Here's a BIOS password recovery tool, too bad it needs root access in Linux to get access to cmos. In windows it just works according to the author. Another point for Linux security, another point against helping recovering a lost root password.

CmosPwd decrypts password stored in cmos used to access BIOS SETUP.
Works with the following BIOSes

* ACER/IBM BIOS
* AMI BIOS
* AMI WinBIOS 2.5
* Award 4.5x/4.6x/6.0
* Compaq (1992)
* Compaq (New version)
* IBM (PS/2, Activa, Thinkpad)
* Packard Bell