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how to unlock my Dell computer. I set a startup user password, but cannot remember it. Have tried all my standard combinations. I use VISTA. How can I unlock it?
Optional Information: Computer OS: Windows Vista Browser: Chrome Already Tried: Tried to unlock my computer at logon. Cannot remember the password (hint not helping). Have tried all my normal combinations for a password.
HiWelcome to JustAnswer.comIn order to recover your lost account password XXXXX Vista, you may use a password XXXXX tool; I would suggest you to download the following freeware tool, in order to try and reset your password:http://nchc.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/pcloginnow/PCLoginNow_Full_2.0.iso
Once downloaded, please burn the ISO image to a CD/DVD disc, as follows:
http://www.petri.co.il/how_to_write_iso_files_to_cd.htm
After burning, bootup your system using the disc; the recovery tool, PC Login Now, will start automatically.
To delete your existing Windows password, follow the instructions on-screen accordingly. Choose your OS installation and then the user name for which you want the password XXXXX be deleted. Be sure to check the password XXXXX XXXXX checkbox after choosing your username; this will remove the password.
Now, you'll be prompted if you want to reset another user's password; choose No and then OK to reboot. Remove the disc as soon as the computer reboots, and load up your OS as you do normally, and see if you can login to your account now.
Let me know, how it goes.
i have downloaded the free ware to a "key" .. but cannot follow the next direction.
Have you burnt the ISO file?
i have downloaded the free unlock file onto a "key" ,, but don't know what to do next?
when I try to download the 2nd step (burn prog), I get a "buy" program only.
now what? (ref last answer,, "tried to download..")
You don't need to buy anything. You can download the ISO recorder from this link for free: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/Vista.htm
well, another problem,, i'm using my wife's comuter (since mine is locked) .. she is NOT VISTA. Her DELL is running windows xl
No problem. In that case you can use this software to burn the ISO: http://tinyurl.com/cz7tp
it is done, but did not set up an icon on desktop for running. Go to "programs" and find it?
Yes. And burn the disc and continue with the steps.
sorry, i am having problems with my wife's computer. NOW, I cannot get the "burn" program to format my blank re-writable disc so I can record the ISO program. I erased the DVD in another computer, but it says that it is "unreadable".
Try using a blank new cd/dvd.
sorry, but I'm still having a problem .. i have a new DVD in the computer, but now I cannot find your program to transfer to it.
Go through the same path, try to find in "All Programs"
i'm in "programs" (C drive) and find your name, but do not know which file will run the program
Click Start > All Programs > Try to find something like "ISO burner" > Open it.
sorry, nothing seems to be right for me. Can I get back to after abt. 10:15am Eastern Daylight time. I think I need tostart over using my laptop (it's on Vista). Thanks.
Ray
Sure Ray, take your time. I will be waiting. Thanks.
OK, I'm back. I have made the two discs from your ORIGINAL instrucion. Each one is on a seperate disc. I have tried to restart my comuter first using the no. 1 disc, then restarting with the no. 2 disc in. Still have the password XXXXX ...
Set the BIOS to boot from disc first please.
i don't know what that means (how to do it). I can do nothing on my computer ... the disc is in the drive, but I get the "login" screen and cannot do anything else.
Ok, restart the computer > tap and press f2 at startup > bios settings will appear > let me know once here.
unfortunately, I rebooted after hitting F12, and selecting "boot from cd/dvd rom" .. now I have a small screen (blank box)with "next" below it. DO I HIT IT?
Yes, great
i hit 2 "next" .. got a message: "you haven't select a windows you want to deal .."
(the little box is in the upper left part of the screen and all I can see is the "prev . next .. exit" ..
Choose your OS installation before proceeding(Clicking Next.)
i do not see "choose your OS ....."
It must be somewhere, try to find it. Choose previous, you may have missed it somewhere.
i do not see "choose your OS ....." all i have is the little white box in the upper left corner,, an black screen all the balance of screen (the box has the "prev/nxt/exit" ONLY)
cannot press "prev" .. when I press exit, it says "do you want to exit PC Login and reboot computer now?"
Reboot again with the disc and tell me what options you get from the start. I will give you step by step help.
do i use the no 1 disc (download) or the no. 2 disc .. in your first "downloads" message? i used the no. 2 this time.
ACTUALLY, I used the FIRST download ... ???
Use the disc in which you have burnt the ISO image.
OK, i'm on the SYSTEM screen . . can chose "System info.." "Processor info" and more on the left screen.
Can you choose operating system?
for SYSTEM, it shows "Processor info" "Memory info," and more , ,but cannot change these.
Should I have chosen F12 at startup vs. F2?
Yes. I thought you did that.
not on the second try,, I will go back, shut down, then choose f12 .. and get back to you.
Yes please. Thanks.
am on F12, "Boot device menu"
Choose cd to boot.
it tried to run the DVD, but nothing happens. It says "Selected boot device not available" .. meaning the no. 2 disc that i copied and have in the drive . I guess.
Yes. Use the disc which you were using before.
Here is my no. 1 and no. 2 Discs:
order to try and reset your password:http://nchc.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/pcloginnow/PCLoginNow_Full_2.0.iso
Use disc 2. Actually, I told you to download that ISO file and burn it to a disc. So no need of two discs. Only one disc is enough.
OK, we still have the screen "BOOT DEVICE MENU",, with 'ONBOARD OR USB CD-ROM DRIVE" highlighted.
Hit enter.
still comes back, "Selected boot device not available" .. the no. 2 disc IS in the drive. Should we try the no. 1 disc?
Yes.
ok, "burning the kernel" (whatever) .. and it's doing a LOT more line flashes (checking, etc).
Ok.
now it has stopped on that PREVIOUS little white box in the upper left corner of screen, with "prev" "next" "exit" ... note that prev does NOT do anything. This box appears to be "cut off" .. not allshowing.
Ok click next.
the "exit" action says "Do you want to exit PC login now and reboot computer now?"
NEXT says, "You haven't select a windows you want to deal ... "
I guess you must be missing something. Can you get me photos of both the screens?
i do not know how to take "photos" of the screens.
looks like we are not getting anywhere .. should we simply start at the very beginning again?
I guess you have not properly made the disc or the computer have other problem(s). The screen should look like this: http://www.pcloginnow.com/loginnow_guide.html
This is the full guide.
I don't know .. obviously, something is not workng right. The screen that I get is only about 1/4 of the "guide" sceen (and it's in the upper left corner).
I will go back and make another disc ... just no.1 . and try all of this again. I hope that I can get somewhere... Otherwise, I will just take the compunter in to BEST BUY and have them get rid of the old password XXXXX me.
Sure. Thanks.
I have retried the downloads and cannot get anything any different than we got earlier today.
ls there anything else / any way else that you can help me with? As you know we spent hours on this today .. neither of us have time to waste IF we cannot get it fixed.
Is there someone else who might have a different approach?
If not, I assume that I will go to the Geek Squad at Best Buy tomorrow and they will do it ... they said they could, at any rate.
Since the problem was not solved after due dillgence, I assume that there will be no charge from "Just Ask." ???
You can try using login recovery: http://www.loginrecovery.com/
Instructions here: http://www.loginrecovery.com/helppage.php