The CMOS holds its data when the computer is shut off because a small
recharagable battery on the motherboard keeps it supplied with a tiny
electric current. Let the battery run down by keeping the computer off
for a long time. The time varies with the quality of the battery.
The battery is usually strongly glued to the motherboard. Some people
remove the battery when it no longer can be recharged by the computer,
but it can be tricky. You might damage the motherboard trying to remove
a permanently attached battery. Some batteries on a minority of 386
motherboards are external. They can be replaced easily. If you have
a replacable battery, just disconnect it from the motherboard and the
CMOS ( which holds the password ) will be erased. Otherwise, be patient.
Unplug the computer and let it sit for a few weeks. Once the CMOS is
erased ( and this will be very obvious since you'll have touble booting
) let the computer run for a day or two to recharge the battery. You
will not be able to use it until the battery recharges. Now this is
VERY IMPORTANT! Before allowing the CMOS battery to run down, or before
removing a replacable battery, write down all the imformation held by
the CMOS! Your computer needs this information to boot properly and to
recognize all your gagets, like hard dirves, floppy drives, monitor etc.
You should have a message on your screen when the computer boots, asking
if you want to access the BIOS. This area will have the needed CMOS
information. Write it all down! And don't loose it! Then shut down the
computer, unplug it, and let it sit. Eventually the battery will run
down and the CMOS, with the password, will be erased. Once you can boot
without the password problem, let the computer run for a day or 2 to
recharge the battery. Then access the BIOS area and type back the lost
CMOS information. That's all there is too it, as far as I know.
--- QScan/PCB v1.17b / 01-0105
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