Windows XP recieved pc tower running win xp but unable

[irish1971]

I received a COMPAQ tower from a friend which i am running win 98 se and have actually no memory on mine . This received came with win xp but i am unable to access desktop due to win xp security username screen has her sons name and password saved to it, our problem is that the son has forgotten password and i would like to figure how to disable this. I am unable to get to desktop only can access start up at when i boot. This compaq has been replenished and different things added to it ex. hard drive etc it also has a cd writer that is not connected so that will be my next step. any hints??

 

[vaio]

If you have the xp cd I would boot from cd with a fresh install--------gets rid of any crap off the drive.

 

[Anon_F]

Dont Compaq keep part of the BIOS in a hidden partition on the HDD?
They used to do this & if you wiped the HDD you had to have a Compaq disk to recover it?