Booting your computer with Password Reset - BIOS/Setup

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you feel you need help with changing the boot order of your computer. We will be happy to assist you by researching your particular computer model for the proper steps.

As computers evolve, they are becoming more user friendly as far as changing the boot order compared to a few years or so back. Many now allow you to hit just one simple key upon boot-up in order to get a temporary boot device menu. In most cases, the F12 key is used. We recommend trying this first, since it is the easiest method available.

Below is what the very first screen you see immediately after you power on your computer might look like. There are many variations of this screen, so we only have enough room to give a basic example. In this case Dell. This is commonly referred to as the splash screen. It usually has the computer brand name and typically will display the proper key to hit in order to access the computer Setup (BIOS) or Boot Menu as discussed earlier.

Notice the area with the red line around it (the red lines will not actually be on the screen). Most splash screens will have this located somewhere in order to tell you what key to press in order to access the BIOS/Setup or temporary boot menu (usually F12) This information will usually be in one of the corners of the screen. Please note that this splash screen will usually only appear for a second or two, so you must react fast in order to press the key in time. If you miss the opportunity, simply reboot and try again. Tapping the proper key as soon as you press power will usually get the job done. Don't be alarmed if you hear some beeping in the process. Just stop pressing the key if you do.

If your computer has the option of pressing F12, you will usually get a menu similar to the one below, with the option to select which boot device you want to boot from. Just select the number for the device you are trying to boot from. For instance, if you created our boot CD, then press the number representing the CD drive. In our example it is #4.

Depending on your computers make and model #, your screens will look different, but should have similar sections for you to choose your boot device. Usually CD, DVD or the term Optical Drive will be used. You will need to choose which one you feel is correct. Trying different choices until you locate the proper one is an acceptable way to do it.

If F12 isn't an option for you, then you will need to resort to selecting the computer Setup or BIOS instead. The BIOS is usually accessed by pressing the F2 key most of the time, but other keys may be used such as F1, Del, Esc or even others. The following website has some information on commonly used keys in order to access the BIOS on many computers and should help you locate the proper one for yours. CLICK HERE

Once you have found the appropriate key to enter your computers BIOS, you will then need to find the Boot Priority or Boot Order section to adjust it and put the device of your choice ahead of the hard drive. This will cause your computer to seek our software first and boot correctly in order for you to reset your password.

Since there are so many different BIOS variations available now days, we won't confuse you by showing examples that may result in confusing you more than helping you. However, if you have any difficulties locating your BIOS or the proper section required to change the boot order, we encourage you to contact us. We can then research your computer's brand and model # for the correct information specific to it and provide you with the correct information pertaining to your BIOS so you can adjust it the proper way.

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