Hi, I have a frustrating situation here and I hope that you guys can help. A friend of mine gave me several computers that his work was getting rid of due to an upgrade. They are quite nice and I was all excited to get one set up as a server to replace the old one I have been using. Now comes the frustration! I pop the Ubuntu disk in and boot up the system just to discover that it won't boot from the CD. No problem I say to myself, I'll just go into the BIOS and change the settings so it will. So I reboot, hit delete to enter the BIOS setup menu just to discover that it is password protected!!! GRRRR So I call my buddy and ask him about it. He calls the company that services their computers and they won't give him the password. I am in the process of trying to get my hands on the manual for the motherboard to figure out how to reset the BIOS but after a week I am getting nowhere!! So what I am wondering is if there is a way to start the installation disk from the DOS prompt? I poked around on the disk but couldn't find any way of doing it. I really appreciate any help anyone could offer!! Thanks so much Andy
If the BIOS allows a PXE boot, you could try this: http://www.howtoforge.com/ubuntu_pxe_install_server Otherwise, the last option might be to install Ubuntu on another system (with similar hardware) and then simply put the hard drive with Ubuntu on it into the password-protected system.
The easiest way to remove the BIOS Password is to either Close the Bios reset Jumper, or plain ol' yank the BIOS battery. Pulling the battery and waiting a good few minutes will deferentially solve the Password problem
I opened the computer up with the intention of pulling the battery and I can't seem to be able to locate one anywhere!! I still have had no luck getting the manual for it either. I'm still working on it though! I guess it is these kind of challenges that make this stuff fun!!
You are a lifesaver!!! I checked out that page you listed and tried the Award BIOS cracker. In the blink of an eye I had the password and was able to go in and make the changes I needed! I had no idea that there were programs like that. I guess I learn something new every day! I'm off and running now!! Thanks again! Andy
