Locked out of laptop - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/05/2008 01:50:52 PM · #1

My neighbor wanted a password on her laptop - something screwed up in the process and now we cannot start the computer. Is there any way to get in without reinstalling the operating system? There is only one account on the computer. Any assistance greatly appreciated before I have to dig out the install disk (which I don't know where is) and start all over again from scratch. Thanks!

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/05/2008 01:54:05 PM · #2

Originally posted by Melethia:

Is this an operating system password or a BIOS password?

If it's operating system, what OS?

If it's BIOS, what make and model is the laptop?

~Terry

04/05/2008 02:00:55 PM · #3

It's Windows XP - it's the login password - haven't tried getting to BIOS and not sure what to do if I do get to BIOS.

Message edited by author 2008-04-05 14:03:19.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/05/2008 02:13:13 PM · #4

I think I found it - administrator is open from safe mode, which is nice. :-)

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/05/2008 02:16:39 PM · #5

Just remember to password the administrator account too, otherwise everybody else who knows that Safe Mode trick can still get in.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/05/2008 02:37:27 PM · #6

For whatever reason, the password feature isn't working. I've tried several times. The main account is an administrator account - ie should be able to go to Users and make it a password account, right? I do that, it accepts it, I restart, and it won't accept the password. Any advice on that front?

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/05/2008 03:09:19 PM · #7

Originally posted by Melethia:

Did you, or can you, set a password?

~Terry

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/05/2008 03:13:43 PM · #8

Check cAPS lOCK.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

04/05/2008 03:18:25 PM · #9

I used the User Account feature to change the main account to password protected, entered the password and that seemed to work just fine. But when trying to access using that password, it doesn't work. And yes, checked caps lock. :-) I've given up for the evening - will try again tomorrow. It's probably something very obvious.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

04/05/2008 03:44:43 PM · #10

I don't know much about passwords as I rarely use them, however, Vista, and possibly XP, has an administrator pass word option, which has to be used if set. If left blank, it bypasses that stage and goes straight to user password/login. You can set as many users as you want.

So, my way of thinking round this is, the admin password was set originally, so that has to entered each time the laptop is switched on. Regardless of how many user passwords you set up, that admin one still has to entered. In XP you will get a screen showing the users names with a space to enter password.

In Vista, you get the option to switch user in the Start menu. However, the admin password remains unless edited in Bios, I believe. Does this make any sense?? Hopefully it does:)

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/05/2008 05:32:46 PM · #11

That sounds very confusing Steve. Either I misunderstood what you're saying or you know some features I've never heard of.

hihosilver

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/05/2008 06:28:51 PM · #12

Here is an idea that may work for you:

1. Login under Admin (I assuming you have that login successfully)
2. Control Panel...User Accounts...select the user account
3. Select Remove Password and click on the remove password button
4. Do not select "change password" option because you will be prompted for the original password...just remove it altogether and then start over.
5. Select the user account again and click on "create a new password"
6. Choose a set of numbers only (e.g. 12345)
7. Return to main Control panel menu for the User Accounts

Change the Login method:
1. At the user accounts main menu in control panel, choose pick a task
2. Choose "change the way users login"
3. Unselect the "welcome screen" option (if checked)

When you login back in, then you may manually type the Administrator account (without having to back into safe mode) OR manually type the user name account.

Test the user account new numeric password:
1. Logout as ADMIN
2. Login as the user's name
3. Type "12345" as the password (without the quotes)

Please post how it all works out! Good Luck!

StuLove

Sony DSC-P150

04/05/2008 10:06:14 PM · #13

did you try logging in with no password...i.e. leave the password box empty and login? I've has this happen to me before.

Message edited by author 2008-04-05 22:08:54.