Need to do something for Dell Optiplex computer (example install newer operating system) but some smart person has moved hard drive first on boot sequence order and added password for bios? Well.. then you just need to rest BIOS password which is pretty easy with Dell Optiplex computers.
You just have to find one jumper which is normally under hard drive. This works at least with Dell Optiplex 6xx and 7xx series.
Jumper is normally marked with text “PSWD” and it’s pretty easy to find because it’s probably blue/green when other jumpers are black and smaller.
First of all shutdown your computer and unplug power supply cable from back of your computer.
Open the case and you should see hard drive. Remove it (no need to unplug cables) and you should see “PSWD” labeled jumper under the hard drive.
Remove the jumper and plug power cord back to computer and turn on the computer. You should soon see “password” removed” text on the screen.
Power off your computer and unplug power cord again. Now you just need to put jumper back where you removed it and put hard drive back and close the cover.
Plug power supply cable again back and turn on your computer. If you hit F2 right away when you see text on the screen you should access the BIOS menu and you should notice that password is gone now and you can access everything on BIOS and you can even change password if you want (no need to do that).
Category: 
Thanks guys this was very helpful
IT pro 30 years. never quite saw this one before.
You saved me! Thanks.
I’ve tried this four times now on a used Optiplex 990 but it does not reset the password.
Am I missing something for this particular model? Is there an EEPROM chip or something or could it be stored in the RAM somehow? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot, it was working :)
perfect for fx160
How do i reset my dell optiplex 790 bios password? I have checked but there is no jumper on the motherboard. Please help!
Funcionó perfecto en un Dell Optiplex 790
I just used this on a Dell Optiplex 790 – what was not clear is just how titchy tiny it is! So titchy tiny! but it worked perfectly. Thanks for posting it.
What the Serica tag number on a Dell OptiPlex 160 L
Perfect
You are great.
Thanks
Regards
Ross
Open the case and you should see hard drive. Remove it (no need to unplug cables) and you should see “PSWD” labeled jumper under the hard drive.
Worked perfectly on a Dell Optiplex 7010 SFF. Thank you so much!
Jack I’m having a lot of trouble getting past my password on my 790…. any tips not listed specifically in this?
Also working perfectly on a dell optiplex 790
Yup yup!password’s a goner!but now Windows failed to install 1or more components. Help?
This worked perfect to remove a system password on a Dell GX520. Thanks!
This worked perfect to remove a system password on a Dell GX520. Thanks!
Awesome it worked.
The blue jumper is straight up from the battery about 5 or 6 inches.