Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
Disabling forgotten password:
Power off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
Remove the system cover.
Move the jumper on the system board jumper from pins 2 and 4 to pins 4 and 6.
Install the system cover.
The existing passwords are not disabled (erased) until the system boots with the jumper on pins 4 and 6. However, before you assign a new system and/or setup password, you must move the jumper back to pins 2 and 4.
NOTE: If you assign a new system and/or setup password with the jumper on pins 4 and 6, the system disables the new password(s) the next time it boots.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and power on the system, including any attached peripherals.
Power off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
Remove the system cover.
Move the jumper on the system board jumper from pins 4 and 6 to pins 2 and 4.
Install the system cover.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and power on the system, including any attached peripherals.
Assign a new system and/or setup password.