How to unlock my pc

mistriladi_2

I have a aquired a PC which I have no user name or password and cannot access. I have an authentic XP CD which I was told I could run which would basically wipe the pc and I could start again. This does not work. Does anyone know how I can "crack the code" and access this PC.

KeithP

What make and model pc?
Powerup password set maybe.
Hard drive password set maybe.
Can you access the BIOS and check the password settings?
Maybe there is a password protecting the bios tho.

jamespir

mistriladi wrote: »

I have a aquired a PC which I have no user name or password and cannot access. I have an authentic XP CD which I was told I could run which would basically wipe the pc and I could start again. This does not work. Does anyone know how I can "crack the code" and access this PC.

ok what you ahve to do is when you switch the pc on press f12 or delete to access the bios screen while there set the cd rom to boot first save it put windows disc in reboot it will ask if you want to boot from the disc select yes and it will reinstall windows other than tha you have no way of getting in

enfield_freddy

if this is a desktop computer and the bios is asking for a password , this can be reset , by removing the internal battery , whilst unplugged , or moving the jumper pin , next to the battery over to the other pins for a few seconds , then replace

Paul_Herring

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

angel00079

As enfield freddy has said if its a power-on password (password comes up fairly quickly, black background as opposed to a Windows log-on you may be more familiar with) then you can take out either the CMOS battery or there will be a jumper on the motherboard to reset it.
Then as jamespir mentioned you may have to change the boot order in case it's looking on the Hard Drive first (though most are set to CD-ROM\USB as default these days)

Assuming that it still has XP there are free tools to reset LOCAL account passwords; the one I've used at work before is :-
http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/
May save you the time of formatting and reinstalling Windows?!?

Edit. Oops; didn't read Paul_Herrings link (same suggestion as above), looks interesting I'll try that later!