View Full Version : cmos password?
Hi, new member here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> nice to be here!<BR><BR>Anyway here's my problem.<BR>I have an old p3/800mhz computer that I want to try and overclock <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0"> but I can't get into my bios set-up because of a password(prolly set by manufacturer?) that prevents me from even getting into the cmos set-up utility(If you haven't guessed I'm not very computer savvy) I have read articles that say to remove the battery from the motherboard for a period of time.......and this will reset everything?? If this happens will this computer retain all previous settings? I can't even get in so I can't record what the settings are now, so I don't really want to do this. Is there another way to reset just the password so I can get in there?<BR><BR>my motherboard is a:<BR>atx P6VAP-A+ WITH integrated sound<BR><BR>Am I just talking out my ass?<BR>any help would be appreciated.
Hey Dumass! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Welcome to PCStats!<BR><BR>Do you have the manual for your mobo handy? Resetting the CMOS via the clear CMOS jumper should get rid of your BIOS password.
who was this computer made by?<BR><BR>you may not even have the option to overclock it. <BR><BR>but yeah you will have to reset your bios. but dont worry .. restoring the settings isnt hard at all and i am sure we could help you on getting them back if you get stuck somewhere on it.
I dunno who made the computer, it says IPC Personal Computers on the front.<BR><BR>anyhoo, I'm looking at the manual right now.........how will clearing the cmos memory affect the system? will it still be operable?<BR>Will I be able to restore the settings I'm about to erase?
CompSnake
06-15-04, 02:25 PM
<br><br><< <i>Hey Dumass! Welcome to PCStats! </i> >><br><br><BR>that was rude
Oh, IPC... Hey another Canuck in the forums! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Dumass clearing the CMOS just sets all the hardware to run at default, it does not mess with your data... It will remain stable and you shouldn't have any problems. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Pimpin Joe is right though, I doubt you'll have many if any overclocking options with that board. <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ecsusa.com/products/p6vap_a.html">ECS</a> does not usually allow for overclocking with their boards... I assume that's what your board looks like right?
Err.. ya that't the one.<BR>oh well, At least it didn't cost me anything <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
<br><br><< <i>Err.. ya that't the one.<BR>oh well, At least it didn't cost me anything <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"></i> >><br><br>Hey don't give up! It is still possible for you to oc your machine via software. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> You'll need to know who makes the clock generator, once you find that out, try your hand at SoftFSB or CPUFSB. Both programs allow you to increase your FSB within Windows!
Thanks for your help so far!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> How can I find out who made the clock generator?<BR><BR>Hmmmm. Now I'm thinking along the lines of putting a new processer in the machine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR>I'm leaning towards an Athlon xp 2400-2700, somewhere in this range. Problem is now that I don't think the current motherboard (the atx P6VAP-A+) will be able to handle a new processer cause it's pretty old <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> How can I find out if I will need a new one once I pick an appropriate processer for me? I went to the amd homepage and couldn't find that board anywhere. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>oh, and thanks again dood <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif" border="0">
Dumass you'll have to take a very close look at your motherboard and find a chip that resembles the one in the picture... <BR><BR><img src="http://members.lycos.co.uk/csmo/Forum/clock_gen.jpg"><BR><BR>Once you find your download <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.podien.onlinehome.de/CPUFSB.HTM">CPUFSB</a> or <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.voodoofiles.com/250">SoftFSB</a>.. Hopefully they'll have your clock generator there. If you find it, you can overclock. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Dumass, if you want to get something newer, you;ll need a new MB... Athlon's and P4's do not fit into P3 sockets. What's your budget? What do you wnat out of your motherboard?
well I'm gonna have about $1500.00 to start with in a couple of months. Thats hopefully gonna get me a Processer, Motherboard(case if needed) and maybe a sound card, cause the motherboard has built-in sound. I would like the motherboard to be overclockable and up gradable, you know.. all the bells and whistles...Cause I'm going to save another $1500.00 to put into the comuter soon after I get the processer and motherboard. Hopefully I will be able to pretty much have an entirely new machine when all is said and done <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> I will prolly keep upgrading for as long as I can.<BR>only limiting factor is my knowledge I guess <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
Nice! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> With $1500 you can get a pretty good system setup!<BR><BR>It's difficult to recommend a motherboard/processor at the moment because technology advances so quickly... But don't worry, when the time is right, I'm sure you'll be swarmed with pros and cons of both Intel and AMD! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I would not want to get a mobo with built in audio though, most of the time you're gonna get AC-97 which is garbage. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> You're much better off going with a hardware PCI soundcard! <br><br><< <i>I will prolly keep upgrading for as long as I can. only limiting factor is my knowledge I guess <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"></i> >><br><br>Never fear! That's what we're for, we'll give you a hand. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
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