Reset Sony Vaio Bios Password

Step 1

Back up the hard drive to optical discs, an external hard drive or a network location to safeguard any important files.

Step 2

Shut down the computer by clicking "Start" (Windows Orb) and choosing "Shut Down."

Step 3

Disconnect the Sony notebook power adapter cable from the wall and from the back of the laptop.

Step 4

Close the lid and flip the notebook over to expose the bottom screws and compartments.

Step 5

Remove the main battery from the bottom of the Sony notebook.

Step 6

Remove the compartment covers for the RAM and the hard drive.

Step 7

Remove the hard drive by unscrewing the bracket that holds the drive in place and pulling gently on the drive until it disengages from the socket.

Step 8

Remove the RAM by spreading the small metal retention clips that hold it into place, and then pivoting the RAM up slightly and pulling it out of the sockets.

Step 9

Remove each of the small screws from the bottom of the Sony notebook, and place them on a clean, flat surface in a pattern that represents which hole each screw came from.

Step 10

Gently flip the Sony notebook right-side up and open the lid.

Step 11

Separate the base of the Sony notebook from the upper case by gently pressing the plastic knife or credit card into the seam and pulling the top away from the bottom.

Step 12

Disconnect the wire that connects the small coin cell battery pack to the motherboard, or remove the coin cell battery from the socket, depending upon the model of the Sony notebook. Some models may require that the motherboard be removed from the case in order to access the battery.

Step 13

Wait one hour with the battery disconnected and reassemble. The BIOS password will be cleared and the computer will boot into the BIOS setup program or to the operating system. This process does not clear any operating system passwords.

TIP

• Reset a known BIOS password on Sony notebook computers by entering BIOS setup using the "F10" key on startup. Enter the existing password, and navigate to the security screen in the BIOS setup program to choose a new password. Consult the owner's manual for specific instructions on particular Sony models. Use a blank piece of paper to set the screws as they are removed, marking them or arranging them as necessary. It is important to replace the exact same screw into each hole that it came out of as there are often several different sizes of screws.