reset password in XP without logging in

**Greven** · 17-09-2005, 12:35 PM

My friend's flatmate set a bootup password on my friend's computer (which is easy to fix), so he probably set a password for whatever the default user on dell machines is. How do I reset that password when I don't know the administrator password to get into the computer?

He is running XP home.

**Graham L** · 17-09-2005, 01:35 PM

A bootup password is in the BIOS, and nothing to do with the OS. Is it your friend's ex-flatmate, or can pressure be exerted to have the password unset?

**johnboy** · 17-09-2005, 01:49 PM

try this
How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or your password expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;321305
hth

**Battleneter** · 17-09-2005, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Greven

My friend's flatmate set a bootup password on my friend's computer (which is easy to fix), so he probably set a password for whatever the default user on dell machines is. How do I reset that password when I don't know the administrator password to get into the computer?

He is running XP home.

If the password appears before Windows even starts booting then it is a Cmos password, which can be cleared using a Cmos clear jumper on the motherboard usually near the battery.

**gibler** · 17-09-2005, 02:46 PM

Well assuming that you have the BIOS password under control (and so can boot from CD)..

..and that you don't know the password for any user who is an admin.

offline nt password reset

**Greven** · 17-09-2005, 04:54 PM

Looks like my origional post wasn't too clear. I know clearing the cmos will take care of the bootup password, but my friend is too scared to do it himself so I'm going round there tomorrow to do it. I was just wanting to prepare for the likely senario that he also set passwords for all the windows user accounts.

I'll try the offline password reset program - telling him he should have created password reset disks won't get him into his computer. Even after this I doubt he will bother creating password reset disks - non-technical users are like that.

His flatmate will give him the password eventually, but it might take up to a week for him to get bored with it.

**Poppa John** · 17-09-2005, 08:35 PM

Once the password problem is sorted, I would suggest a nwe flatmate. The one you hav now has outworn his welcome. My opinion for what its worth.. PJ

**tweak'e** · 17-09-2005, 09:45 PM

with XP home the easy way is to boot into safe mode which will show the admin acc which is vary rarly passworded. you can then change passwords in any account.