Windows Log-on screen

[TAbell]

I just recently acquired a computer with Windows XP pro loaded on it. However
when I boot it up, it comes to a log -on screen prompting me for a user name
and password which I have no access to. I tried to boot it using the safe
mode but it still prompts me for the same. Is there any around this screen so
that the computer is usable?

 

[Malke]

I just recently acquired a computer with Windows XP pro loaded on it.
However when I boot it up, it comes to a log -on screen prompting me for a
user name and password which I have no access to. I tried to boot it using
the safe mode but it still prompts me for the same. Is there any around
this screen so that the computer is usable?

Best practice with a used computer is to do a clean install of Windows.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

If you are unwilling to do this (not recommended), use NTpasswd to blank the
password.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I just recently acquired a computer with Windows XP pro loaded on it. However
when I boot it up, it comes to a log -on screen prompting me for a user name
and password which I have no access to. I tried to boot it using the safe
mode but it still prompts me for the same. Is there any around this screen so
that the computer is usable?

You acquired a used computer?

You are concerned with what might be the least significant problem
with it.

If I acquired a used computer, no matter who previously owned it, the
first thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating
system cleanly. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained,
what has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and
spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody
else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn, etc., and I
wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.

 

[Jose]

I just recently acquired a computer with Windows XP pro loaded on it. However
when I boot it up, it comes to a log -on screen prompting me for a user name
and password which I have no access to. I tried to boot it using the safe
mode but it still prompts me for the same. Is there any around this screen so
that the computer is usable?

Is it "hot"?