# Locked Out of Computer!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 21, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798 "2017-07-21T14:09:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/1 "2017-07-21T14:09:22Z")
Dell Optiplex 750, 8 gig ram, 1 Tb hard drive.
My problem: After a cold boot the computer booted up to a dos screen asking for a Microsoft password. I have one and typed it in. And in. The password was refused every time. I know the password is correct because I’ve used it before in this situation.
How can I by-pass this screen and get into my computer?
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### Author:  [@Seren359](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren359)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/2 "2017-07-21T15:30:18Z")
That sounds rather like a damaged hard drive.
Be careful what you do if there are valuable files on it.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/3 "2017-07-21T15:52:54Z")
Is there a jumper on the motherboard that you can remove to clear the BIOS password?
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### Author:  [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/4 "2017-07-21T17:55:31Z")
> [@Seren359](#):
>
> That sounds rather like a damaged hard drive.
> Be careful what you do if there are valuable files on it.
That’s what I was thinking. If the data on the drive is important, I would have the drive physically removed and put it in an external drive enclosure or in a drive slot in a tower and do a backup of the drive.
But first I would call Dell support.
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/5 "2017-07-21T18:15:10Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Is there a jumper on the motherboard that you can remove to clear the BIOS password?
^^This. It sounds like this is a password set in the BIOS. If so there is usually a jumper in the computer that will clear it. You will have to refer to the PC’s manual to know which one will do it.
The OP also might consider trying a different keyboard. It could be the one being used is flaking out. Easy thing to try.
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### Author:  [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/6 "2017-07-21T18:18:54Z")
Why do you say it is a Microsoft password? What exactly does the screen say?
If it’s a DOS-looking screen and doesn’t actually mention Windows or Microsoft, then most likely a BIOS password has been set. That is a system-wide password that works at a lower level than the operating system. [This article](https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln284985/how-to-perform-a-bios-or-cmos-reset-and-or-clear-the-nvram-on-your-dell-system?lang=en) has information about a jumper that will reset/bypass the BIOS password.
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### Author:  [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-out-of-computer/791798/7 "2017-07-22T12:58:50Z")
could also be as simple as op forgetting to click the “numlock” key on keyboard _(if pw contains numeric)_. or, back in the 90’s … if one left a floppy _(diskette)_ in the drive while booting … same would happen. so … would a usb, or other peripheral, show similar symptoms?