Password not Accepted after Computer was off for awhile

[dkat]

I can no longer log on to my lap top computer. It was off for a long
period of time however the passwords were NOT set to expire. None of
the user or administrators' passwords work and I am certain of what
they are. And not it is not a caplock issue. I tried reinstalling
the OS but it won't recognize the software key either. What in the #(&
$! is going on here?

 

[JS]

Note: The default password for the built in Windows Administrator account is
normally blank (none).

For XP Home users:
Boot the computer into Safe Mode
Do this by pressing the F8 key after the Power On Self Test is finished,
until the Start menu appears.
This will get you to the correct menu window.
Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account
and any other accounts.
(Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically).
Use the Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Adminstrator' account;
Remember as mentioned above: The default password is a blank (no password
required).

Also See: Forgotten your Windows XP Home password
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894902/en-us
and: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894901/

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
Windows logon box.
Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a
password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the
password is blank, no password need be entered)

Once your in, then:
Click Start/Run/and type in: Control Userpasswords2 and then press OK
Next click on the Advanced tab and then click Manage Passwords.

Also see: How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or if your
password expires
(This Microsoft article applies to both XP Home and Pro)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305/en-us

JS

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

"...it won't recognize the software key either."
That sounds like a keyboard issue.
If possible try a PS2 or USB keyboard.

 

[JS]

Is the software key located on a sticker (usually on the bottom of the
laptop)?

JS

 

[dkat]

Note: The default password for the built in Windows Administrator account is
normally blank (none).

For XP Home users:
Boot the computer into Safe Mode
Do this by pressing the F8 key after the Power On Self Test is finished,
until the Start menu appears.
This will get you to the correct menu window.
Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account
and any other accounts.
(Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically).
Use the Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Adminstrator' account;
Remember as mentioned above: The default password is a blank (no password
required).

Also See: Forgotten your Windows XP Home passwordhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/894902/en-us
and:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894901/

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
Windows logon box.
Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a
password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the
password is blank, no password need be entered)

Once your in, then:
Click Start/Run/and type in: Control Userpasswords2 and then press OK
Next click on the Advanced tab and then click Manage Passwords.

Also see: How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or if your
password expires
(This Microsoft article applies to both XP Home and Pro)http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305/en-us

JS






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I haven't forgotten my passwords. It just will not take any of them.
Also even safe mode requires passwords.

 

[dkat]

Is the software key located on a sticker (usually on the bottom of the
laptop)?

JS






- Show quoted text -

I have installed win2k with no problems. I have gone through a
complete day and night downloading all the necessary upgrades and
almost have things happy with this OS. The keyboard was a good idea
but that wasn't it.

 

[dkat]

"...it won't recognize the software key either."
That sounds like a keyboard issue.
If possible try a PS2 or USB keyboard.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]http://www3.telus.net/dandemarhttp://www.dts-l.org






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I have installed win2k with no problems. I have gone through a
complete day and night downloading all the necessary upgrades and
almost have things happy with this OS. The keyboard was a good idea
but that wasn't it. What really makes me angry is that this was my
nephews computer and he died recently so everything that is a record
of his work will be gone. I will continue to try to get XP back up
and running if I come across any way to deal with this. I have read
others having the same issue of leaving the computer off for some time
and XP not allowing the passwords to be used.

 

[dkat]

Is the software key located on a sticker (usually on the bottom of the
laptop)?

JS






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Darn! sorry - sent without typing - The key is on the bottom of the
laptop for the Win2K installation. That worked The problem is that
my nephew upgraded to XP and I was trying to save his history. It is
entirely an issue with XP. I have actually read of others having this
issue when they have not logged on for an extended period of time.

 

[JS]

Most likely your passwords have expired, which is what caused the problem.

JS

 

[dkat]

Most likely your passwords have expired, which is what caused the problem.

JS







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Well I carefully set my passwords so that they never expire. I don't
think that is it. And if it is, it is a pretty lousy system that
doesn't tell you that your password has expired and you have to chose
a new one.