Locked out

[thebilger]

Hi guys, nice site. This is my first post.

I'm locked out of 7 because I forgot my password. I've tried the disc repair feature, and a password recovery program that won't run. I cannot get past the login screen and I cannot get installation disc to run in order to try to re-install.
If I press F2 at boot up I need the password. If I press F8 I get a repair option that finally tells me that there's nothing wrong.
It would seem that I need to rip the hard drive out and get a new one. Windows 7 has invaded my space!!! LOL
BTW, this was an upgrade from Vista. A legal one I might add.

 

[torrentg]

Hi and welcome.

You can do a clean install by booting to the DVD.

First though, I'd give this little utility a try. Try to blank the password instead of making a new one. Then just hit enter at login, for the password.

If it works, then create a new password once in Windows.

 

[Qdos]

You could go here and see what can be done... used to work for XP/Vista and I can't see any reason why it won't work for W7 really...

Windows XP Login Recovery - Window password recovery within minutes.

Choose the free option, it takes longer, but gets the same result.

 

[thebilger]

Hi and welcome.

You can do a clean install by booting to the DVD.

First though, I'd give this little utility a try. Try to blank the password instead of making a new one. Then just hit enter at login, for the password.

If it works, then create a new password once in Windows.

Thanks, but no go. Also, how do I get it to boot to the DVD? It will only go to login screen. I've tried rebooting with the install disc in the drive, and hitting f8 at start up, but I don't get an option to boot install dvd.

 

[Qdos]

Go into your BIOS and change the boot order. Usually you have to tap F2, Del or F10 on some machines...

 

[thebilger]

Go into your BIOS and change the boot order. Usually you have to tap F2, Del or F10 on some machines...

I can't get into BIOS, cuz I'm asked for password there as well. As for the recovery CD, the computer is not seeing it apparently.

 

[torrentg]

Go into your BIOS and change the boot order. Usually you have to tap F2, Del or F10 on some machines...

I can't get into BIOS, cuz I'm asked for password there as well. As for the recovery CD, the computer is not seeing it apparently.

Bios password and Windows password are totally separate things.

If you don't know your bios password, you can reset it by pulling the battery out or setting the jumper temporarily, for the purpose of cmos reset.

The cd had to have been burned as .iso, not data.

 

[thebilger]

OK, I tapped delete while booting and got into a Memory Diagnostics Tool screen. Running that now, will post results.

 

[thebilger]

Go into your BIOS and change the boot order. Usually you have to tap F2, Del or F10 on some machines...

I can't get into BIOS, cuz I'm asked for password there as well. As for the recovery CD, the computer is not seeing it apparently.

Bios password and Windows password are totally separate things.

If you don't know your bios password, you can reset it by pulling the battery out or setting the jumper temporarily, for the purpose of cmos reset.

The cd had to have been burned as .iso, not data.

Will try the battery reset after diagnostics finishes running.

 

[Qdos]

What are you running diagnostics for? It won't help with amnesia!

I'm not sure how you can credibly lose both your BIOS and Windows passwords...

 

[torrentg]

I'm not sure how you can credibly lose both your BIOS and Windows passwords...

Um, ya. Agreed.

I only woke up about an hour or so ago, give or take. My brain isn't completely functioning yet lol.

 

[Qdos]

It always raises suspicions of stolen hardware when people somehow manage to lose passwords on machines, especially when it's at more than one level!

 

[thebilger]

OK OK knock it off.
As expected, diagnostics did not help. I tried taking battery out and putting back, but I'm still being asked for password to get into BIOS.
Actually, I don't remember even setting a password for this machine cuz I'm the only one that uses it.

 

[thebilger]

It always raises suspicions of stolen hardware when people somehow manage to lose passwords on machines, especially when it's at more than one level!

Now that's bloody offensive.

 

[thebilger]

It always raises suspicions of stolen hardware when people somehow manage to lose passwords on machines, especially when it's at more than one level!

Windows OS's always raise suspicions for me.

 

[Qdos]

It always raises suspicions of stolen hardware when people somehow manage to lose passwords on machines, especially when it's at more than one level!

Now that's bloody offensive.

I disagree. It's a perfectly rational observation. Take it or leave it, but losing both your BIOS and Windows passwords is a little hard to understand. Nobody actually levelled any accusations at you for heavens sake.

 

[thebilger]

Now, assuming that you are still willing to help out, when I boot up and hit F10, I do get an "Edit Windows boot options" screen that simply errors out to "/NOEXECUTE=OPTIN"

BYW, not all of us Bahamians are attempting to extort money from famous people. In every bunch there's a few bad ones, no?

 

[thebilger]

It always raises suspicions of stolen hardware when people somehow manage to lose passwords on machines, especially when it's at more than one level!

Now that's bloody offensive.

I disagree. It's a perfectly rational observation. Take it or leave it, but losing both your BIOS and Windows passwords is a little hard to understand. Nobody actually levelled any accusations at you for heavens sake.

Well, like the water off a duck's back............Fahget about it!

 

[Qdos]

BYW, not all of us Bahamians are attempting to extort money from famous people. In every bunch there's a few bad ones, no?

I'm not xenophobic I'm afraid. However it seems to me that you've already got all the information you need to solve your issues within this thread.

 

[thebilger]

What are you running diagnostics for? It won't help with amnesia!

I'm not sure how you can credibly lose both your BIOS and Windows passwords...

I didn't even set password for BIOS. That, I am very sure of. As for the login, I was prompted to set a password, but I thought I had set the option of automatically logging in, cuz only I would be using this machine presumably.