8
Password security and resetting CMOS
This computer supports security password features, which can be established through the Computer Setup
Utilities menu.
This computer supports two security password features that are established through the Computer Setup
Utilities menu: administrator password and power-on password. When you establish only an administrator
password, any user can access all the information on the computer except Computer Setup. When you
establish only a power-on password, the power-on password is required to access Computer Setup and any
other information on the computer. When you establish both passwords, only the administrator password will
give you access to Computer Setup.
When both passwords are set, the administrator password can also be used in place of the power-on
password as an override to log in to the computer. This is a useful feature for a network administrator.
If you forget one or both passwords, you can clear all passwords by powering off the system, opening
the cover, temporarily removing the CLR_PSWD jumper, and booting once. This will erase the administrator
and power-on passwords. You must restore the jumper to create new passwords.
The computer’s configuration memory (CMOS) stores information about the computer’s configuration.
The CMOS jumper resets CMOS but does not clear the power-on and setup passwords.
CAUTION:
Resetting the CMOS with power removed will reset the BIOS settings to factory defaults. It may
be useful to back up the BIOS settings or save them as custom defaults before resetting them in case they are
needed later. Back up can be performed in Computer Setup or using the BiosConfigUtility tool available from
www.hp.com. See
Computer Setup (F10) Utility on page 22
for information on backing up the BIOS settings.
Resetting CMOS resets BIOS settings to default, but does not clear the passwords or affect any of the other
Security settings. On Intel systems with advanced manageability features, resetting CMOS will also partially
unprovision AMT.
CAUTION:
Stringent security is a mode where there is no physical bypass of the password function. If
enabled, removing the password jumper will be ignored. To enable this mode, change the security setting
Clear Password Jumper in Password Policies to Ignore.
If you lose or forget the password when in stringent security mode, the system can only be reset by System
Management Command. This is a way for HP Service and Support to provide a secure method to access
the BIOS and command a password reset for a specifically identified unit under the direction of
the owner. This scenario may not be covered under warranty.
To prevent needing a customer service event to restore access to the system, record your configured
administrator and power-on passwords in a safe place away from your computer.
NOTE:
You will receive POST error messages after clearing CMOS and rebooting advising you that
configuration changes have occurred. Use Computer Setup to reset any special system setups along with
the date and time.
CAUTION:
It is important to back up the computer CMOS settings before resetting them in case they are
needed later. Back up is easily done through Computer Setup. See
Computer Setup (F10) Utility on page 22
for
information on backing up the CMOS settings.
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Chapter 8 Password security and resetting CMOS
