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Question

can't get into windows XP

by Jun 17, 2011 3:37AM PDT

I'm trying to help a friend with his computer. Unfortunately I don't know much myself. When the computer is turned on it comes up with a blue screen saying enter password, but when he puts his password in it says invalid password. Either he has forgotten his password or the computer has. How can we get windows running, preferably without a password?

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Clarification Request
Tell us more.
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 17, 2011 7:03AM PDT

Do you mean the Welcome Screen?

The computer doesn't usually forget passwords unless the user's profile has become corrupted or virus infected in some way.

If either is the case then we can use our backup Admin user account to sort out the problem. Has your friend tried that yet?

Mark

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cc
by xzcup Jun 17, 2011 7:13AM PDT

No he hasn't tried that and nor have I because we don't know how to.

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bb, cc?
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 17, 2011 7:19AM PDT

Sorry, don't know what they mean.

When we see members who reply with 'We don't know how', it gets very difficult to proceed. For self-repair some knowledge of computers is required, and whilst I am not wishing to be rude, it seems neither you nor your friend have this knowledge.

Your best bet is to find some reputable computer repair shop where you live, take this computer to them, and ask them to help and have a look at it.

Good luck.

Mark

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What Mark meant:
by Kees_B Forum moderator Jun 17, 2011 7:25AM PDT

Login to one of his other accounts (an account with administrator capabilities) in stead of the one he normally uses. You're not telling he doesn't know how to login, do you?

Kees

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Answer
Passwords
by Jun 17, 2011 5:01AM PDT

I am a member of eight Help Forums (Moderator on one) and info on bypassing system passwords is frowned upon, and usually not provided.

If you don't have the information to access the machine you are looking at possibly formatting and reinstalling the OS.

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Answer
Re: blue screen
by Forum moderator Jun 17, 2011 7:08AM PDT

Seems more like a BIOS password than a Windows XP password. Forcefully resetting the BIOS usually helps if that's the case.

Kees

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Answer
bb
by Jun 17, 2011 7:14AM PDT

How would I do that?

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Re: resetting BIOS
by Kees_B Forum moderator Jun 17, 2011 7:19AM PDT

Most motherboard have a switch or jumper to do that. See http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-Your-BIOS
The manual that came with the motherboard should tell.

But removing both the normal power and the CPU backup battery works also. The motherboard manual shows where it's located in case you can't find it yourself (it looks like the battery in your watch).

Kees

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