Password reset - cannot boot from CD.

Are there several types of cd/dvd drives listed? I seem to remember that there were IDE/ATAPI and USB options for that. Try the USB cd/dvd drive as the first boot disk.

all you did was burn an image of the program that resets the admin account password. you didn't include the files required to boot the comp [e.g. boot to DOS mode]. Most password reset programs don't have the files needed to boot the computer only the files to reset the password. Suggest you read the information on the site you got the program from on how to use it.

There are some possible reasons;
1. When the computer is booting on some computers is a message like ?Press any key to boot from CD?, if is a CD in your CDROM.
2. Your CD is bootable? (try it on other computer)
Intel boot agent is a tool for booting from network.
For resetting the administrator password, there are other solutions. For see those go to following links:

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5455038.html?tag=search

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=193579&start=0&tag=search

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=39&threadID=195440&start=0&tag=search

Hi CG IT,
In resonse to sensible suggestions below - I must have a case of panic-over-rides-logic syndrome!

I will revert once I have R.T.F.Manual.

Cheers

Sophie
(Many thanks for being restrained with the well-deserved sarky comments.)

All it's trying to do is boot from the NIC (it's a PXE network adapter), why? Couldn't tell you. But, it should be changelable in the boot order.

look the BIOS has many different options available for boot order. the Intel boot agent as Clichowi suggested is the PXE boot which means the computer will boot using the NIC card to locate a DHCP server on the network in which to get an IP address from, then install an O/S via a RIS server [there other applications for a PXE capable NIC but that's not the problem here].

Instead of a CD [if you have a new Dell this won't work as they don't have floppy disks] create a Windows 98 or XP boot disc set which includes boot with CD ROM support [MSCDEX]. Boot to the floppies [with CD ROM support] then run the program from the CD or hopefully the program you have also has a floppy version. Stick the program on a seperate floppy, boot using the Windows boot discs then insert the floppy with the program on it and run the program.

note: these types of programs typically only reset the default administrator password. Typically they do not reset any user passwords who are members of the administrators security group.

If this is a company computer and some how you removed it from the domain, you will not be able to add it back unless you know the user name and password with the permissions to do this. As for the Bios or system not letting you change things.
Most computers and laptops will let you set a password that you have to use to change settings.
IBM ThinkPad?s if I remember right are the third screen in, you can disable the password but on a laptop it is vary hard to do. You need to remove the battery, put something between the battery so it will stop powering the system.

Sophie,
One of the replies I reckon was close to the mark ... as it seems all you have done is to make a copy of the OS install files onto a CD, and unless it was a 100% full ISO copy of an install CD there is NO way that CD can boot.
You will need to get hold of an official Bootable OS install disk (which you can test in that computer to see if it will allow the CD boot option) and use your copy of the files - copy those to a folder on the hard drive. Now run your burner program set to Create a Bootable CD, select your files and when prompted you will need the genuine disk so the burner can capture the boot sector files to add to your creation.
(but, after all is done, there is still that chance the OS on that computer may be setup to search for the Network protocol to initialise the boot-up).

Sophie,
How old is the computer? In dealing with IBM laptops on a daily basis, I have seen many a bad CD drive where even if you are using a good bootable CD, they still won't boot up. Seems the motor for spinning the disc up and reading cd contents slows, and therefore the BIOS just skips the CD drive in general. Like mentioned before, try the CD on another system and see if it boots up, if so, it's the CD Drive. Also, if this CD drive is in the Ultrabay, as IBM cals it, you can pull the CD drive and attempt to purchase a newer one. Just my 2 cents...
Good Luck!

Boot From Floppy!
Use A Bootable Win 98 Disk!
Care Full Don't Fry Your Data!

Hi to everyone who has so kindly added comments to this thread this week!

I had to hold off from fixing this for a week or so, I hope to return to the problem, and the replies I haven't had a chance to loo at alittle later today or tomorrow.

Many thanks

Sophie

Have you tried to flash the BIOS?

If you are running the latest version on the BIOS then try and flash it with a previous version. This usually works.

So many answers so little knowledge.
As soon as you turn on the ThinkPad, keep pressing the F8 key. When the menu comes up, choose "Boot from CD"

The solution is to remove the adminstrator password by buying such a program and booting from an external floppy or USB drive.

Hi Sophie,
I had a similar problem whilst experimenting with domains & pc's i downloaded a item called ultimate boot cd from the link below, and amongst its various utilities is a password reset tool v.good - it worked for me!

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

cheers Chris

Hi Everyone - many thanks for your comments - they not only helped me to resolves this problem, but helped me to navigate my way around bootable disks muchmore effectively in future.

In the end I opted to use Austrumi - bootable Linux O/S - which did the trick a treat.

I thought these bootable CDs were fab - and will be playing with the Knoppix one to try out the freebie officer packages etc - I think i could become a convert!

Many thanks

Sophie

Hi Everyone - many thanks for your comments - they not only helped me to resolves this problem, but helped me to navigate my way around bootable disks muchmore effectively in future.

In the end I opted to use Austrumi - bootable Linux O/S - which did the trick a treat.

I thought these bootable CDs were fab - and will be playing with the Knoppix one to try out the freebie office packages etc - I think i could become a convert!

Many thanks

Sophie