How can i reformat a dell laptop that is password protected?

Question

My employee quit and changed passwords on a laptop. I want to reformat and let someone else use the computer.

Answer 1

it depends what kind of password it is as to how to proceed.

if the password comes on immediately that you switch on the laptop, it is a BIOS password. if it is the password for a username on the welcome screen then it is a LOGIN password.

circumventing the password is a different method depending on which type it is so you'll need to clarify whether it is a bios password or a login password to get further help.

Answer 2

When you bought the Dell it should have come with a cd that you can reformat with, put the cd in, restart the computer and go into the bios, I believe it is F2 on Dell, and tell it to boot from CD first. Then restart again and go through the reformat process

Answer 3

is the bios password protected thats easy remove the watch battery on the motherboard and also the main battery then reinstall the watch battery and main battery this will reset the bios when you restart laptop you will have to set the time and restore defaults to bios but other than that it will run normally without bios protected

Answer 4

that doesnt violate your company policies?

my employer had me sign a document saying i wouldn't do that, among other things, so they could sue me if i ever tried it.

you might want to have your new hires sign some kind of document like that.

Answer 5

Reboot the computer from the system CD that came with it.

Answer 6

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Answer 7

you don't even have to format it, there are programs that can get you past the log-in interface.