Member Avatar for awittyusername

Hi everyone,

Does anybody know how to reset the CMOS chip on a Sony Vaio VGN-T1XP? I've tried to download the user manual from Sony's website but I can't do it on a works PC and my Vaio was my only other web access, and I'm not even certain it would be in there!

I've read on other posts all over the web that it might not be as simple to do on a laptop as it is on a desktop by just swapping the jumpers or removing the battery.

I don't even know where the CMOS battery is on this model though if it even has one.

Can anyone help me out? Just so you know, it's because I don't know the BIOS password and the PC wont get past post as it can't find the OS, I need to re-install but can't set it to boot from CD. I got the laptop off my mate who set the BIOS password and now he's gone to live in Cyprus!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by arunrswamy

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Short practical summary and next steps tied to what happened here: removing the main battery can sometimes let a Vaio boot again (as saw) but that is not a reliable way to clear a BIOS/machine (supervisor) password on many Sony VAIOs. Sony’s support documentation says BIOS passwords should be handled by a technician at an authorized Sony service center, so start there if the machine is legitimately owned and you can provide proof (serial number, purchase info). (sony.com)

If DIY is still wanted, first get the official service manual for the VGN‑T1XP and read the disassembly and safety sections. Some VAIO motherboards include a service jumper that exposes a “Clear All Passwords” maintenance option when moved (Sony documents this procedure for applicable boards), but that is model‑dependent and requires careful ESD grounding, correct jumper handling, and reassembly. If the manual for VGN‑T1XP shows the jumper and you are comfortable working inside notebooks, follow the manual exactly; otherwise stop and use professional service. (sony.com)

If Sony cannot help or charges are prohibitive, there are specialist repair services that can read/replace the security EEPROM or security chip to recover or clear passwords — this is advanced, may require chip removal or replacement, and carries cost and risk to the board. Before any irreversible work, remove the drive and image it externally to preserve data, document ownership, and get a written estimate from a qualified repair shop. (pwcrack.com)

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Member Avatar for ramjo

Can you try looking for a reset button that's within the laptop? Some laptops have them and reset the whole bios or also try to remove the main battery of the laptop for around 5min that also may work to reset the BIOS.

Member Avatar for awittyusername

I'll try those over my lunch break and get back...

Member Avatar for awittyusername

Well, I couldn't find a small inset reset button but I removed the battery before going to play football (soccer) and when I got back and re-inserted the battery, when turning on it got past post and asked to start in safe mode, which I did. I then restarted and all seems well.

Now to check event viewer etc. to find out what went wrong in the first place...

Member Avatar for awittyusername

I'll also check this evening to see if it did indeed reset the BIOS settings in case somebody has the same problem in future. Merci ramjo!

Member Avatar for awittyusername

Been a while since I last posted as been busy, but the removal of the battery did not reset the BIOS. I tried removing it and leaving over night and putting back in but no joy, I also tried removing it and holding the power button for 10 seconds but no joy either.

So now I'm stuck and can't get past POST, it either says that it has a timing error or says there is no operating system found.

I also think I know what may have caused all this in the first place. In my drunken stupidity I placed my mates PC speaker on the palm rest of my laptop above where the HDD is probably located. D'oh!

Any ideas???

Member Avatar for weservechicago

In most of the new laptops the password is not stored in the BIOS. It is stored in a Security chip that will never reset when you disconnect the battery. Do not waste your time opening your computer and unplugging the battery. You have two options.
1.If the computer is a Sony you are a bit lucky. Sony will give you the password if you are the legitimate owner of the computer and if the computer is still under warranty. If not they will charge you $30. Other companies (IBM-Lenovo) will charge you up $700 to replace the motherboard. On Dells and on Vaios the manufacturer has a backdoor password.
2. If Sony can't help you there is another way to get the password. It is not simple. You need to completely disassemble the laptop, find the security chip, buy (or build) a hardware interface and a software that will read the eeprom (the security chip). In US there is a handfull of PC technicians who do that. Find one in your city or if you leave in Chicagoland email weservechicago at gmail.com ()

Member Avatar for mario montano

does any body can help me to reset bios password for sony vaio vgn-ns235j laptop

Member Avatar for mario montano

sony bios password reset

trying to reset bios password on a sony vgn-ns235j any body give me an idea.

Member Avatar for crunchie

sony bios password reset

trying to reset bios password on a sony vgn-ns235j any body give me an idea.

Hi mario montano.

First of all- welcome to Daniweb :).

This is a forum and not a chat room. You cannot expect an answer within a couple of minutes, so no need to post twice :).

We ask that members not piggy-back questions on to a thread previously started by another member here in the Viruses, Spyware & other Nasties forum, (regardless of how similar your problem might seem). Not only does it divert the focus of the thread away from the original poster's problem, but it also makes it less likely that you yourself will get the individual attention that you need.

Please start your own thread and post your question there. When you do, please try to give us as much specific info as possible regarding the problem (exact error messages, system specs, etc.).

For a full description of our posting guidelines and general rules of conduct, please see this page:

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Thanks for understanding.

Member Avatar for arunrswamy

Hello I have a vgn-cs14 vaio laptop which gets stuck on the vaio splash at the start. I am trying a way to reset the bios but still unsuccessful. Can you please help me with this. Thanks in advance...

Edited by arunrswamy because: spelling error
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