[Range Rover]

Dealt with this plenty of times in an old job. The previous suggestions for removing the CMOS battery and removing the correct jumper are the only way to clear a CMOS password.

You won't harm the mobo by removing the battery but ONLY removing the battery may clear the password. It could be that the battery you find is a NiCad rechargeable and can't be removed easily. In that case, starting the machine with the correct jumper removed is the way.

If you are uncertain WHICH jumper, an alternative to contacting Gateway would be to locate any identifying ID numbers on the motherboard - usually silkscreened in larger print than all other symbols you will find there. Put that number into a search engine and see if a manual is available on the Motherboard manufacturer's website. Gateway didn't make it's own system boards and yours could be from any number of manufacturers including FIC, Biostar, Abit, Asus.......The manufacturer's name may even be in the board.

good luck

[djf]

Actually, when I remove the battery, I usually short the battery posts for a few seconds. That always has cleared it for me, sometimes it's not an easy task to find the regular cmos short jumpers. You end up spending half an hour downloading a PDF copy of the manual (if you can even find it)

[general_re]

The previous suggestions for removing the CMOS battery and removing the correct jumper are the only way to clear a CMOS password.

Not the only way - as long as it's socketed and not soldered to the mobo, you can always yank the BIOS chip and replace it with a new one in a pinch. Most mobo manufacturers will happily sell you a replacement, and it's not even that expensive - $20 or so, typically.