techies, i need your help

[fizzgig]

my boyfriend was adjusting his cpu speed and multiplier and now the computer turns on but won't boot up and he can't get into bios to reset it.

is it hosed or can it be saved?

eta: also, any suggestions on words to google to find help would also be appreciated

[Shardik]

1. There should be a set of three prongs with two of them jumpered

usually by the battery on the motherboard.

Some, but not all, motherboard manufacturers provide a set of three jumpers on their motherboards that provide you with the ability to clear the Bios/CMOS settings, thereby allowing them to be reset. For the most part this is used when the Bios/CMOS data becomes scrambled and you need to clear the Bios/CMOS in order to return the computer to a functional state. This same procedure, however, can be used to clear passwords from the Bios/CMOS setup. Typically a jumper will be found across pins #1 and #2 as the default position, and by shutting the computer down, unplugging the power cord and then moving the jumper so that it is across pins #2 and #3 will clear the Bios/CMOS settings.

http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm

[fizzgig]

4. thank you so much

i really appreciate it

[leeroysphitz]

2. Open the case. Somewhere on the motherboard you will find a battery.

It will look like a large watch battery. Carefully remove it. Wait a minute or two then replace it. The bios should reset to factory settings and boot normally.

ETA: For safety unplug the computer BEFORE doing what I just said!!!!! Sorry.

[fizzgig]

5. sounds good

now we just have to get tools small enough to get into the tower. he's on the phone with my dad right now and he's getting scolded :rofl:

[Deja Q]

3. "overclocking"

I recently stopped the practice. My CPU (Q9650) has a max safe voltage of 1.3625v (according to Intel's specs). Default voltage is 1.25v. At 333 or 400MHz, I'm good with 1.25v; no increasing necessary. To get to 350MHz, I have to use 1.3600v. No way. Not for a mere 400MHz gain and wreck the processor after 3 years. (Some have ramped up their voltage to 1.45v -- and blew up their CPU rather more quickly. Ow.)

Not to mention, Vista seems to perform visibly faster at 400MHz than at 450 (RAM timings, bootstrap, etc)

[Shardik]

6. One possible effect of overclocking...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7263668346151253701

[billyskank]

7. It's not hosed

Just A Yeller Dawg is giving you the right instructions, though it might be difficult to find.