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Question

Trouble signing onto my laptop; forgot password

by Sep 12, 2012 3:55AM PDT

I haven't signed on to my laptop that I bought from former co-worker of mine (really savvy with computers) in a few months and I've forgotten the password to log-in. There was no animosity between us after the purchase - he ended up quitting and getting a job elsewhere. I have a Dell Inspiron 1720 with Windows 7 Professional. All though, as evidenced from the bottom of the laptop, he did upgrade the OS at one point from Windows Visa but I am not sure which edition it was. I downloaded the Password Reset Wizard via from my parents home computer on to a new/unused USB flash drive. I clicked on the appropriate drive, typed in a new password, typed it again to confirm and typed in the password hint. After doing all of that, this error message came up "An error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this user account." Did I do something wrong? And at this point, I am stumped. I haven't been able to get in touch with the former co-worker. Should I call Microsoft and ask for them to send me a Windows 7 disk, buy it online (saw the cheapest price on Newegg for $139.99) or should I try a Windows password recovery tool? If so, which one?

If there any other questions that you might have in order to assist me further, please ask.

Thank you in advance.

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
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Answer
A few points.
by Forum moderator Sep 12, 2012 4:03AM PDT

1. If this is a Windows Password I use NTPASSWD which is free and takes about 5 minutes tops to clear the admin password. Then I can log in as the admin and clear other account passwords as needed.

2. As to the call to Microsoft, since this is a Dell, it's more likely to be the Dell version so no, Microsoft will not be the company to call.
Bob

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Another question
by doomspider Sep 25, 2012 12:51PM PDT

Is it possible to download a software program on to the home computer (which I've been using) in order to download the Password Reset Wizard on to another USB flash drive so that it will possibly read that its for the laptop and not the home computer? If that's possible, what program should I check out? And if this doesn't work, why? Thanks again.

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Don't know.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 26, 2012 1:36AM PDT

Why? Because NTPASSWD is a 5 or less minute free software and since it works I've never had need to do anything else.

Bob

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Not sure
by doomspider Sep 27, 2012 1:44PM PDT

I don't know what NTPASSWD is. Sorry.

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(NT) Did you try it on any search page (google?)
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 27, 2012 3:43PM PDT
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Used it but had zero success
by doomspider Oct 1, 2012 3:16PM PDT
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I use NTPASSWD a lot.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 1, 2012 4:29PM PDT

I boot it, and in less than 5 minutes I answer the questions to reset the password. I'm unsure if any tutorial is required. I can only guess you didn't like the menu (pick a number system, no mouse?)
Bob

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Attempt #2
by doomspider Oct 2, 2012 2:53PM PDT
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Could be a RAID system.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 2, 2012 4:06PM PDT

But such are usually run by those that know such. That is, I can't guess this.
Bob

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