Dell desktop, 32 bit VISTA. Machine was on for several months. After a recent shutdown, can't get PC to boot. BIOS process stops at point where it requests entry of system password. Owner has never entered a Password and has no records showing what it might be. The DELL supplied reinstall DVD is not being seen in the boot process. F2 and F12 keys do not override this and do not open the BIOS. Is there another way to enter the BIOS? I'd like to avoid reflashing the BIOS. Is the CMOS on a 2007 DELL desktop likely to have some manual method of returning the BIOS to its default settings? I don't yet have access to a bootable CD for VISTA. Will a bootable CD get by the password screen? If not I believe resetting the CMOS may be the solution.
cdever
cdever