How do I get past XP Pro User Login

[Guest]

I have got a laptop second hand & cannot get past the login as I do not know
the password. I have read some recent tips from others which direct you to
download an ISO file. The problem is I cannot get the files out of the ISO to
copy to a CD. Can anbody help with another methos or how can I extract the
files. I have managed to get another OS on so I do have access to the drive
but when I did this I didnt seem to get any drivers. I know the PC has sound,
wireless etc but none of these work with the second OS. Would it be better
for me to get these working instead. If so I need help with this.
Cheers

 

[dobey]

The ISO is a CD.

You need CD writing software and use the burn CD from image option. Nero
will do this as well as many others.

If it is a bootable CD and you just extract the iso and copy the files to a
CD it won't be the same and is likely not to boot.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have got a laptop second hand & cannot get past the login as I do not know
the password.

If I acquired a used computer, 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 kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
that anyone else do either.

 

[Guest]

I did try reinstalling but none of the wrireless, sound etc worked. ANy
suggestions.

 

[Guest]

The boot disk worked in the sense that things moved around on the screen, but
this did not seem to give me a workable computer. What would the next step be
and how when I reboot do I get the login & password to be removed or at least
set to something that I know the passwords for.

 

[Guest]

The disk did something, how do I get it so I have a workable computer and how
do I reset the user login & pass to something that I know.

If I wanted to reinstall to OS, how would I do that when I have not got the
original disks.

I Did try putting an OS from another computer to try and get it working, but
when it boots my wireless, sound etc doont work. Is there a way of resetting
the login for the original OS.

 

[Malke]

The boot disk worked in the sense that things moved around on the screen, but
this did not seem to give me a workable computer. What would the next step be
and how when I reboot do I get the login & password to be removed or at least
set to something that I know the passwords for.

Contact the laptop mftr. and purchase Recovery Disks if available. These
are usually inexpensive, less than $25 USD. The disks will include all
drivers and laptop-specific software.

If the laptop mftr. does not have Recovery Disks, then you need to do a
clean install with a full version of XP. If there is the Product Key
sticker on the bottom of the laptop you can use a generic OEM install
disk that matches the version of XP that came on the laptop (Home, Pro,
MCE). The alternative is to use a full retail version of XP and then you
would use the Product Key that comes with it.

Once you have installed the operating system, you then must go to the
laptop mftr.'s website for that specific model machine for all drivers -
chipset (motherboard), sound, audio, wireless/wired network adapters -
and laptop-specific software such as power management.

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


Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I did try reinstalling but none of the wrireless, sound etc worked. ANy
suggestions.

If you tried reinstalling Windows cleanly, how did you get back to the
situation where you "cannot get past the login as I do not know the
password"? That makes no sense.

 

[Kelly]

To gain access to the System default Admin account once hidden:

On Pro Edition, from the Welcome Screen, press ctrl-Alt-Delete Twice. On
Home, boot to Safe Mode, and logon.

IF the system admin account doesn't have a password - get into it and clear
them all.
As for the missing drivers, simply pull up the laptop make and model and
download them.
--

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

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have got a laptop second hand & cannot get past the login as I do not know
the password.

If the person from whom you purchased the computer cannot give you the
password, (and the installation CDs for the OS and any other software
installed), you'd be wise to check with local law enforcement agencies
to ensure that you haven't inadvertently purchased stolen property.

I have read some recent tips from others which direct you to
download an ISO file. The problem is I cannot get the files out of the ISO to
copy to a CD. Can anbody help with another methos or how can I extract the
files.

One normally doesn't "get the files out of" and ISO image. Instead,
one uses a CD burning application, such as Roxio or Nero, to create a CD
from the ISO image.

I have managed to get another OS on so I do have access to the drive
but when I did this I didnt seem to get any drivers. I know the PC has sound,
wireless etc but none of these work with the second OS. Would it be better
for me to get these working instead. If so I need help with this.
Cheers

Anyway, with second-hand computers, especially if acquired from
strangers but perhaps even if acquired from a family member or friend,
your wisest course of action would definitely be to format the hard
drives and start fresh. You don't want to get in trouble because the
original owner may have filled the hard drive with kiddie porn, or have
problems because the original owner downloaded/installed viruses or
other malware.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Lester Stiefel]

The disk did something, how do I get it so I have a workable computer and how
do I reset the user login & pass to something that I know.

If I wanted to reinstall to OS, how would I do that when I have not got the
original disks.

I Did try putting an OS from another computer to try and get it working, but
when it boots my wireless, sound etc doont work. Is there a way of resetting
the login for the original OS.

If you have a windows Install CD, you need to boot to
that. after the CD starts and you get a repair windows
screen, press the esc key. at the next screen press F8.
Select to install OS on the partition C:\ (most of the
time). Then delete the C:\ partition listed using the
advanced menu at the bottom of the page. Afterwards, you
will need to recreate the partition from the menu at the
bottom of the page. Then select to reinstall to that
partition and at the prompt, confirm to reformat to ntfs and
reinstall will follow after.
Note: the reinstall may require you to download additional
drivers from the manufacturer of the pc. Some pc's require a
specific chipset driver installer and then the various
other hardware drivers may also need to be downloaded as a
supplement. If required download these from the hardware
manufacturer and install them.