Abstract:
A method for restricting access to an electronic device using basic input output system (BIOS) password comprises: generating a first window on a display to receive a first user input in response to a password pre-setting input via an input module; formatting the first user input into American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII); and writing the ASCII into a BIOS chip as the preset password. The electronic device is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and particularly to an electronic device and method for restricting access to the electronic device using basic input output system (BIOS) password. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    BIOS passwords may be used to restrict access to computers. Normally, BIOS software is stored on a non-volatile read-only memory (NVROM) chip and BIOS settings including a preset password are stored in a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) memory of the computer&#39;s Southbridge chip. When the computer starts, the BIOS software is firstly run and reads the BIOS settings from the CMOS memory to initialize the computer. During this process, the BIOS compares user inputs with the preset password to allow authorized access and reject unauthorized access. However, the CMOS memory is typically powered by a CMOS battery. By interrupting the power supply of the battery, the BIOS settings can be reverted to default values, disabling the BIOS password. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide an electronic device and a method for restrict access to the electronic device, which can overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device, according to an embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a first window of the electronic device in response to a password pre-setting input, to indicate to input a password as a preset password of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a second window to indicate to input a password before being allowed to access the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a third window to indicate to reenter the password of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a fourth window to indicate that times of reentering the password is exceeded. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a method for pre-setting a password according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a method for restricting access to an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  100 , such as a desktop or a laptop, includes a BIOS chip  110  and a CMOS memory  120 . The BIOS chip includes a first memory  111  and a second memory  112 . The first memory  111  can be a NVROM and is configured to store BIOS software. The second memory  112  can be a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)  112 , such as a flash memory, and is configured to store a preset password. In alternative embodiments, the first and the second memories  111 ,  112  can both be a NVRAM and can be integrated into one unit, in which a segment is designated to store the preset password. The CMOS memory  112  is configured to store BIOS settings. 
         [0015]    The electronic device  100  also includes a central processing unit (CPU)  130  and a display  140 . When the electronic device  100  starts, the BIOS software is firstly run on the CPU  130  which reads the preset password and the BIOS settings to initialize the electronic device  100 . 
         [0016]    The electronic device  100  includes an input module  10 , a control module  20 , a formatting module  30 , a writing module  40 , a comparison module  50 , and an indicating module  60 . 
         [0017]    The input module  10 , such as a keyboard, receives user inputs. 
         [0018]    The control module  20 , the formatting module  30 , the writing module  40 , the comparison module  50 , and the indicating module  60  can be software modules of the BIOS software and perform the below-described functions when executed on the CPU  130 . 
         [0019]    The control module  20 , when triggered by a password pre-setting input via the input module  10 , generates a first window  141  (see  FIG. 2 ) on the display  140  for receiving a first user input (e.g., a sequence of characters and/or digits) via the input module  10  as a preset password. The password pre-setting input takes place after a predetermined key, such as “Del” key, is pressed. 
         [0020]    The formatting module  30  formats the first user input into American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). 
         [0021]    The writing module  40  writes the ASCII into NVRAM  112  as the preset password. The writing module  40  can write the formatted first user input into other suitable memories as one or more backups of the preset password. 
         [0022]    The control module  30  is also configured to generate a second window  142  (see  FIG. 3 ) on the display  140  to indicate to input a password before being allowed to access the electronic device  100  and receive a second user input via the input module  10 . 
         [0023]    The comparison module  50  compares the second user input with the preset password. The comparison module  50  also allows access to the electronic device  100  upon a condition that the second user input is identical to the preset password and rejects access to the electronic device  100  upon a condition that the second user input is not identical to the preset password. 
         [0024]    The indicating module  60  generates a third window  143  (see  FIG. 4 ) on the display  140  to indicate to reenter the preset password upon the condition that the second user input is not identical to the preset password and a fourth window  144  (see  FIG. 5 ) on the display  140  indicating that times of reentering the password is exceeded when times of reentering the password exceed a predetermined number, e.g., three times. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a method for pre-setting a preset password according to an embodiment. 
         [0026]    In step S 201 , the first window  141  is generated in response to the password pre-setting input via the input module  10  for receiving a first user input. 
         [0027]    In step S 202 , the second user input is formatted into ASCII. 
         [0028]    In step S 203 , the formatted second user input is written into the NVRAM  112  as the preset password and can be written into other suitable memories of the electronic device  10  for backup purposes. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a method for restricting access to an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         [0030]    In step S 301 , the second window  142  is generated to indicate to input the password and receive the second user input. 
         [0031]    In step S 302 , the second user input is compared with the preset password. If second third user input is identical to the preset password, the procedure goes to the step S 306 , otherwise, the flow of the method jumps to the step S 303 . 
         [0032]    In step  303 , access to the electronic device  200  is rejected and the third window  143  is generated to indicate to reenter the password. 
         [0033]    In step  304 , times of reenter the password is compared with the predetermined number. If times of reentering the password exceed the predetermined number, the procedure goes to the step S 305 , otherwise, the flow of the method jumps to the step S 302 . 
         [0034]    In step  305 , the fourth window  144  is generated to indicate that times of reentering the password is exceeded. 
         [0035]    In step S 306 , access to the electronic device  100  is allowed. 
         [0036]    Particular embodiments are shown here and described by way of illustration only. The principles and the features of the present disclosure may be employed in various and numerous embodiments thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure as claimed. The above-described embodiments illustrate the scope of the disclosure but do not restrict the scope of the disclosure.