Security and passwords

Security and passwords

The ability to set the user and supervisor password for the BIOS and the CMOS data is included on a

separate menu or in the advanced features menu on older systems.

If the user password is set, the computer isn't allowed to boot until the proper password is entered. The supervisor password protects the BIOS program's settings and the system configuration. Without the supervisor password, a user can't access the BIOS settings, but the system will boot. If you choose to set either of these passwords, you put yourself in the situation of really needing to remember them, but there are second chances.

If you forget the user password and remember the supervisor password, you can enter the BIOS setup data and clear or change the user password. If you forget both passwords, you're stuck. Your only recourse is to open the computer and use the password-clear jumper located on the motherboard near the CMOS chip and its battery. You can also clear the CMOS settings, including all advanced settings that you may have changed and the passwords, by removing the CMOS battery.  That's one reason that you want to keep a backup copy of the system setup written down and kept in a safe place.