Windows 7 Login: username or password is incorrect

[rainman400]

Hey guys,

I have seen similar threads in some places, but none of them seemed to have exactly the same problem I have been having. Anyway, I have an Alienware M17x with Windows 7 installed. Yesterday, Windows stopped accepting my login credentials and kept giving the error "the username or password is incorrect". I never did change my password, and no one else has access to my laptop. My password was about to expire, but it never prompted me to enter a new password ever. I have tried pretty much everything that I could find/think of.

1) There are no other accounts on the system other than the one that is locked out.

2) I tried rebooting in safe mode, but it ultimately takes me back to the login screen with a different screen resolution.

3) I have tried repairing using the Windows 7 disk. That didn't work either.

4) I tried going to the command prompt and displaying user accounts that are present on the system( using "net user"). It shows me an Administrator account and Guest account. So I took a chance and changed the administrator password, but it didn't accept it on the login screen.

5) I have tried System restore to the previous day.

6) I have tried setting the BIOS date back one day. It's set back to the original date now.


I don't really want to buy a password breaker software yet, because I have a feeling it is not about the password, just some software glitch.

Any help is highly appreciated

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Unless you created a Password Reset Disc, I'm not sure there's anything you can do other than try a search on Google.

 

[rainman400]

Ouch.... that's not good. Because that is pretty much what I did... search on google and try to get around it somehow...

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm somewhat confused. I also I'm the only one that uses my computers, their for I don't use a password. Why was a password installed? Is this time expired password thing built into Windows 7?

 

[rainman400]

Yeah, the password seems to be a bad idea now, but it has kind of been a habit for a bit, so it doesn't bother me as much. And the time expired password thing is built into Windows 7, but I believe there are ways to remove it. I just never really bothered getting down to it.

 

[seavixen32]

Don't know if this tutorial will help, but it's worth a try.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/65207-password-reset-using-system-restore-windows-7-a.html

 

[rainman400]

Nope, it didn't work. And by logic, if that tutorial is right, that means there is something seriously messed up, correct?

I appreciate the help seavixen32.