password

[tina]

unplugged my computer and i set it up it is now asking
for my password i bought this computer years back and i
forgot my password how can i start my computer?

 

[Chris Ard [MSFT]]

While there are some 3rd party tools out there that can try to find a
password through a brute force method, I can't recommend any.
If you know any password for any Admin account on the box, you can get in
and reset the password in question.
If the machine is a member of a domain, any Domain Admin account should
have rights on the box unless you manually blocked them.
Otherwise a rebuild may be in order.

One part I was unclear on. Are you saying you can't log into the Windows
OS? Or is the computer not even letting you start up? (BIOS password).
If you have a BIOS password, then you will need to find the manual for your
motherboard. There are usually steps on how to reset the password for the
motherboard. This usually involves using some connector on a couple of
prongs or pulling out the CMOS battery.

Chris Ard
Security Support
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

unplugged my computer and i set it up it is now asking
for my password i bought this computer years back and i
forgot my password how can i start my computer?

Hi

You might try to reset the local Administrator password
with one of the methods mentioned here:

http://securityadmin.info/noframes/faqget.asp#password

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

 

[geronimo]

I too am in a somewhat similiar situation.
But I don't understand how this works.
How can I work with the machine when I am unable to get
into it?
Do I work with it via another computer?
Regards.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I too am in a somewhat similiar situation.
But I don't understand how this works.
How can I work with the machine when I am unable to get
into it?
Do I work with it via another computer?

Hi

Yes, you would need to make the bootable CD or floppy disk
from another computer.