Works on a vast majority of legacy BIOS motherboards including major brands like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Prerequisites: What You Need
Double-click the icon on the desktop to launch the program.
Backup any critical files, as this process erases all existing data. Open , right-click the USB drive, and select Format . Set the File System to FAT32 and click Start . Step 2: Flash the ISO Using Rufus Download and launch the latest portable version of Rufus . Under Device , select your formatted USB flash drive.
Hardware brands like Samsung, IBM, Sony, Toshiba, and ThinkPad. Systems using x86 and x86_64 architectures. How to Use via USB Boot
This happens if the target machine has "Secure Boot" enabled or prioritizes the internal hard drive. Restart the PC, enter the BIOS setup (using F2 or Delete), disable , and enable Legacy Support or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) . The Software Displays an "Unknown Motherboard" Error pc cmos cleaner 2.0 usb boot
It supports major BIOS vendors including Award, AMI, Phoenix, Compaq, IBM, Dell, and Sony. How PC CMOS Cleaner Works
Because PC CMOS Cleaner 2.0 is distributed as an .iso disk image, you cannot simply copy and paste the file onto a flash drive. It must be flashed properly to become bootable. Step 1: Format the USB Drive Insert your USB drive into a working computer.
A forgotten BIOS or UEFI password can completely lock you out of your computer hardware. It prevents you from changing boot orders, upgrading components, or even starting the operating system. When traditional methods like pulling the motherboard battery fail, a specialized bootable utility is required.
Once your bootable USB is ready, you must instruct the locked target computer to read the USB drive prior to accessing its internal hard drive. Step 1: Change the System Boot Order Works on a vast majority of legacy BIOS
The computer has Secure Boot enabled, or the system lacks a Compatibility Support Module (CSM) to run older 16-bit/32-bit Linux environments.
Restart the target PC and enter the "Boot Menu" (usually via F12, F11, or Esc) to select the USB drive as the primary boot device. Strategic Usage and Risks
: Many modern high-end motherboards feature a "Clear CMOS" button on the rear I/O panel or the board itself. Reset BIOS password (HP 6530b) - HP Support Community
Historically, recovery tools like PC CMOS Cleaner were burned onto CD-ROMs or floppy disks. Modern laptops and desktop computers have completely phased out optical drives. Open , right-click the USB drive, and select Format
Set the to MBR and Target system to BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) . Note: PC CMOS Cleaner is a legacy tool and requires legacy boot support. Keep the default volume label and cluster size. Click Start and wait for the status bar to show "Ready." Booting Into PC CMOS Cleaner 2.0
How to Use PC CMOS Cleaner 2.0 USB Boot to Reset Your BIOS Password
is largely obsolete and potentially unsafe. For modern PCs (2018+ UEFI), it will almost certainly fail. Stick to physical CMOS reset methods unless you’re dealing with a legacy BIOS system (pre-2010) and have a verified, clean copy of the tool.
It can bypass or reset BIOS/supervisor passwords on various motherboard brands (Award, AMI, Phoenix, etc.).
: While it doesn't affect your files, it will erase any specific performance tweaks or RAID configurations in the BIOS.