Forgot Login/Password - Need to install new OS

[nkrishnan]

I have a HP with Win 2000 Professional. I cannot get past the logon
dialog at startup (I dont know the login and password) and I dont know
the admin password as well. I do have a new OS installation ready to
go, but how do I wipe out the old OS and reinstall the new OS, if I
cannot log in to the machine. Any advice would be appreciated?

Thanks

 

[Dave Patrick]

Since you posted here I'll assume you're installing Windows 2000. To do a
clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup disks.
The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom;
change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe
(from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply these to your new install before connecting to any network.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

|I have a HP with Win 2000 Professional. I cannot get past the logon
| dialog at startup (I dont know the login and password) and I dont know
| the admin password as well. I do have a new OS installation ready to
| go, but how do I wipe out the old OS and reinstall the new OS, if I
| cannot log in to the machine. Any advice would be appreciated?
|
| Thanks
|

 

[nkrishnan]

Thanks for your reply Dave. I should have been clear - I am attempting
to install Windows XP on my computer now, and getting rid of the
earlier Windows 2000 installation.

To be sure I got this right, you are saying that I need to use a
secondary computer, insert the CDROM for Win XP, create boot disks as
instructed, and insert these disks in the first computer (with Windows
2000) and reboot it to do a clean install of the OS? Is this correct?
If not, could you please spell this out for me. thanks.

 

[Dave Patrick]

No do this on the pc you intend to install on. You don't need the password
since you're blowing away the old OS. To do a clean install, boot the
Windows XP install CD-Rom. Setup inspects your computer's hardware
configuration and then begins to install the Setup and driver files. When
the Windows XP Professional screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows XP
Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows XP Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP2 or at least these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network or internet.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

| Thanks for your reply Dave. I should have been clear - I am attempting
| to install Windows XP on my computer now, and getting rid of the
| earlier Windows 2000 installation.
|
| To be sure I got this right, you are saying that I need to use a
| secondary computer, insert the CDROM for Win XP, create boot disks as
| instructed, and insert these disks in the first computer (with Windows
| 2000) and reboot it to do a clean install of the OS? Is this correct?
| If not, could you please spell this out for me. thanks.
|

 

[nkrishnan]

Here's what I did after reading your email:

1. Inserted the Windows XP CDROM in the cdrom drive
2. Shut down and started the computer
3. It takes me all the way to the logon script eventually without
allowing me to enter any sort of Setup mode.

If I press F2 during boot up, it prompts me for a "Setup password"
which I dont - I purchased this computer from a cousin who does not
know these passwords as well.

How do I get my computer to recognize the Windows XP CDROM during
startup, so that it quits the normal bootup process and instead
attempts to install a new OS, and removes the old OS?

Thanks

 

[Dave Patrick]

Sounds like you're not booting the CD-Rom. Possibly set the boot order in
cmos setup to CD-Rom first in boot sequence. Also look for the keystroke (if
necessary) at POST to force boot from CD-Rom drive or check your mobo/pc
manual for instructions.

Also check the mobo manual for a jumper placement to reset cmos setup to
default which will also clear the password.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

| Here's what I did after reading your email:
|
| 1. Inserted the Windows XP CDROM in the cdrom drive
| 2. Shut down and started the computer
| 3. It takes me all the way to the logon script eventually without
| allowing me to enter any sort of Setup mode.
|
| If I press F2 during boot up, it prompts me for a "Setup password"
| which I dont - I purchased this computer from a cousin who does not
| know these passwords as well.
|
| How do I get my computer to recognize the Windows XP CDROM during
| startup, so that it quits the normal bootup process and instead
| attempts to install a new OS, and removes the old OS?
|
| Thanks
|

 

[coal_brona]

Greetings,

Active@ Password Changer utility might help. That is a small yet
powerful tool that can quickly and erasily reset your lost or forgotten
pass. The tool literally saved me before so I think you will find it
really useful.

http://www.password-changer.com/