BIOS update now asking for password?

Anderbens
Anderbens Member Posts: 2 New User
edited September 2023 in 2019 Archives
I have an Aspire V5-571 laptop.  I updated the BIOS using the appropriate download from this website, rebooted the machine, now it is asking for a BIOS password and will not load the operating system.  After three incorrect guesses it provides a different hint key, everything I've looked up about these keys does not help.  I've tried removing the CMOS battery and waiting for two hours, and putting the machine back together.  The machine still asks for a BIOS password.  Why would the ACER provided BIOS update put a password on my machine that blocks any OS from being installed?  What am I supposed to do?  I'm having trouble getting support to assist me as it's out of warranty, but I would pay money to have it removed.  Unfortunately Acer seems content to point people towards *Answersby* which feel like all they want is to take $99 out of my account for nothing.  Just want an answer of whether it's possible to get out of this mess.  

Best Answer

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,865 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Remove the battery, charger, and memory module door on the bottom of the machine. Under one of the memory slots, there should be 2 closely-spaced tabs labelled G2201. While shorting these 2 tabs with a small screw-driver, plug the charger back in and push the power button. The BIOS should POST after which you can remove the shorting screw driver. Shut the machine off. Replace the memory module and battery. Then power up while tapping F2 to enter the BIOS menu. If you still get a password prompt, repeat the above until the password is cleared to enter the BIOS menu. Once inside the BIOS menu, press F9 to load defaults. The F10 to save and exit. Then hope for the best! Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,865 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Remove the battery, charger, and memory module door on the bottom of the machine. Under one of the memory slots, there should be 2 closely-spaced tabs labelled G2201. While shorting these 2 tabs with a small screw-driver, plug the charger back in and push the power button. The BIOS should POST after which you can remove the shorting screw driver. Shut the machine off. Replace the memory module and battery. Then power up while tapping F2 to enter the BIOS menu. If you still get a password prompt, repeat the above until the password is cleared to enter the BIOS menu. Once inside the BIOS menu, press F9 to load defaults. The F10 to save and exit. Then hope for the best! Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Anderbens
    Anderbens Member Posts: 2 New User
    JackE said:
    Remove the battery, charger, and memory module door on the bottom of the machine. Under one of the memory slots, there should be 2 closely-spaced tabs labelled G2201. While shorting these 2 tabs with a small screw-driver, plug the charger back in and push the power button. The BIOS should POST after which you can remove the shorting screw driver. Shut the machine off. Replace the memory module and battery. Then power up while tapping F2 to enter the BIOS menu. If you still get a password prompt, repeat the above until the password is cleared to enter the BIOS menu. Once inside the BIOS menu, press F9 to load defaults. The F10 to save and exit. Then hope for the best! Jack E/NJ

    You're my hero.  A screwdriver wouldn't work because the tabs were a little depressed, but a bit of conductive graphite did the trick.  Password is gone, reinstalling Windows, feels great!
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,865 Trailblazer
    Congrats on your success! Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Khurram707
    Khurram707 Member Posts: 1 New User
    edited March 2019

    Hi there,
    I am using Acer Aspire 7 A715-715 and I activated "pre boot password" from Acer fingerprint app name PBA(pre boot authentication). The problem is right after activating this application my system got restarted and asking to "enter current password". I entered the password but it says "password check fail!!" After 3 attempts it says "enter unlock password (key: 1106012817)". I've attached the snaps as well. where can I get the unlock password?

  • We can not provide any method for unlocking bios! Have you tried uninstalling the program Acer PBA?
    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • Aymane
    Aymane Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer

    I am in the same desperate situation as this guy. My laptop is an Aspire 5 a515-51G. I don't know exactly where these two tabs are located in the motherboard. I have uploaded Images of it in here : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M0L1xm9KOTEtK7SAKUNssbhjCunOCzcz?usp=sharing
    Are the two pins that I should short the ones labeled CD237 ?
  • Has this notebook ever come with a password on uefi, or did you just forget your password?
    Oi! Eu não sou sou a cortana! Mas estou aqui para ajudar! Hi! I'm not the cortana! But I'm here to help!
    Se você gostou da minha resposta, marque como solução clicando em sim! If you liked my answer, mark it as a solution by clicking on yes!
    Aceite somente a resposta que ajudou a solucionar o seu problema! Please accept only the response that helped to solve your problem!
    Detection tool click here to find the serial number or partnumber of your model!                                                          
                                                      
                                                     egydiocoelho Trailblazer
     
    ProductKey clique aqui para descobrir o serial do windows! click here to discover the windows serial!
    Para usuários da comunidade inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã, usarei o google tradutor! :)
    For users of the English, Spanish, French and German community, I will be using google translator! :) 
  • Harvey-Acer_Retired
    Harvey-Acer_Retired Member Posts: 330 Seasoned Practitioner WiFi Icon
    Hi Khurram707,Aymane

    Unfortunately we do not allow/provide direct support or discuss any steps on unlocking BIOS passwords or bypassing of security features. (Please check/ review our Acer Community User Agreement

    We recommend contacting your local Acer support for better assistance: https://www.acer.com/ac/en/ID/content/partner-bali

    Note: We will be closing this thread. 

    Thanks,
    Acer-Harvey
    Smile :)
This discussion has been closed.