how can i erase a password on my laptop if i forgot it?

Question

i have a ibm thinkpad notebook and i cant get into it because i dont know the password. it will start up on the ibm thinpad screen then it will go to a black screen which requires a password to get passed it.

Answer 1

If ur runnin XP try this

Answer 2

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.

Note: 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.

Answer 3

Can you get into the CMOS / BIOS? You can reset it there. If not, can you remove the CMOS battery. On a desktop computer, it's a small round battery on the motherboard. Not sure about your laptop. Remove the battery and leave it out for an hour or so. This will reset your CMOS to default, and the password with it. Good luck.

Answer 4

Tap f8 as your laptop starts up and you should have a list of options.Use the up arrow button and select safe mode.Once in safe mode go to the control panel and click on user accounts and then click on administrator accounts and the change the pass word.

I've had to do this a time or two myself. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

YOU CANT CUZ IF U FORGOT IT, YOU WILL HAVE TO SEND IT TO IBM OR LENOVO TO RESET THE MAIN BOARD FOR YOU.

WHAT IT WOULD WORK IS: WHEN I FORGET MY PASSWORD, I TAKE OUT A SHEET OF PAPER, AND TRY WRITING ALL MY REMEMBERED PASSWORDS, THAT'S WHEN YOUR BRAIN "TELLS" YOU THAT THAT ONE IS THE LATEST ONE, AND TRY UNTIL YOU GET RUNNING., AS SOON AS URE FINISHED, WRITE THE PASSWORD DOWN IN A PAPER AND PUT IT IN A SAFE PLACE. THE LIST, PUT IT IN THE TRASH, DEEP IN IT