I need to reinstall Windows Vista, BUT...?

Question

I can not get to Windows...can not get past the password screen. We forgot the password for one of our laptops, and it was the only user and the admin on that laptop. Microsoft said that the only option is to reinstall windows.

HOW exactly can I do that if I can not get past the password request screen (EVEN in safe mode)?

Can someone explain where I need to go in BIOS in order to reinstall with the disk??

Answer 1

is it a password set in the bios, or one set for windows? bc if it is the one on the bios you will need to take apart the laptop and change a jumper setting to clear out the bios to reset the password, if it is one for windows then you will need to just put the install disk in the drive and make sure that cd rom is first boot under the bois and then reinstall windows, feel free to mail me with any other question

Answer 2

On the web, go find an iso download of the austrami linux standalone cd , burn the iso to a cd and then boot this cd on your system. (obvously you must use an alternate system to do this)

you can find it here... you must burn the iso to a cd.

http://cyti.latgola.lv/ruuni/index_en.html#progs

boot the cd and select 'nt_password' at the prompt

This invokes a linux utility that will tell you all of the users defined in the system and allow you to blank out their respective passwords and reset any locked passwords. Not for the faint of heart, but a revolutionary tool to get you back into the hell that is windows.

Answer 3

Read the laptop User Manual. It should explain how to Restore Windows.

If not, call the vendor.

TIP: The CD rom drive must be the first boot device.

Answer 4

Go here: http://www.echoproject.net/en/index.html
Then click on "Sofware" then "catalog".
Download that Windows XP Setup Simulator.