Can you change bios settings from windows? I really need to..

**Auggie2k** · February 3rd, 2005, 10:59 AM

hey all!

just recently I reset my bios infomation to clear a power-on password, and then I had to reconfigure the bios settings! I thought, cool, that was handy but I was talking to my mate (real computer nut) and he said you cant access it anymore because I reset the bios! now I could live without going into it but I must of missed a setting because my sound card is disabled and they famous computer BEEP! is going to drive me to my early death! so I was wondering if anybody knew how I can change my bios settings from within windows? its a compaq armada laptop and win2k pro installed!

thanks! :mellow

SanDiegoKid · February 3rd, 2005, 12:16 PM

You can't enter bios setup at startup?

Dunno if you tried this, but usually you just hold a certain key at startup.

F1, F2, Del, etc... it varies.

**mcovey** · February 3rd, 2005, 12:26 PM

find the clear cmos jumper on the motherboard and take it off for a while then put it back on, and your motherboard's bios should be cleared.

**cpugeniusmv** · February 3rd, 2005, 12:37 PM

computer nut is a fitting title for your friend. he's incorrect.

you should be able to get into the bios still. Del, F1, and F2 are common keys, as kleenr added.

**Auggie2k** · February 3rd, 2005, 12:42 PM

i know about getting into the bios at startup and it doesnt work. i just simply want to know can you edit the bios in windows?? i heard there was a file deep in the computer that you could tweak like the registry, u know 1 for enabled 0 for disabled ect...

**cpugeniusmv** · February 3rd, 2005, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Auggie2k

i know about getting into the bios at startup and it doesnt work. i just simply want to know can you edit the bios in windows?? i heard there was a file deep in the computer that you could tweak like the registry, u know 1 for enabled 0 for disabled ect...

windows does not include a feature to edit bios settings. if such a tool exists for your motherboard, it would be supplied by the motherboard manufacturer on a CD or on their website.

**Auggie2k** · February 3rd, 2005, 01:25 PM

shit! :mellow

SanDiegoKid · February 3rd, 2005, 01:45 PM

So, are you trying to get into someone else's bios without taking the case apart and removing jumpers and batteries?

**infringer** · February 3rd, 2005, 02:26 PM

Many versions of the bios have settings that you can tweak within the bios or they even have what is labled as high preformance defaults... You aint going to tweak nothing in windows but the hierarchal database known as your registry. To get to the bios on most computers use the bios delete key. First I reccomend that you have a knowladge of the bios and what to tweak which can be aquired easily online... Once you gather your information then tweak the Basic Input Output System BIOS or the Copper Metal Oxide Semiconductor CMOS settings... If you have forgotten a password to your bios you can remove the battery from the PC for a while and be sure the PC is unplugged while doing so and for good measure you should still be grounded. Leave the battery out of the PC for a while then place it back in and your bios settings should be reset.

-infringer-

**infringer** · February 4th, 2005, 01:37 AM

The area you were referring to is probably the ESCD area I am guessing or somewhere around there this is used for plug and play settings...

Theres a picture of where this is located...

People sometimes increase the system bus frequency by setting it above the optimal value so as to increase the speed of older systems... If the new setting is within 20% of the optimal value a system may work but this will shorten the processors life and will automatically void any warranty on the system.... Greater variations then this may cause lockups or poor functionality. A mismatch in core and bus speed may return erronous results...

-infringer-

**DigitalJunkie** · February 4th, 2005, 01:52 AM

If you know the maker of your bios & mobo manufacturer, the manufacturer's web site may have utility to flush the bios & update the bios within Windows & without opening your laptop!

**infringer** · February 4th, 2005, 11:36 AM

If you know the maker of your bios & mobo manufacturer, the manufacturer's web site may have utility to flush the bios & update the bios within Windows & without opening your laptop!

Yes MSI is a good company that has what they call the live update utility.

I love MSI motherboards and products such as there video cards they make more twords the high end type products for a competitive price as well.

-infringer-

**Lehk** · February 4th, 2005, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by kleenr

So, are you trying to get into someone else's bios without taking the case apart and removing jumpers and batteries?

sounds like it, clearing CMOS will not block you from entering bios setup, actually i think mine forces you into setup when it detects that CMOS has been reset.

**infringer** · February 4th, 2005, 06:52 PM

Possible NVRAM configuration in that case you must use a pair of IC extractors and extract and replace...

-infringer-

**chelli614** · May 15th, 2008, 12:33 PM

I used to have a program where you could edit and change bios setting from within Windows itself but the password you still have to open the machine and short the cmos jumpers and resetting it anyway regardless
Anyone know what the name of that program is.Think it was freeware and downloaded it from downloaded.com or hotfiles.com
heard of it on Call for Help a few years ago