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December 11th, 2014 06:00
CMOS settings wrong
A scammer locked me out of my PC (Vostro 430, Wind 7), by installing a Pw and something else which prevented restarting with the Windows disc. After removing and replacing the CMOS battery, and changing the jumper, startup brings me to the American Megatrends page with options to push F1 or F2, none of which achieves anything. Pushing any F-button during start up doesn't help either.
Most things done by men van be undone by men.
Who can help
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DELL-Shawn B
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540 Posts
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December 16th, 2014 12:00
Hi advanooststoom,
Thanks for the post. It sounds like your system has a BIOS level password. These passwords will prompt before windows and prevent he system from booting to the hard drive or other media. Check out page 9-10 of the service manual, linked below, for details of clearing BIOS / system passwords on the Vostro 430.
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
1. Follow the procedures in 'Before Working inside Your Computer'. (See manual)
2. Remove the Cover.
3. Locate the 3-pin password connector (PSWD) on the system board.
4. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and place it on pins 1 and 2.
5. Wait for approximately five seconds to clear the password.
6. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 and replace it on pins 2 and 3 to enable the password feature.
7. Replace the Cover.
Vostro 430 - Manuals & documentation
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/vostro-430/manuals
Clearing Notebook & Desktop BIOS Passwords
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19600657
Thanks,