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From: DLV@CUNYVMS1.BITNET
Newsgroups: comp.virus
Subject: How to reset CMOS configuration that prevents booting?
Message-ID: <0009.9005301400.AA10793@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: 26 May 90 20:07:00 GMT
Sender: Virus Discussion List <VIRUS-L@LEHIIBM1.BITNET>
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Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu

I've managed to do something truly bizarre to my computer. :)

I have a '386 motherboard with lots of Chips and Technologies stuff on
it. At boot time, I have the option to run setup/extended setup. While
trying to do something, I managed to alter the settings in 'extended
setup' part (the bits in various 'C&T CMOS registers') in such a
manner that the machine will no longer boot; when I reset it, it goes
beep-beep-beep pause beep-beep-beep...

Of course my initial reaction was to try to disconnect the battery and
let the CMOS memory clear itself; alas, it doesn't seem to be possible
on this motherboard!!! (Or at least I don't see how). It's got a
10-year rechargeable battery that's evidently soldered to the board.
Whatever skimpy documentation there is does not deal with the question
of disconnecting the battery.

Does anyone have any suggestions at all??? This is a fascinating
problem, variants of this have been undoubtedly discussed here in the
past (what would happen if the configuration settings were damanged
not ny the bumbling owner, but by a malevolent Trojan Horse; what
would happen if you forgot the password on a PS/2). I will not be able
to reach the person who sold me the board until Monday, and I'm wide
open for suggestions.

Thanks,
Dimitri Vulis
Department of Mathematics
City University of New York Graduate Center

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