Help! Second hand computer with password!?

Question

I just bought a second hand computer. It is password protected and I asked the seller the password, he said he didn't know. What should I do? I don't really want to log into the windows; in fact, I'd like to delete everything and install a new windows. How can I delete the existing windows (password protected so I can't get inside) and reinstall a new windows? Please provide with details or steps. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Do you have the windows CD?



Most likely, you can boot off of this CD. (You may need to enter the BIOS and select your CD-ROM drive as a boot device). Once you have booted from the Windows CD, you will have the option to do a new installation of Windows (with hard disk format).

Answer 2

you rather want to reinstall domicile windows. the previous own might want to have forgotten to delete own information or there is viruses on the demanding force. If the computing gadget got here with a restore disk, you may want to attempt this surely. in simple terms insert the cd and it is going to do some thing. in case you obtain the familiar domicile windows cd and by no potential a restore disk, then use it to reinstall domicile windows. There are also particular courses on the marketplace which will enable you to make transformations (which i do not propose). placed your self contained in the seller's footwear. If this individual became no longer computing gadget savy, he likely left his own information on it that he might want to have deleted had he have familiar better perfect. might want to you want someone observing your own information?

Answer 3

What version of windows, some older versions let you get around it by pressing cancel such as windows 98

Answer 4

OK MEN YOU GOT LOT OF WORK TO DO....

it very simple yet very complicated....email me at [e-mail]

and i can post the steps....

my steps will tell you how to recover the LOST PASSWORD with in 48 hrs trust me i have done it it works and what you don't to loose but patience...email me i will send the steps

Answer 5

Windows Lost Password tips.

http://www.hsinlin.com/tips/lost_password.html



Lost User Passwords. (Windows XP)



If you have lost or forgotten a user account password in Win XP, simply log in as the computer administrator, and go to control panel, user accounts. Here you will be able to reset the password for any of the systems user accounts.



Lost Administrator Password. (Windows XP)



Slightly more work needed if you lose or forget the Windows XP administrator password.



First reboot Windows XP in safe mode by re-starting the computer and pressing F8 repeated as the computer starts up. Then (in safe mode) click Start and then click Run. In the open box type "control userpasswords2" without the quotes - I have just used quotes to differentiate what you have to type.



You will now have access to all the user accounts, including the administrators account and will be able to reset the lost password.



Just click the administrators user account, and then click Reset Password.



You will need to add a new password in the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and confirm by clicking OK.



All done, you have recovered the lost adminitrators password!



How to Reset Forgotten Windows XP Passwords

http://www.goitexpert.com/entry.cfm?entry=How-to-Reset-Forgotten-Windows-XP-Passwords



Active Password Recovery Software

http://www.download.com/Active-Password-Changer/3000-2092_4-10618486.html?tag=tab_pub



Login Recovery

http://www.loginrecovery.com/

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BEFORE:

Backup your data. Check each disk and make sure all the files are OK. I have found backup disks that had corrupted files.



Find your product keys, Run "Keyfinder Thing 3.1.6" and print out the results.

http://www.download.com/Keyfinder-Thing/3000-2094_4-10561260.html?tag=lst-0-1



Download and run the Belarc Advisor and print out the results.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html



For Internet Explorer:

Install and run: BackRex Internet Explorer (free)

http://www.backsettings.com/internet-explorer-backup.html

BackRex Internet Explorer Backup is a backup and restore tool for Internet Explorer. It allows you to backup favorites, history, proxy settings, fonts, dialup accounts, autocomplete passwords and cookies.



For Firefox:

Install and run: Firefox Extension Backup Extension (FEBE)

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2109/

"FEBE backs up your extensions, themes, and (optionally) your bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and just about everything else Firefox offers."



Create a directory such as "Firefox Backup" and "IE7 Backup" for each browsers backup data in your "My Documents Folder".

This way whenever you backup you files you will also backup your browsers settings. Repeat logged as each users.



Backup your data. Check each disk and make sure all the files are OK. I have found backup disks that had corrupted files.



Find all your drivers and software and software keys now and develop a plan on how you will reinstall everything.

http://www.thefuhrmans.com/reformat_hd.htm

http://blog.angrypets.com/2006/01/ultimate_prefla.html

http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/l0910/32l10/32l10.asp



Reformat and install. (Cleans drive loses all data)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx

http://www.whitecanyon.com/reformat-the-hard-drive-in-windows-xp.php

http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/l0910/32l10/32l10.asp



Reload Drivers, Spyware/ Virus protection, All Microsoft updates, Programs, etc.



============================

In some cases some people like to overwrite the entire disk before reformatting and reinstalling windows to prevent any old files from being recovered and/or to eliminate any possibility (rare) of malware still being on the hard drive after formatting and reinstalling windows . Any of the following will accomplish this.





http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=194873&messageID=2115918

"You can find out the manufacturer of your HD and then attempt to download the formatting tool created by that manufacturer for their HD's. Most HD Mnufactuer have a Zero Fill Low level formatting tool available to erase their HD products. This will clean any existing OS files from your system as well as any viruses other files etc.."



Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) free

http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke/3000-2092_4-10165154.html

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.



Active@ Kill Disk - Hard Drive Eraser (Free version/ $29.95 enhanced version)

http://www.killdisk.com/

Free version limited to 1 erasure pass and first hard drive.

Active@ KillDisk - Hard Drive Eraser is powerful and compact DOS software that allows you to destroy all data on hard and floppy drives completely, excluding any possibility of future recovery of deleted files and folders. It's a hard drive and partition eraser utility.



WipeDrive by White Canyon $39.95 (no free version)

http://www.whitecanyon.com/

Completely wipe and erase all the information from a computer before selling or discarding it. WipeDrive makes it easy.