PLEASE HELP!!!? Unknown Power-On Password seeems to even keep me from installing Windows XP at all.

[JeremyE.hsr]

MPOSSIBLE to install windows as Power-On password appears to have
PARALAYZED my laptop
buddy of mine jsut bought used laptop from some dude. I checked it
out and it was a normal windows logon screen with name and unknown
password. Long story short i got it home, booted it up and the Power-On
password screen came up (which i dont know) and it seem i cant do
anything. I cant install windows, it wont boot to really anything.
THis...

 

[Kerry Brown]

I hate to tell you but that's a pretty good clue the laptop may be stolen.
Most people selling a laptop would either clear the password or tell the
buyer what it is. You'll have to contact the laptop manufacturer. Most
laptops have to be dismantled to clear the CMOS.

 

[Guest]

You have 2 options left. First is resetting the CMOS jumper or removing the
CMOS battery. For a laptop, I will recommend you not do it by yourself. Read
the article below to know what you can do when you forget a BIOS password.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm

Try this little trick, see if it works. Turn On your Laptop while holding
down the shift key. It somes time reset the BIOS settings. Maybe will not
remove the password but can change the CMOS Security Option from System to
Setup. Means, it will ask you password only if you enter into BIOS not at
system boot.

Let us know!

 

[JeremyE.hsr]

Well, I wont argue that MAY be the case, whether its a good clue or
not. I tend to believe my buddy who tells me the guy who sold it to him
forgot the laptop. Regardless of its situation i still would appreciate
any help on this confuzzling Power-On / no bootable cds problem.

 

[Kerry Brown]

The password is in the CMOS. With most laptops you have to take apart a good
portion of the laptop to get at the switch to reset the CMOS. This is a
security feature. There probably is no way around this. Contact the
manufacturer of the laptop to see how to reset the CMOS for your particular
model.

 

[LS \(V\)]

Take the notebook to the nearest Police Department and tell them that story.
I am sure they will get "booted into something".

 

[anno_triangle]

Anyway, if you ever happen to loose your Windows login password Active@
Password Changer utility can help you reset it
http://www.password-changer.com/