Solved Laptop suddenly requires password for log in

[JaneJJ]

Our family laptop (HP Pavillion g7, Windows 7) suddenly needs a password to log in. We did not have a password set for this computer. We were on it this weekend and it did not require a password. Can not log in safe mode. If this is a virus, how do we get rid of it?

 

[FliGi7]

Is it possible someone who was accessing the computer this past weekend decided to put one on? It could be a virus that has instantiated a password. At this point, you have two options. One, you can use a DOS Boot CD and command line options to erase or reset the password. Two, you can do a repair install. I would go for the latter as that at least better guarantees that the virus will be gone, if one is on there.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[wanchoo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums Jane.

A trip to Remove Windows 7 Password - How To Remove Your Windows 7 Password - Delete Windows 7 Password may give you some idea about how to solve your problem.

Looks more like a member of the family has inadvertently set a login password.

 

[JaneJJ]

I was the last one on the laptop, then I hid it for punishment. So I have a feeling one of those sites we were grounded from the laptop for may have downloaded a virus. I wish someone had reset it but everyone but mom was on a fishing trip!! Thanks for your help. I'll see what I can do.

 

[FliGi7]

At this point, I'd really recommend the Repair Install. It will likely save you a lot of headaches in the case there is a resident virus.

Also, please make sure you are running some sort of antivirus on there. You are, right?

 

[JaneJJ]

Is it possible someone who was accessing the computer this past weekend decided to put one on? It could be a virus that has instantiated a password. At this point, you have two options. One, you can use a DOS Boot CD and command line options to erase or reset the password. Two, you can do a repair install. I would go for the latter as that at least better guarantees that the virus will be gone, if one is on there.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Does repair install requires a password?

 

[FliGi7]

Nope. It's a really simple process, actually. Just read through the link posted. It details everything.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jane, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, if you are not able to log in to Windows on the laptop, then you will not be able to do a repair install since a repair install requires to be done from within Windows and not at boot.


If you do not have access to Windows, then you may be able to use METHOD FOUR or METHOD FIVE in the tutorial below to reset the password.

Reset User Account Password - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[FliGi7]

Whaaat? A repair install requires you to know the password? Never knew that. Sorry about the misinformation there, Jane.

 

[Brink]

Whaaat? A repair install requires you to know the password? Never knew that. Sorry about the misinformation there, Jane.

Well, technically it does.

A repair install is basically just a inplace upgrade install, but using the same edition currently installed to upgrade to instead of a higher edition.

 

[JaneJJ]

If this is a virus, will the password re-set do me any good or should I try to get rid of the virus instead? I've been trying to re-boot from a disk, but I can't figure out how to do that. You can tell I am no computer whiz...

 

[FliGi7]

The password reset is only half the battle, if indeed you have a virus, as once you log back in you'll still need to safely remove it. It's certainly doable, once you have the password, as you can then log in via safe mode and scan the machine. Are you running any sort of antivirus?

 

[JaneJJ]

Good grief. I may be in over my head. I purchased this lap top about 3 months ago for my college age son while his was in the shop (engineering major couldn't go without a lap top) so the anti-virus that was on it when we bought it may have expired. This weekend was the first time I was on it, so I have limited info - especially since I can log on!! I appreciate everyone's help and patience with me. Your giving me hope!

I downloaded a windows recovery disk so I'm about to burn the disc and see if it works. I may be taking it to someone next week!!

 

[JaneJJ]

I guess I'll mark this as answered. Nothing worked, but I found the F11 key and reset the laptop to factory settings. I have made sure the anti-virus is on, and once again set NO passwords. Thank you all for your input. What a great bunch of folks on this forum!

 

[FliGi7]

Great, that's probably your best option in this case. Good job.

 

[Bumpkin]

You might want to reconsider about using passwords.

Make a password for the account your are using and then make a second administrator account with a strong password that other family members can't guess. You will have a second way to access your computer in case the first password gets changed or corrupted.