The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is a small chip on your computer’s motherboard that stores the BIOS settings. The BIOS is a program that controls the basic functions of your computer, such as the boot order and the memory settings.
If you need to reset your BIOS settings, you can clear the CMOS. This will erase all of the BIOS settings and restore them to their default values.
There are two ways to clear the CMOS:
- Remove the CMOS battery. The CMOS battery is a small, round battery that is usually located near the BIOS chip on the motherboard. To remove the CMOS battery, you will need to use a small screwdriver to loosen the screw that holds it in place. Once the screw is loose, you can carefully remove the battery.
- Short the CMOS jumper. The CMOS jumper is a small set of pins that are located near the BIOS chip on the motherboard. To short the CMOS jumper, you will need to use a small screwdriver to touch the two pins together.
Once you have cleared the CMOS, you will need to restart your computer. The BIOS will then be reset to its default values.
Here are the steps on how to clear your computer’s CMOS to reset BIOS settings:
- Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power outlet.
- Open the case of your computer.
- Locate the CMOS battery.
- Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screw that holds the CMOS battery in place.
- Carefully remove the CMOS battery.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Replace the CMOS battery and tighten the screw.
- Close the case of your computer.
- Plug your computer back into the power outlet and turn it on.
Your computer will now boot up with the BIOS settings reset to their default values.
Here are some things to keep in mind when clearing the CMOS:
- Make sure that your computer is turned off and unplugged from the power outlet before you start.
- Be careful not to touch any other components on the motherboard while you are clearing the CMOS.
- If you are not sure where the CMOS battery or jumper is located, you can consult your motherboard manual.
Clearing the CMOS is a relatively simple process, but it can be risky if you are not careful. If you are not sure how to clear the CMOS, you should consult a qualified technician.