Windows 7 - Password workaround?

I just got a laptop from an Ebay seller. It's a Lenovo Thinkpad T61. He advertised it as having no hard drive. It just arrived -- with hard drive. I fire it up and it was apparently a corporate laptop with WinXP Pro. Problem is, it wants a password. I'm sure the seller doesn't have it; he probably got these bulk and no further info -- or under orders to wipe the drives. . . So he screwed up.

Q: Can I somehow get into this WinXP Pro system? If not, I have a copy of a Vista upgrade. Can I use it without knowing the WinXP Pro password?

This is not a big deal. Again, none of my data is on this thing. But it would be nice to avoid the cost of a new OS install. . .

I think I'd just be inclined to install Vista, have a look at this Microsoft article:

Installing and reinstalling Windows Vista

As long as you have the product keys you should be fine and it'll be better to start off with a clean drive.

But if I run the Vista upgrade disk on a WinXP Pro, won't it just carry over the WinXP account/data? I'd still be locked out not knowing the password, wouldn't I?

Please have a look at this Microsoft tutorial: Installing and reinstalling Windows Vista

Providing you choose the Custom install your Windows XP operating system will be automatically replaced and you'll have no further worries on the password issue.

What you *should* probably do is report the vendor to the police - the machine is very possibly stolen (and they almost certainly broke various laws on advertising or sales quality).

OTOH, what you can do, is order a set of Recovery disks from the manufacturer - this will install whatever the original OS was (check the COA sticker on the case) without the hassle of having to look for the right drivers.

It's against forum rules for anyone to help you bypass the password. I'm sure you can understand why? If your laptop was lost or stolen you I'm sure you wouldn't want someone helping the thief get in and access your personal info?

I doubt it was stolen. Companies off-load "pallets" of their old laptops to resellers all the time. I'm sure there was a slip up, though. It was advertised as having no drive. The computer is going towards a church multi-media room, so we can all relax . . . ironic since I'm a pagan.

Yes, I don't think its stolen either but forum rules still dictate that we shouldn't help. It sucks but thats the way it is these days. I can't blame the site ownwer either. Nobody wants to get in trouble.

You can Google for missing passsword and find something I am sure. I would install Vista.