Administrator Password

[Ghosthunter]

Hi, I have bought a HP laptop ( dare I say it, from a boot sale ). I was shown it working although windows was playing up a bit. I decided to format the drive and install my own Windows XP . When I come to install it says I cannot go on unless I have the admin password. Neither myself or the man I bought it off know the password. Can I install windows at all or is it going in the dustbin.

[Tootech]

Can you get into the BIOS - if not, its a BIOS password, and on a laptop it's not easy to remove, so I'd bin it.

 

If you can, it may be a hard drive password - that being the case, I'd ditch the drive and fit a new one.

 

Apart from that you are goosed I'm afraid.

[danzil]

hi

depending on what laptop you have the password can be removed, if it is a bios password.

we need to know if you can get into the bios at all. that way we can tell if it is a hard drive or bios password..

try tapping the "DELETE" key and/or F2 at the post

regards

danzil

[RandyL]

I really hate to say this but I must.

 

This is taken from the following HP link.

A Password is Required Causing the Computer to not Startup or Boot in Windows XP - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Power On

The Power On password is set in the System BIOS options. It prevents unwanted users from accessing the computer. By default, HP does not set the Power On password. If you set the Power On password in the System BIOS options you will be prompted for it immediately after you power on the Notebook PC.

If this password is forgotten, a repair at an HP certified repair center is required to reset the computer. Please contact HP to schedule a repair. This service is not covered by the warranty

 

So the problem I have is that the guy you bought it from does not know the password and HP says they don't set one by default. This implies that the possibility exists that the guy you bought it from may not have owned it as you say "Neither myself or the man I bought it off know the password".

If it's a Windows logon password and not a BIOS password then it's still the same situation. The seller would or should know it.

A comp that's playing up is suspect too in light of everything else.

 

As much as I hate to say it this might be a case of the seller not having rights to this computer. That's why we have certain rules pertaining to password issues.

 

Please read Rle 5 of The Rules to see why.

[Match]

I would just like to add to RandyL, and say that any reputable forum will take the same approach and hit you with a similar rule, your best option would be to take it to a Computer Repair shop where you are able to verify your ownership

[Ghosthunter]

I would just like to add to RandyL, and say that any reputable forum will take the same approach and hit you with a similar rule, your best option would be to take it to a Computer Repair shop where you are able to verify your ownership

Many Thanks for all your help everyone. I might have known there was some reason it was been sold. I will not be buying anymore from boot sales. Regards.