how to remove a password?

Question

My husband brought home a used computer from his job. When the computer starts up it has the old owners name and a password is required. i can log in as a guest, but i cant do anything, like downloads or add my internet, nothing like that. it runs windows xp professional. Please help me, and if I have to wipe out the hard drive, how do i do that?

Answer 1

Help with a lost Windows password

Windows includes a hidden Administrator account that can be used for problems with other accounts. You can access it by restarting the computer into safe mode.
First, restart the computer. As it starts, repeatedly press the F8 key (some computers instead require the Delete or Esc key). Instead of the familiar Windows screen, you'll see a text-only Advanced Options Menu. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode. Then press Enter.
Select the Administrator account. By default on most computers, it requires no password. Once logged in, you can change the password of the account you normally use.
To make the change, click Start>>Run. In the box, type "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes) and click OK. Select your normal account name in the list. Click the Reset Password button. You'll be prompted for a new password. You can restart the computer and use the new password on your normal account.
If you're completely locked out of your computer, you'll need software. Such services include Login Recovery, FastCrack, and NT Password and Registry Editor. Each is free. They make use of boot disks that you can download to a floppy or burn to CD. Of course, you'll have to use some other computer to do the downloading.
Once you've got access to your computer, set a new password through Windows. To do it, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click User Accounts. Select your account and click "Change my password." You'll be prompted for a new password.
You'll also have the opportunity to enter a password reminder. It should trigger your memory if you ever forget your password. But the reminder should not be descriptive enough to allow others to determine your password.

Answer 2

Just do this to change the password,

Give this a try, When you start your computer up, right before it mentions that windows is loading start tapping the f8 key over and over again.
You should get a windows advanced options menu.
From there select safe mode.
You should see a login screen with Administrator, and your username. Choose Administrator.
Then, Goto Start > Control Panel > Users > Select your user account > Change password > Then take it from there :P
Once your done, reboot the computer and allow it to start normally.

Answer 3

Wiping the hard drive would have to be done from the BIOS. This is a little hard if you have never done it. There are a couple of options: ask your husband to find the gentleman what the password is - if you get it, you can add/remove users and passwords from the control panel. If not, I would google password cracking software.

Answer 4

this can be tricky depending where the pass word has been set if its just in windows there are ways around it if its in your cmos then you may have to format .first of all why cant your husband get the password this would solve all your problems