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

[FredButters]

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?

 

[kegobeer]

Does that laptop have a recovery partition?

 

[FredButters]

Does that laptop have a recovery partition?

No, which I also found odd for a Dell. Just a C drive.

 

[kegobeer]

What Inspiron did you buy?

 

[FredButters]

What Inspiron did you buy?

Inspiron 17R
i5 2.5GHz
6GB RAM
500GB HD

 

[kegobeer]

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/top.../kcs/document?&docid=DSN_353562&isLegacy=true

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

 

[AddRAM]

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/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

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

 

[FredButters]

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.

 

[FourF]

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...

 

[FredButters]

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.

 

[gregrocker]

Use this to try getting in - worked for me: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85657-password-reset.html

If not you can copy out your files using free Paragon rescue disk; recover data

You can also get a superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in the link.

Or you can contact Dell Tech Support which is included for the first year along with full hardware warranty.

Or you can take it back.

 

[FredButters]

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.

I did not, however, adjust only my right had to the right and type my password. I moved from a 15" to a 17" and apparently was thrown off by the larger keyboard.

Interesting that I had three Password Recovery boot tools fail on me. OphCrack and Ainorsoft's Basic DVD and Enhanced USB products.

Next up, I'll have to create a password reset disk/USB

Thanks for all the suggestions.