Locked myself out

[Guest]

When I first purchased my computer and set it up, I set up a password. Well
I haven't turned it off since that time until a couple of days ago. Now I
have locked myself out and I don't know the password I created. Is there
someway to reset back to the original settings to log into the computer?

 

[Ron Badour]

I am going to assume that you mean the Windows password. If so, when the
screen appears, click cancel to continue booting. Once the PC is booted, do
a find on: *.pwl (you may find one with your name--for example, mine is
ron.pwl). Delete the .pwl file and reboot. The logon screen will appear
and you can set a new password.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2007
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour

 

[Ron Badour]

Billie,

Sorry, I skipped from the W98 to WinXP newsgroups and inadvertently gave
directions for W98. Here is the info for XP:

How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305/en-us

 

[Zilbandy]

I am going to assume that you mean the Windows password. If so, when the
screen appears, click cancel to continue booting. Once the PC is booted, do
a find on: *.pwl (you may find one with your name--for example, mine is
ron.pwl). Delete the .pwl file and reboot. The logon screen will appear
and you can set a new password.

This worked with Win98, but not with XP. The OP didn't mention which
Windows he was using, though.

 

[John John]

Logon as an administrator or to the built-in Administrator account and
reset your password.

How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or if your
password expires
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894902

If you have set a password on the Administrator account and have also
forgotten that one then use a password reset utility on the
administrator account, search the internet for "nordahl Offline NT
Password & Registry Editor". Be warned that if you use third party
password reset utilities, and if the account that you reset has
encripted files, you will lose access to those files!

John

 

[Tim Slattery]

This worked with Win98, but not with XP. The OP didn't mention which
Windows he was using, though.

But he posted to an XP newsgroup. If he's being blocked by a BIOS
password, OP should read his system manual to find out how to reset
the password. If he can't find the manual, remove the BIOS battery
from the motherboard for a few minutes, but be aware that doing that
will cause the BIOS to forget whatever other settings have been made.

If OP is being blocked by a Windows password, he can boot into Safe
Mode, then choose the admin account from there (the admin password is
probably still at its default value, which is blank). He could also
boot from his installation CD, and reset the password that way.

 

[Guest]

Yes..I did mean windows..Thank you for the prompt response. This is the
first time I have used this site and I have found it quite useful so far.

 

[Ron Badour]

Please see my second response that was transmitted 6 minutes after the first
one. Being a typical man, I got lost and refused to ask for directions

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2007
W98 Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour

 

[Kelly]

<LOL>

Great to see you here, Ron!

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Rock]

When I first purchased my computer and set it up, I set up a password.
Well
I haven't turned it off since that time until a couple of days ago. Now I
have locked myself out and I don't know the password I created. Is there
someway to reset back to the original settings to log into the computer?

Some thing here should help:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/lostpass.htm

 

[Joan Archer]

And one that admits to losing his way <lol>
Joan

<LOL>

Great to see you here, Ron!