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Administrator Password at boot up

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26 replies

by jimboguthery

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I have a compaq laptop. Had to reformat harddrive. Installed xp pro completely. When laptop starts for first time it immediately asks for administrator password. I believe it is in the bios and it is somehow protected to where I can not locate it in the bios. Is there a way to remove or correct this issue. I would like to be able to use the laptop again.

26 replies

by downrighttired

do you not remember setting it? good luck getting an answer but you can always google the service manual for it see if theres a password jumper or try resetting the cmos by taking battery out for 10 mins.

by jimboguthery

Laptop is bosses wife. She can not find any of original software. Just trying to help them out. It is not a bios password, it is a administrator password for xp pro.

by charliespencer

Reformatting a hard drive and reinstalling XP would not affect the BIOS. Is the BIOS asking for a password (usually a simple box on a black screen) or is XP asking for the password (fancy graphics, XP logo, etc.)?

if it's XP asking for the p/w, the default password for the XP Administrator account is a blank or null password. Try leaving the password blank and clicking OK.

by collett.sean

There are two different passwords that can be set in the bios. 1. Standard Cmos password which can be reset by a jumper or removing the cmos battery. 2. Administrator password, and as far as I know, no way to crack that one. IBM's have a hard drive password that can be set, not sure on Compaq.

by charliespencer

Since he wiped the drive and reinstalled XP, I'm betting he's seeing an XP login prompt with the XP Admininstrator username already displayed. There is no way just reinstalling the OS would configure a BIOS Admin p/w. Unless he did more than the initial post says...

by jimboguthery

It is the second of the two choices. Administrator Password.

by jimboguthery

Yes it is asking me for administrator password. It opens all the way up to windows, but then asks for administrator password.

by rashi_raja

I want to locate the administrator pasward. When my operating system loged on it requires an administrator pasward besides i have also a restricted account which i am using at this time but i needs to locate an administrator pasward. Waiting for your reply

by jimboguthery

I believe it is XP asking for password, because it is a screen just like as if you had multiple user.
Yes, I tried leaving the screen blank, as well as typing Compaq.

by rob miners

did you format the hard drive?
If the previous owner did not supply the original software where did XP Pro come from?

Did you use the Recovery Option at POST to restore the OS?

by jimboguthery

Yes, I formatted the hard drive. The XP Pro is mine, and I am helping my boss's wife. It is her laptop, and they have misplaced the disks as well as the manual. If has been a real pain for me.

by rob miners

You shouldn't be installing your software onto someone elses PC. It is considerd Piracy. You said that you only formatted the drive. If you haven't destroyed the partitions you may be able to restore it by hitting a key just after post. It should be F10. If it works let it rebuild the system and give it back. If it dosen't give it back and tell her that you are unable to continue without the original CD's. Sometimes doing someone a favor isn't worth it.

by downrighttired

So then what your saying is that since getting the laptop youve re-formatted the hard drive, installed your copy of XP and you dont have the password for the admin account?
IF this is right,I dont understand how the admin account has a paswword not set by you. BUT the only way I know of to correct this would be through some form of live cd. I have one that will let you reset windows passwords but cant remember the name of it. Its in my car, ill post it at lunch. You could try searching for 'live windows repair cd' or 'bootable windows repair cd' you might find a free one.

by jimboguthery

You have it correct. It is asking for XP Adininstrator password. Do you have any ideas?

by charliespencer

If the system has an XP license on the case, and he's using his disks but that license number, then it's perfectly legal.

Why not boot it from the XP CD, wipe the drive, and reinstall XP again? It's going to be quicker than playing e-mail tag. This time, watch the installation closely. At some point, usually toward the end of the installation process, it's going to ask you to enter an owner name, a system name, and an Administrator password. It may be best to contact the owners and ask them what they want that password to be, since they're the ones who will be using it.

by ugadata

Presuming the Administrator password wasn't set during the install, it is possible that it was set through a modified unattended.txt file.

I haven't seen mention of how the actual install was done. (I presume boot from CD, and weather the CD is a "Retail" or "OEM" or even an "Nlited" copy)

by downrighttired

hard to tell from the vague description of what was done, but this could deff be the problem

by rob miners

see to many licence keys on laptops these days, they are mainly volume agreements and more often than not the OS is on a hidden partition. They don't normally require activation either.
Edit: The OS is set for an auto install and all the user has to do is set the Location.
I might have to retract that last statement Palmetto, just had a look at my records 6 out of 8 notepads didn't have a Licence Sticker. It is a requirement for OEM System Builders to make sure it is on there. I took it that he was going to use his key.

by charliespencer

You're thinking corporate, but nowhere does the guy say he's working under volume agreement. It's probably a retail machine.

I do think it's odd we haven't heard back from him lately. Either he's got it fixed or he wasn't for real. I'm unsubscribing from this topic.

by downrighttired

is the utility I was thinking of. Its not free though.... havnt come across a similar free util.

by rob miners

cant get it anymore it is no longer supported. M$ have taken over and they are only supporting current contracts that will be phased out. I havent tried it yet but here is a link to a 30 day trial.
Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset

http://tinyurl.com/2bn5vk

by downrighttired

i saw something mentioned that windows had bought winternals. SUCKS! fortunately i still have my copy! if you can SOMEHOW find a copy on the internet its definitely worth getting.

by jimboguthery

Still not fixed and yes I am for real. Do not think this is to much fun. Would rather have installed completely and be done with it. But, have decided to use friends windows xp home edition and use the key code on the back of the laptop. Maybe that will fix the problem....

by selvaganapathy_1979

have a compaq laptop. Had to reformat harddrive. Installed xp pro completely. When laptop starts for first time it immediately asks for administrator password. I believe it is in the bios and it is somehow protected to where I can not locate it in the bios. Is there a way to remove or correct this issue. I would like to be able to use the laptop again.

by older mycroft

There are TWO reasons why you'll spend an eternity waiting for an answer:-

#1 You've dropped your brand new question right smack-bang in the middle of a thread that's well over a year old!

#2 We, the members of TechRepublic - A Resource for IT Professionals, will not assist anyone in the recovery/removal of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover/remove a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Due to the open nature of this forum, any assistance given to help circumvent security measures, even for legitimate purposes, would be available for unscrupulous individuals to use for illegitimate purposes. This is a risk that we, the members of TechRepublic, will not take. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic.

If you have a legitimate need to circumvent a password scheme, please contact the vendor for the software / hardware and request their assistance. E.g. Windows XP password recovery/removal issues should be taken up with Microsoft's technical support, Phoenix BIOS password recovery/removal issues should be taken up with Phoenix Technologies, hard drive password recovery/removal should be taken up with the manufacturer of the hard drive, etc...

To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread.

This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.

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