purchased pawn shop computer, cannot bypass previously set users.

foreveriam · 06 Mar 2013

hi, i just bought a used acer aspire netbook today from a local pawn shop and i am unable to get to the main desktop screen because it has 2 users with password that i do not know from its previous owners. i was hoping someone could tell me of a way to either reset it completely without the passwords so i can establish myself as the computer's administrator or if someone has the information on how to bypass the prior accounts so i can remove those 2 accounts and make one for myself. Thank you!

indianacarnie · 06 Mar 2013

Not real sure I should reply to this to tell you the truth. (I'm afraid that this could be against forum rules) Yes I know a way.......but. The pawn shop did not give you the password? Years back, in a really rough time for me I took a lappy to the pawn shop for a couple of weeks. I had to prove that it was working and had to supply the password. Let me seek some clarification on this.

Welcome to the forums by the way.

Thorsen · 06 Mar 2013

It is not normal policy to discuss password mitigation. I would suggest going back to the pawn shop and seeing if they can access the computer for you. I would think you had a chance to see the computer working in the store before purchase. Otherwise, googling it might find what you need. I can not in good concience circumvent the passwords for you. Otherwise, you could reinstall the OS fresh (which I would suggest anyway since it has data and someone elses programs).

Sorry

indianacarnie · 06 Mar 2013

Thorsen said:

It is not normal policy to discuss password mitigation. I would suggest going back to the pawn shop and seeing if they can access the computer for you. I would think you had a chance to see the computer working in the store before purchase. Otherwise, googling it might find what you need. I can not in good concience circumvent the passwords for you. Otherwise, you could reinstall the OS fresh (which I would suggest anyway since it has data and someone elses programs).

Sorry

I'm afraid this goes for me too. Been thinking about it and came back to see Thorsen has beaten me to it. And said it much better and more eloquently than I could.

Alejandro85 · 07 Mar 2013

Google has a LOT of programs that can delete Windows passwords and get full computer access (it's really easy to bypass the Windows accounts' security). A quick search will show you a few.

But anyway, I vote too for the option of a full clean reinstall. Not only solves the password thing, but also gives you a 100% clean system to begin with, and not having to deal with the previous owner crapware and concentrate on your own. Many times Windows machines become so bloated that a full reinstall is easier than fixing them, more if you don't know what others have done to it.

rhuds13 · 08 Mar 2013

If you are now the legal owner you can purchase original factory restore discs.

Borg 386 · 08 Mar 2013

Thorsen said:

Otherwise, you could reinstall the OS fresh (which I would suggest anyway since it has data and someone elses programs).

Excellent suggestion, since you have no idea if the former owner let any viruses onto his system. Best bet is to start clean.

Lost your Windows discs? How to get replacement media, legally

Solarstarshines · 08 Mar 2013

To be honest with you buying a pawnshop Pc can have a bit of issues especially if the person didn't take care of it properly also with the money you will be spending on a OS and repair it would have been more cost efficiant to just purchase a new one from walmart or a store along those lines

The only and best thing to do is re install windows and get all the driver files from the ACER site and after that it should be back to normal if there is still support for your laptop that is if not you might have to contact Acer for a full reboot disk that might cost you 25 to 30 bucks but it does also beat out getting the whole OS and install and looking for drivers and all

those are pretty much your only options A-Buy an OS or B-contact Acer

Kari · 08 Mar 2013

Seems I keep posting stuff that slowly makes me lose all virtual friends here, making me the most unpopular member. Here we go again:

The only possible and acceptable solution to offer to the OP here is to do what Thorsen, Borg and Solarstarshines have told: Do a fresh, clean install, either with your own valid install media or ordering it from Acer.

I find all further methods and discussion about them totally irresponsible and both ethically and morally wrong. Even hinting the OP where to find relevant information is in my opinion disgusting, as this case involves personal information from previous owners of that computer. If cracked or passwords bypassed, the new owner could have access to banking, tax, social security, health, insurance, simply all kinds of protected personal data, as well as emails and such if the user had enabled "Remember me" / "Keep me signed in" or similar options. Not to speak about personal photos and documents such as diaries, letters, CV and so on, as well as sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and such.

Nobody except the old owners has right to that information, any ethically thinking person would not even think other options than to clean install wiping the HDD empty.

Kari

Thorsen · 08 Mar 2013

I agree Kari. I know I protect my data, but I can't assume others do and I wasn't thinking in that manner. Also, if the OP was not going to get an answer here, I would assume the first thing he would do, as any sane person would, is google it so I didn't think that was a "hint" but I see your point. Seeing this post initially, I was reluctant to say anything at all (and sometimes, that's the best policy)