System password

[Jezw]

Hello i'm new to PCHelp and I hope that there's

Someone out there that can help. My system

Is getting on a bit its Dell a dimension

E520 using XP Pro heres my problem.

When I boot up the pc it goes straight

Into asking for the system password

But the keyboard doesn't respond. I've

Checked the usb ports and tried a different

keyboard but its still the same.HELP.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, do you actually know that password?

We cannot help in matters regarding that actual password.

However, if the system is asking for that password before booting up, that is happening within the BIOS before Windows has started and therefore USB ports will likely not yet be active.

The only way round that is to use a keyboard and mouse with the PS2 type plugs and not USB.

PS2 are the round violet, or green ports, violet is the keyboard, and green is mouse.

 

If you do not know that system password, I am sorry but we cannot help with circumventing that, and please look at the forum rules for clarification as to why we cannot do so.

Rule 5 here :-

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/11463-New-to-Free-PC-Help-Forum-Rules#.Urw6mbSyM4c

 

Nev.

[Jezw]

Hello Nev thanks for your advice

yes I do have the password

but the pc has no serial sockets.

Any ideas. Thanks Jez

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Jez, My only other thought at the moment is to get into safe mode, from first power up, keep tapping the F8 key, hopefully you should get the Advanced start up options page, you need to choose "Safemode with Networking" if it will do so.

 

Let us know if it can get that far please.

 

Nev.

[RandyL]

I'm confused. Is this a BIOS password or a Windows logon password?

 

If it's a Windows password try what Nev said first.

 

If that doesn't work or if it's a BIOS password then the USB at bootup may be disabled in the BIOS.

 

You said you checked the USB ports. How did you do that? Does your mouse work? I see you also don't have a mouse port so your mouse must be USB too. Is this correct?

[Jezw]

Hello I think its BIOS password the mouse doesn't work and as I said all the ports are USB. Nev has told me to use F8 but that doesn't work either. Any ideas?

[RandyL]

Can you get into the BIOS? This is usually done by tapping the F2 or DEL key at startup on a Dimension? Resetting to default might work.

 

If not you may have to manually reset.

 

Do you have USB ports in front and back? If so have you tried all of them?

[Jezw]

Hello Randy i've used the delete key as you said and have the menu up. I've cleared the admin & system passwords & windows boots but doesn't recognise its password. What now?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, try the suggestion from RandyL first and see if that will get you the BIOS page to open, if so let us know.

 

Edit to add, now having seen you have cleared those passwords, try at least just the admin password back in again and see if that will work.

 

This post below may not now be relevant.

 

If on the other hand that doesn't work, you need to try resetting the BIOS, so are you OK at opening the desktop box?

 

If so, turn off the power at the mains socket, or remove the plug if no switch, the cover will be held on with two or three screws at the back, removing them will allow the lid to slide off backwards, (Sometimes a little stiff to move at first)

On the main mother board you should find a coin sized battery, possibly with the numbers CR2035 stamped on it and held in with a clip, carefully spring the clip and remove the battery and leave it out for five minutes, then replace the battery, make sure it goes back the same way up.

That will have reset the entire BIOS back to the factory default settings. See if you can then use the keyboard.

 

Also those batteries do not last for ever and may require replacement, they are pretty cheap and can be found in any retail outlet that has a large range of batteries. For example I get the same battery for a small LED torch from the local supermarket.

So if removing and replacement of the original does nothing try a new replacement instead.

 

Nev.

[Plastic Nev]

To avoid confusion I will post again rather than edit as above.

 

Do you have any disks for the computer? recovery, or better the full XP disk?

 

Nev.

[KenB]

It will probably be a case of too many cooks ............ but I will post anyway :)

 

You said this in post #1

it goes straight Into asking for the system password

But the keyboard doesn't respond.

 

Then in post #8

windows boots but doesn't recognise its password.

 

You accessed the BIOS - but what you have done will not enable the USB ports.

 

Is your mouse and keyboard working now?

 

Is it this screen that you cannot get past ?

http://windowsitpro.com/content/content/20542/xpwelcome.jpg

[RandyL]

It will probably be a case of too many cooks

I believe we are all thinking along the same lines Ken so don't quit cooking. :)

[Jezw]

Hi Guys, I've tried everything you've told me including the battery everything works up to the point of the windows password which still isn't recognised. If I go into BIOS and restore factory defaults would that do the trick? Thanks to you all for the help your giving. Jez

[KenB]

I know there are 3 of us offering suggestions but it would help if you could answer the questions asked to make things clearer for us.

 

I asked earlier ...

Is your mouse and keyboard working now?

 

Is it this screen that you cannot get past ?

 

If I go into BIOS and restore factory defaults would that do the trick?

You can give this a try - but removing the CMOS battery has much the same effect.

 

Are you sure that you have CAPS LOCK off ?

The password is case sensitive.

[Jezw]

Hi All, I get as far as the windows boot screen similar to the one shown, it asks for user and password which it doesn't recognise. The mouse and keyboard are working and caps lock is off. As you point out i've removed and replaced the battery so no need for factory default. Any further info greatly appreciated. Jez

[KenB]

OK - try this.

 

When you get to the Welcome screen hold down CTRL + ALT then press DEL twice.

This should give you the hidden Admin login.

If you have an Admin password set use this.

If not - leave it blank and hit ENTER

 

Any luck with this ?

[Jezw]

Hi Ken, thanks for the info i'll try it in the morning and get back to you. Jez

[RandyL]

Well at least we have USB devices like the keyboard and mouse working again. That's progress.

 

Follow Ken's advice. I know where he is going with this. If you do get into Windows I would advise backing up and making sure you have a method to reinstall.

 

But first things first. Follow Kens advice.

[Jezw]

Hi everyone I really appreciate the help your giving. I've tried Alt Control Delete as Ken suggested but nothing happens. The keyboard and mouse are working and I still have the windows log on screen is there anything else I can do? Jez

[KenB]

I've tried Alt Control Delete as Ken suggested but nothing happens.

You have XP Pro ?

If so - this should get you to the Admin login.

[Jezw]

Hello Ken, yes its xp pro I think its build mumber is 2 3 2 I have the log in screen up but control alt delete gives no response. Is there anything else I can try, other than chuck it out my window? Jez

[KenB]

but control alt delete gives no response.

You are tapping DEL twice ?

 

Do you have the installation CD ?

Dell usually provided these.

[Jezw]

Hello Ken, i've tried con-alt-del tapping del twice and no response I don't have the installation disk, any ideas? Jez

[KenB]

Download the manual for your machine - click here

Page 120.

Explains how to clear passwords using the jumper on the motherboard.

I am not convinced that this will do it for you as this will clear the BIOS password - but no harm done to try.

 

==============

 

Your machine may have a recovery partition.

( if you are going down this route you may lose all data photos files etc that is on the drive. If you need access to these it may be possible using an enclosure or adapter )

 

Switch on and immediately the Dell logo comes up hold CTRL down and tap F11 quite quickly.

You should get to the Recovery Options if the partition is there.

According to the manual - this machine should have come with a recovery disk.

 

I have seen just F12 alone suggested after the Dell Logo - you could try this ..... but the CTRL plus F11 method is the standard.

[Jezw]

Hello Ken, on this pc F12 doe's it.

The menu comes up but no recovery partition I do have a message on start up it says floppy

diskette missing F1 continue F2 setup, its a new one. I'm unable to download the manual. Jez