After initial setup of new laptop, I can't login

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  1. Posts : 9
    Win 7 Ultimate
       #1

    After initial setup of new laptop, I can't login


    I just picked up a Dell Inspiron at Costco. I did the initial install, gave it a computer name, user name and entered my password twice - the same password I've used for my home computer for the past 6 years.

    Now I can't log in. It's very unlikely I entered the wrong password twice, and have tried every combination I can possibly think of just to be safe, including leaving the field blank. I tried a few password recovery boot disks, but they've all failed/ been unable to find the password for that user.

    Conveniently, this laptop didn't come with a Windows 7 DVD so I can't just re-install.

    I already copied over a bunch of files so I'm a little paranoid about leaving personal stuff on a machine I'm about to return. Any suggestions as to how I can login now, or is the best option to just return it? If I can't login, can anyone else?
    Last edited by FredButters; 02 Apr 2012 at 14:38.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    Does that laptop have a recovery partition?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9
    Win 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #3

    kegobeer said:
    Does that laptop have a recovery partition?
    No, which I also found odd for a Dell. Just a C drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #4

    What Inspiron did you buy?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9
    Win 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #5

    kegobeer said:
    What Inspiron did you buy?
    Inspiron 17R
    i5 2.5GHz
    6GB RAM
    500GB HD
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #6

    You won't see the restore partition - at least not usually. Here are the procedures for using the restore in an Inspiron:

    http://support.dell.com/support/topi...&isLegacy=true

    I know your password isn't working, but you can give it a shot anyway.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    Just reinstall. This time don`t use a password. You can always do that in the future. Do you know how many times you will be restarting your pc in the next few days ? What with updates and programs etc. Dozens.

    Conveniently, this laptop didn't come with a Windows 7 DVD so I can't just re-install.

    You can always download the iso from here:

    http://www.mydigitallife.info/offici...digital-river/

    Give Kegobeers suggestion a try before you accidently wipe out the recovery partition.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9
    Win 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #8

    AddRAM said:
    Just reinstall.
    Thanks AddRAM. Question:

    If I return it, what's the likelihood that anyone could - or even would - access any of the files I've already put on there? I don't think there's anything sensitive, but just in case.

    It would be so much easier to just swap it for a new one.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #9

    Not to hit on the obvious but maybe try Caps Lock?

    Always p's me off when I spend 5 mins typing in a password that immediately turns to ***** as I type it in until I realize I was typing in caps because my fat little left finger strayed a bit to far left for a second...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9
    Win 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #10

    FourF said:
    Not to hit on the obvious but maybe try Caps Lock?
    At this point, I'll take any suggestion. However, that was one of the first things I tried. I even tried adjusting my hands one key to the left, then to the right to see if I was just not used to the newer keyboard.
      My Computer


 
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