hello ,Can I access the BIOS setting from the linux menu to enable the cdrom,usbport etc.As in my labpc everything is disabled in BIOS .I can break the BIOS password by opening the BIOS battery,but it's not secure in the lab.So how can I enabe those things from the RHEL5 os .Can anyone help me.I need it badly.

To my knowledge, that's not possible. You must enter BIOS before any OS starts loading. If you're concerned about security after breaking the password, simply set a new one before exiting BIOS.

There's very probably a reason for the configuration settings being what they are and that they're locked (for you), so obviously you are not supposed to either change them nor gain access to any disabled devices (or other things) in this case. If you disagree on that, you should first go talk to the person who set up the configuration and password-protected it, and if you have a good, real reason for changing the configuration, the person just might do it (at least if you ask politely). On the other hand, you talking about resetting BIOS settings (including password), that it's not a good idea and asking about how you could get past the password without knowing it sounds like you're doing something you shouldn't be doing..

Go ahead and ask the person who's responsible for the machine and it's settings, that's the correct way to handle this. And next time you are talking about shady things like getting past BIOS configuration utility password, please do explain why changing the configuration is so important to you -- maybe you wanted to boot the machine off a live-cd and gain access to data you aren't supposed to access, like passwords? Who knows

there is too a way to "view" but not change bios settings. is that what u mean?

You can view the bios in linux the same as in windows. You get a hex editor and point it to the location that hold the bios. You can then analyze (figure out) the bios(that particular bios) and see where it stores the password. Each brand and sometimes version of bios stores things in different places and manners. Once you have the password you can decrypt the password so you can enter it and do what you like. I would guess that it will take you about a year to learn how to do all the above. Once you have done it you can probably repeat the process on any bios in a few days. It would be an excellent way to learn about how computers actually work and will be well worth your time. Once you have done this you can easily write custom bios's and firmware (dvd drives etc). I WILL NOT offer any further assistance on this subject. While it is worth learning on a machine under your control, it is not ethical to assist you in doing it on a machine out of your control.