Dead battery and BIOS Access

[fwfarr]

I was fixing up an old computer which a friend of mine had been given and, among others, I found two things wrong. The clock didn't maintain the time while the computer was off so the battery was dead. I tried to access the BIOS and couldn't because it asked for a password (which I/he didn't have). Is the request for a password for the BIOS related to the battery being dead or did the former owner likely actually use a password?

[Rick]

Some Bios allow a password to be set
It's stops people from making unwanted changes or just screwing around in the bios and or stop the system from booting

Check the doc's for the Mother board
You should find a way to clear the bios and password in them

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

I had this problem with an old computer I was setting up once. I just reset the BIOS and it worked fine. If you pull the battery and take it to the store with you to find a replacement, when you get home unplug the computer and press the power switch. This will discharge the capacitors on the board and clear the BIOS. Put the new battery in and power up the computer, you should be able to access the BIOS now....