Bought Computer but Has Admin Rights

JasX

1- Have you checked if the admin password is blank?

2-Can you identify what brand of BIOS is running, if you scan the text reeling past as it boots you might see something like "AwardBIOS" or "PhoenixBIOS" and maybe a version, some have master passwords that will override any set password.

3-you could try removing the internal CMOS battery overnight and see if that resets the BIOS and password to factory state.

4-Disconnecting the hard disk internally might allow you to boot from the CD drive, doing this you might be able to a) connect a blank drive and reiinstall windows that way
b) use a suitable floppy disk or CD-ROM to reflash the BIOS, clear its password and gain access that way.

Long term I'd strongly suggest a windows reinstall

EDIT:

These links might help:
http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-passwords.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-BIOS-Password

aj9648

rdpro - the model of the PC is HP/Compaq EVO D51S.....if there is a password then great

Donnie

Maybe......... but have you tried this suggestion from the HP forum?

aj9648

Hi Guys

Sorry its taken ages to respond. Anyway still having problems with this - got into the BIOS and saw that the CD drive was the primary boot, but I when I insert my windows setup CD and boot up it churns for a bit but nothing really happens and windows starts up again. Nothing wrong with CD as I have tried in other computer.

Is there some sort of other boot cd/floppy disk I could use as this is getting a bit frustrating !!!

Cheers

JasX

You could always try the good old

format c:

aj9648

Yeah I could but cant get to DOS mate !!!

gonzo127

should i take it that you cant use the computer at all?

anyways i would personally try ubuntu, see if it will boot to that disk, if it does you should be able to format the drive and install ubuntu, and then i would expect you should then be able to get windows on it, or just run in ubuntu from then on

the other one is to swop the disk drive incase thats dead and retry the XP disk

tronator

aj9648 wrote: »

Hi Guys

Sorry its taken ages to respond. Anyway still having problems with this - got into the BIOS and saw that the CD drive was the primary boot, but I when I insert my windows setup CD and boot up it churns for a bit but nothing really happens and windows starts up again. Nothing wrong with CD as I have tried in other computer.

Is there some sort of other boot cd/floppy disk I could use as this is getting a bit frustrating !!!

Cheers

Did you notice the message "Press a key to boot from CD within 5 sec ..." or similar?

aj9648

Yep cant use the PC at all - apart from getting to the windows login screen and obviously need a password from there.

"Press a key to boot from CD within 5 sec ..." or similar? - nope there is no such message that pops up

JasX

aj9648 wrote: »

Yeah I could but cant get to DOS mate !!!

well if they have been particularly pesky locking it down in BIOS and within the OS I'd be attempting find a self bootable means to kill it.

HD diagnostics (eg from drive manufacturer or generic) to low level format the drive, if BIOS prevents this reset it if it has a reboot&Reset type jumper switch or even reflash the BIOS with tooold from the MoBo manufacturers site

there are probably other ways round this tho