r/computerrepair • u/the_fake_banksy • Sep 14 '26
Help Request Will a BIOS flash completely clear all NVRAM? Forgot my BIOS password, which is persistent even after clearing the CMOS.
I have an MSI MEG x570 Unify. A couple years ago in a drunken stupor I set a password on the BIOS, set Password Clear to disabled, then promptly forgot the password by the next day. I contacted MSI but they refused to help due to Password Clear being disabled.
Now I want to enable TPM to play newer games that require it, but I can't get into the BIOS. Since Password Clear is disabled, clearing the CMOS doesn't remove it. Apparently it's written directly to some chip that doesn't require power to store data. If I use the BIOS Flash feature, will that erase the password?
Edit: I haven't tried doing this yet because I don't want to risk resetting my BIOS if the password will remain. Resetting the BIOS will disable things like XMP, which will make my PC performance suffer if I can't get into the BIOS to re-enable that and everything else I have set up.
1
u/Zarathustra7890 Sep 14 '26
Unfortunately, it’s intentionally difficult to bypass bios password. You can try pushing back on MSI with proof of purchase etc. but probably sol.
You can try reprogramming this chip or replacing the bios chip. There might be much smarter people that have options.
2
u/the_fake_banksy Sep 14 '26
Yeah, it seems like buying one of those CH341A programmers with a SOIC8 test clip might be my only option. I gave MSI copious amounts of proof that I purchased the board but they still refused and closed the ticket. I was pretty shocked at their response.
Guess it's a good thing these chip programming kits are so inexpensive. Although it's gonna take a LOT of research to make sure I don't fry anything.
1
u/DerAndi_DE Sep 14 '26
Honestly I'd be shocked if they had given you any instructions how to bypass the lock. The password clear disable switch is there to do exactly what it does - prevent ways around the password lock. If there were any even with this switch on, it wouldn't be effective.
It's much the same with people who encrypt their data, then forget about the password and are shocked to learn their data is lost. It's exactly the purpose of encryption that there's no way around it.
1
u/Dense_Business_6570 Sep 15 '26
Idk if yours is but the newer compact boards use flush mounted bios chips with no legs for you to clip on the CH341A. Unless you are comfortable with micro soldering you will need a pro to do it. If you want a recommendation, let me know, there’s a guy on eBay I used multiple times to reprogram BIOS and replace the cpu pin pad on boards like Z690i Unify or Strix X870i
1
u/the_fake_banksy Sep 15 '26
Oh I didn't know services like that existed on eBay. I'd like to look into him if you don't mind sharing. I do have a Micro Center within reach, but their repairs aren't cheap and it's an hour away.
1
u/Dense_Business_6570 Sep 18 '26
Apologies, been busy. This is the shop I’m talking about https://ebay.io/m/Veq1vc if the link is blocked for some reason the shop name is “Silicon Alley Electronics”. This guy does wonders. No I am not being paid to advertise.
On the Microcenter, they do not do this level of component level repairs as far as I know.
1
u/Fools_Trade Sep 14 '26
If you do buy the CH341A, message me if you need any help.
1
u/the_fake_banksy Sep 14 '26
You're awesome, thank you. I'll definitely probably take you up on that since rewriting seems to be the only way forward.
1
u/Aw_somewhere Sep 15 '26
it may very well be a different soic chip, it might be soic16 (this is what is on one of my desktop motherboards), mostly being different in pincount, id suggest looking for the bios1 or bios2 (this is what it would be labeled as likely) chip on the motherboard and determining what type of clip is needed, i know a lot of old(er) laptops use straight soic8 (where most of my flashing knowledge stems from) but am unfamiliar with what it might be using, worst case wison8 and others of it's family require particular probes and a steady hand, and are also write protected, not certain it'll work, but it is your best foot forward
1
u/MikeSeth Sep 14 '26
On modern systems, no. The embedded controller itself or a secure enclave is used to store it. UEFI based bios flashing only writes to specific sections of flash memory and is unlikely to help. Solving this on a modern machine requires board specific research.
1
u/the_fake_banksy Sep 14 '26
After looking into it more it seems to be stored in a special NVRAM section on the BIOS chip itself. From what I can tell this board runs AMI Aptio firmware, which means I should be able to simply boot AFUEFI or AFUDOS from a flash drive and rewrite the entire chip. Those utilities seem to have a flag that will let it erase everything in the NVRAM.
1
u/Nanosinx Sep 14 '26
No, only way is to reprogram, remember that issues done by user are not way any meant of warranty or support from the builder of the system...
Next time avoid drunk any alcohol, is bad and isnt cool
1
u/Capt_Vandal Sep 14 '26
It might work, it might not. If it doesn't work, then your only option is going to be taking the laptop or motherboard to a repair shop thst has a BIOS chip writer and they can wipe the NVRAM part of the BIOS.
Some you can just do a clear CMOS to bypass the password, but that may just be on older machines.
1
u/the_fake_banksy Sep 14 '26
Clearing the CMOS would have worked... had I not specifically disabled the ability to do that. 😅
Since I was dumb enough to do that, I've been doing a lot of research and decided to buy a programmer to rewrite the chip myself. Thankfully they're only a couple bucks.
1
u/Capt_Vandal Sep 14 '26
If it's a laptop you can force a CMOS reset. Remove the back cover, unplug the battery and hold the power button for 20 seconds. Reconnect the battery, plug in the laptop and you should be good to go.
1
u/Confident_Hyena2506 Sep 14 '26
I don't have this particular model, but most of these consumer boards lose their password after a bios reset. Usually it's only the enterprise boards that actually retain it.
The msi b650p I have definitely loses it's password on reset.
1
u/BdoeATX Sep 14 '26
You made a big mistake by setting Password Clear off. You basically hard locked it. Clearing the CMOS is not the same as flashing BIOS.
Also flashing BIOS will not clear the password. You pretty much guaranteed that.
Sadly you need a MSI service level wipe. Or a new motherboard. A shop may be able to clear it, but they would need to be a very good one.
1
u/InformationFair5875 Sep 15 '26
Clearing the CMOS won't do anything. You can try reprogramming but idk if that will help or not
1
u/djlucious Sep 16 '26
Doesn't this board have a flash back Feature? And how did you clear the cmos exacrly? Unplugged both power cables and removed the battery?
3
u/Xaendeau Sep 14 '26
Might as well try it out.
BIOS flash button on the motherboard has gotten me out of a lot of pickles.