help please

[chelle73]

my son was given a pc (compaq with windows xp home ) , lady that gave him it can`t remember username and password as she had new pc some time ago . Is there a way of resetting the system or something to change these to enable my son to use it ?

[Dalo Harkin]

Did the lady - give you any disks with it??

when you boot it does it say recovery console press 'r' for example?

[chelle73]

No she never gave me any disks for him , not sure what you mean by boot but when I switch it on it comes straight to the login password screen.

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - if she no longer has the disks - the best bet would be to buy a new Operating System disk - BUT you then need to install the Operating system and if you have none of the disks that came with it some of the drivers are hard to find -

Get in touch with whoever gave you the laptop and ask if she has any of them.

[chelle73]

ok thank you will fone her later

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - post back and let us know what she says

 

Do you know the make of the laptop and then we can start looking for solutions if you cannot recover the disks?

[chelle73]

she does not have the discs anymore its an old system hence she gave to my son it`s a compaq evo d5105ff ?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Chelle

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Unfortunately unless you acquire the password from the previous owner we cannot commence any further on this issue as it would contravene Rule 5 located here.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/rules-please-read/1721-rules.html#post8820

[chelle73]

ok i do apologise never meant to break any rules sorry :(

[Guest Wolfeymole]

No that's fine Chelle but you must understand our position where we could be open to prosecution with regard to offering advice on circumventing passwords on possibly stolen equipment.

 

This is not to infer you are a thief.

[chelle73]

I do understand and should have thought just the system is that old the lady has forgotten herself , she gave to my son as she was gonna chuck out anyway . Doesn`t matter too much as he doesn`t know it but we are getting him a laptop for christmas :)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ok that would be the better option as it sounds like this machine is quite old Chelle.

 

It would be easy enough to install a new version of XP on the drive but if she has set a bios password then that is another matter.

 

Does this password screen come up immediately on boot up?

[chelle73]

yes it does come up when first switched on

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Then this is what is called a bios password and there are ways around this but again we cannot comment.

 

This password box appears before Windows loads yes?

[chelle73]

yes it does but honestly understand your position , it was only for him to mess on anyway he still has use of home pc when i`m not on lol :)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Thank you for your understanding, please feel free to post on any other computing issues you may have.

 

May I also advise that when you do buy your son a laptop that it is not from Britains biggest PC retailer.

[chelle73]

can u advise that then want one for him 13 and daughter whos 6 ? sorry if this is against rules just askin

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Go to a reputable dealer that offers thorough support Chelle not these, in my opinion, rip off and scarper merchants at PC World.

[Dalo Harkin]

We cant help with passwords but we can slate retailers :D

 

I personally would look at someone like ebuyer for a laptop they are good and cheap but as for the support - you know where we are :)

[Guest Saxon]

I worked for DSGi in the currys chain and I am more than able to say the tech guys are a joke my store was less than half a mile from a PCworld and I got numerous phone calls from them asking if I could help them with what is a minor issue.

 

Example 1) Hi Chris it's Garry from PC world we have a computer in one of the bays that has a AGP slot and the guy who brought it in want's us to fit a PCIe gfx card can we do that or are we going to have to sell him a new card?

 

Example 2 {SAME DAY}) Hi Chris it's garry again, I was just wondering if we can get DDR to work in a DDR2 slot.... at this point i face palmed.

 

Example 3) Hi Chris this is paul from PC world, We are having a issue with a laptop an we are wondering if you can help... This dude brought a laptop in for a hard drive upgrade an we cant get the new hard drive into the laptop. I was thinking ok he is trying to put a IDE drive in a SATA bay so I asked him to describe the back of the drive to me an I was partialy right... OK paul it sounds like you sill need help get Terry to ask my manager to send me down an i will take a look. When i get there the ass was trying to install a 3.5in drive in a 2.5in bay... At this point i burst out laughing.

 

If you want my advice buy a laptop from there but for gods sake don't get a what ever happens extended guarrintee take it to a local guy there normaly much more professional and a damn sight more educated.

[RandyL]

Great examples Saxon. I also agree with never getting extended warranties.

 

Chelle as to what type of computers you need is totally dependant on what you intend to use them for. Now and in the future.

 

Where you buy them is important but I think what brand you buy is important too. The first thing that comes to my mind is the level of support from the manufacturer.

 

Although I am not recommending any brand over another I've found some models totally lacking in support while others will offer support for quite some time when it comes to troubleshooting, driver updates and downloads etc.

 

I would also make sure you can obtain or make a set of recovery DVD's instead of just having the option to restore from a hidden partition on the hard drive.

[Dalo Harkin]

The worst one I have ever saw in person - was my old IT Director - he came in after 'shopping' for a new MOBO and CPU and he bought an AMD board and an Intel Processor - I couldnt help but laugh when the MD was slating him infront of my office lol

Just because people work in a specific sector does not mean that they know about all aspects of it ;)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well anyway I think Chelle has enough advice now to go on now so it's up to you Chelle.

[Guest Saxon]

If you get a few models in mind an can't decide what one you want we would be more than happy to assist with the decision making process.

 

Oh an randy thank's I have a ton of descriptions like that from that store, I had to go there very recently to get money back for a firend of mine who was ripped off by them as soon as they saw me they didnt argue it.

[chelle73]

thanks

 

Thanks guys for your help will be in touch no doubt when ready to buy as I have stated not very good with tech stuff so really dont know what im looking for would have probs gone retail for advice but dont think so now lol after u lot slating them hehehehe :D