BIOS password?

Question

I posted a few days ago but nobody answered to what I added to my question, sorry I'm not good at this yahoo question thing. So here it goes again.

My dad lives in Florida and is 72 yrs old I live in another state, he forgot his password to log onto his computer. This computer is only used to play games on and isn't connected to the internet.
My dad told me the computer he has is a compaq presario 5000 series with windows xp.

Yes I am blonde!!
When my dad turns on his computer it asks for a password so I might be wrong by saying it's the BIOS password (sorry).

This computer used to be used for the internet that's why it's password protected.

Answer 1

Hey Dude,

Are you sure it is a bios password? Why would anyone do that for home use? If it is a bios password, it will take a call to Compaq to get it unlocked.

If it is a regular username and password, first, try to leave it blank. Microsoft came out with some updates that stop the automatic login of users, and force them to click on a user. Try a blank password.

If that does not work, have him do a "CTRL+ALT+DEL+DEL" In other words, while holding down CTRL+ALT, press Delete TWICE! This should get him to a different screen.

Then, tell him to type in the username "Administrator" and leave the password blank. If you remember the Administrator password that was set when you first set-up the machine, this would be where you enter it.

If you get in, walk him though changing or removing his password.

Good luck!!!!! I use to have to deal with elderly Nun's all day.

Tom

Answer 2

TOM! Im surprised you didn't know how to fix this problem, I've seen you answer tougher ones correctly..
Anyway, if your problem is in fact a BIOS password lock up, heres what needs to be done, I'm sorry it can be a bit difficult for a 72 year old man, but here we go:

You'll need to open the case of the computer. First unplug everything going into the tower of the computer i.e monitor, peripherals and whatnot,REMEMBER where everything gets plugged in! draw a quick sketch perhaps! Then set the tower on a flat surface like a table, so you can easily work inside it.
Then take the cover off, inside on the motherboard, look for a small battery, it will be about half an inch in diameter. Its a watch battery actually, every computer has one. This battery stores BIOS settings, so when a computer is powered down, the battery stores setting such as date, time, startup procedures and so on.
REMOVE the battery, and let the computer sit for about 60 seconds.
Then while the case and everything is still off and the battery is out hold down the power button on the computer for about 3 minutes, I know your hand will get sore but its OK just try to hold it down consistently for about 3 minutes.
Then insert the battery back where it goes, and put the case back on, and connect all the cables and such back where they were.

When you first start up again you'll have to enter the date and time the first time, then it will be back to normal!

Any questions about what I'm telling you to do?
[e-mail] , feel free to contact me.

Answer 3

Hello, If anyone (now not you!) has setup a bios password and also you dont realize what that password is, then urgent never-ending key strokes wont crack it I'm affraid. (you have got actually no danger). **The high-quality strategy to resolve this challenge is a) discover out the maker of the computing device, adding the makers of the bios. Contact if feasible by way of e-mail the bios makers and ask them if you'll be able to flush or transparent the bios password in query. In a few instances its feasible to run a precise reset device that clears or cleans the bios password and allows for you to reset a clean bios password. **You perhaps particularly fortunate & discover that its feasible to wipe away the bios password by way of flash upgrading your exact bios variation to a more moderen one by way of the identical makers. See the bios makers internet site for that capabilities choice. (its a slender danger). b) Some well PC or Computer stores do have the technical know the way to reset a bios password, surely they're going to cost you a cost for that carrier. To finish: If you're not able to transparent or reset the bios password the computing device in query is kind of vain. It in most cases wont boot up beyond requesting the bios password. If thats the case then your simplest choice is to take it too the regional garbage assortment web page for reliable disposal. Good Luck! IR

Answer 4

if you mean logging on, then its not a bios password

if its for logging into his account then you probably have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.

This method is easy enough for newbies to follow – it doesn’t require using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it’s free - I mention that because you can pay two hundred dollars for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp

ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here’s how with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for newbie’s.

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.

Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:

Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click "Prevent a forgotten password".
This will initiate a wizard.
Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.
Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.
Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.
Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place
How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk

Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose a new password to use for your account.

Answer 5

He might be logging off inserted of shutting down.

Answer 6

Hey Dude,

Are you sure it is a bios password? Why would anyone do that for home use? If it is a bios password, it will take a call to Compaq to get it unlocked.

If it is a regular username and password, first, try to leave it blank. Microsoft came out with some updates that stop the automatic login of users, and force them to click on a user. Try a blank password.

If that does not work, have him do a "CTRL+ALT+DEL+DEL" In other words, while holding down CTRL+ALT, press Delete TWICE! This should get him to a different screen.

Then, tell him to type in the username "Administrator" and leave the password blank. If you remember the Administrator password that was set when you first set-up the machine, this would be where you enter it.

If you get in, walk him though changing or removing his password.

Good luck!!!!! I use to have to deal with elderly Nun's all day.

Tom

Source(s):

MCSE 2003, MCT, MSBS, CNE 5 and 6, LPI1, CCNP/CCDP/CCDA/CCDP, CCA, Dell Certified Engineer, and all around nice guy. You can email me if you wish but I will expect a "best answer" please.

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--%Best answer


if you mean logging on, then its not a bios password

if its for logging into his account then you probably have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.

This method is easy enough for newbies to follow – it doesn’t require using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it’s free - I mention that because you can pay two hundred dollars for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here http://www.winternals.com/products/repai...

ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here’s how with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for newbie’s.

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.

Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:

Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click "Prevent a forgotten password".
This will initiate a wizard.
Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.
Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.
Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.
Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place
How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk

Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose a new password to use for your account.