Windows 7 popup "Consider changing your password"

[AddRAM]

Have you ever installed an operating system on a computer ?
You see where I`m going with this ?

 

[studiocomputer]

Not from the start. Just when I had a new computer and did setup, etc.

I am working on doing a "system image" backup so I will have it on hand. As I understand, a system image backup is like taking a picture of the computer and saving all of the files, including personal files and OS in case the computer were to not work.

I already saved the files I want of my work files and copied them onto an external hard-drive. I need to place the system image on dvd's but from the looks of it I guess it will take alot of dvd's.

I just saw that the program files are 2.44 gb I don't have many files on the computer so perhaps my dvd's will handle the backup.

 

[AddRAM]

If you do a image now it will contain the problems. Best to do it right away, after all the updates, or after you have everything installed.

 

[studiocomputer]

Before making any changes to the computer, my thinking was to have some type of disk to have on hand in order to restore in case I do get locked out. So perhaps its a backup I'm thinking of and needing. I did do a thumbdrive restore password and have that pw file.

BTW I believe I mentioned that I do not have any install software disks. I did call the place I bought it from. They said they can get into the computer if I do get locked out. I asked again if they put passwords on their computers and they said no. So perhaps if I do get locked out their computer guy will know how to get back into it. Whatever I have on it right now can be lost. I have file copies I just need to be sure the computer will be operational again when they get done getting back into it.

I don;t want to risk doing too much of it myself since I don;t have any disks other than whatever backup disk I make myself. Will do that but to do a factory install without any disks I don;t really know how to do but I will read again the information you posted and see which parts I am comfortable carrying out.

I appreciate all of the help. I'll keep watching for the posts from forum.

Thank you much.

Brink , sorry forgot to answer...I am reading about using cmd to do the disable user. I'm looking at the "users" list on the computer and seems that I just need to type in "Owner" for the user.

I won't know if this works for me until I turn off the computer and see if it comes back on for me properly and that I did it correctly.

To recap I have made:

1. reset password disk
2. system repair disk
3. want to make a system image because I read if I have one it can restore "Windows, programs, files" Good to have since I have no disks at all for this computer.

Best Regards.

forgot to ask, for an image backup, I have dvd's and cd's. Does the image backup itself have to be saved onto all dvd's or all cd's or can I use a mixture of both since I am short a few disks for the save?

 

[Brink]

I'm pretty sure that they will all need to be the same.

 

[studiocomputer]

Ok was just a thought. Thank you.

Ok I have my dvd's ready so I canat least get a system image since I have no disks to restore anything. Always good to have it anyway.

 

[Duzzy]

Just Googled Windows 7 Home Premium and "Local Security Policy" and no it doesn't appear to be available in that version of Windows.

I agree with Brink that a factory recovery would be best if you have a Recovery Partition. I'd prefer a fresh install but then you could face more problems with that, first having no Windows DVD.

Edit. System image is a good idea too, just in case. Depending on the size of your data this could take a while.

 

[studiocomputer]

Hi Duzzy,

It says it could be up to 70g for the system image. Not a lot on this computer presently.

Thank you

Started the system image to dvd's. It gave me an error at one point. it said to take out disk, write down the title it gave, insert another disk and then it said device not ready, then it starting working again and then gave me the same title to write for the current disk. Anyway, once again it shows it is working and the green progress bar is showing it's moving.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Once you have created the backup discs, you should get the program you used, to verify that they are usable (not corrupted) before making any other changes to your system.

 

[studiocomputer]

Not sure how to do that...

 

[AddRAM]

AddRAM

The Windows 7 install disc is only a download away. My Digital Life. Download your version and burn to a disc using PowerIso or ImgBurn.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I don't use Windows Backup

Not sure how to do that...

I don't know how to make "Windows Backup" verify its images (I use Macrium).
I'd have to make a "Windows Backup" image to try and work it out.

A lot of people here use it, so someone probably knows the answer.

 

[studiocomputer]

Brink, I did the enable/disable option you offered. After it the cmd gave me a "Property(s) update successful"

Thank you.

AddRAM, thank you for this info. Was not aware of this. Not sure which one to download yet but reading it. I know I have windows 7 64-bit SP1 so I'm looking over the webpage there.

lehnerus2000, just saw your post. Ok I will look for that macrium and try to sort out what is next.

Thank you.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Windows Backup & Macrium

lehnerus2000, just saw your post. Ok I will look for that macrium and try to sort out what is next.

Thank you.

If you've already made "Windows Backup" discs you should keep them.

I doubt that Windows and Macrium will read each others backups (I've never tried that though).

On the other hand, having two sets of backups, made by different programs, should offer more "insurance".

There were links in one of my earlier posts, to tutorials about "Windows Backup" & "Macrium Reflect".

 

[AddRAM]

Download the same version as your key on the laptop. 64 Bit 32 bit, Home Premium, Professional, etc. Ultimate is no longer avaible. Open up computer properties ( start, right click Computer, click properties). It will give your PC info there.

 

[studiocomputer]

Macrium looks great. I'd like to use it but I am out of space on my external drive for any more backups and used up almost all my disks this evening for the system image from earlier. But this is something I want to use.

My main concern was getting locked out and I have my personal files backed up, made a system image, a restore disk at the end of the system image made, disabled the password for "Owner" using the cmd prompt and few days ago used a thumbdrive for the pw file.

So, that's where I am right now other than turning off to complete the uninstall of an earlier program and hope I can be back on it and up and running again.

All else fails, the new windows 7 disk to burn...I can do that from a 2nd computer correct? I don't need to burn it using the windows 7 computer in question, right? I have another computer which is XP that I can make downloads from and burn a disk.

Thank you.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, you can use the xp PC. Just have ImgBurn installed on it. Any questions just post them. What exact system is on the sticker ? Home Premium 64 Bit ?
And of course you need a dvd burner on that machine.

 

[studiocomputer]

AddRAM...I'm double checking the properties now:

Windows 7 Home Premium
Service Pack 1

The whole specs for reference are :
System:
Sony Vaio
3.4 Windows Experience Index
Intel Core TN 2 Duo
T6600
2.2 GHz 2,20 GHz
4 gb ustable RAM 3.84 GB usable
64 Bit

Windows Product ID is there too.

BTW you guys are all awesome to take so much time to help people in this forum.
Thank you.

Sticker reads

Windows 7 Home Pre OQ
then a bar code
then a 4- number
then oo number
barcode
prod key 24 number
THP with a number

I only see the reference to 64 bit on the screen where checking properties.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Macrium Backups

A point to remember about Macrium backups.

Images on CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs, other internal HDD partitions (or HDDs) and network locations, can be restored exactly as you would expect.

• You boot using the Macrium Restore Disc (I use the Linux version of the disc).
• It will ask you to remove it, once it has booted.
• You then navigate to the location where your image is stored (e.g. go to the HDD/network location or place your optical disc in the drive)
• You can then select the image and begin the restore process.

The Macrium Restore Disc doesn't read files from USB HDDs (at least if you are using Macrium Reflect v4).

If you store your images on an external USB HDD, you will need to copy them to:

• A separate partition on your PC.
• A 2nd internal HDD in your PC.
• A network location that you can connect to with your PC.

 

[studiocomputer]

Also, to make mention, previously when I went to the area to manage the user accounts. I saw that I was able to change that background icon without needing to enter any passcode. So I attempted to change the password today. It had a block that read to type in the old first and beneath type in the new. I did not type anything in the "old password column" but only typed a passcode that I had just then made up and put information into the "Hint" block.

Just now I restarted the computer. It did give me a screen that had a red "x" and the words your passcode has expired. I clicked the right arrow beside it and it then opened up a block for me to enter a password. I entered the passcode that I had just made up before. This had all originally began because I did not have any passwords of any kind for this used computer and the consider changing your passcode popup kept showing each day with a count down of days each time.

After entering the passcode I had previously made for that account, I was able to login to the computer and gained access.

To test it further, I typed in cmd in the search block and then right clicked "Administrator" to see if I could get access, and it went there without any problem.

This may not be the official way to test things out, etc like the experts in this forum but just wanted to share what just occurred on rebooting.

And there is no popup showing the password will expire. So hopefully it won't come back unless there is another step I need to do to be sure it is disabled.

Thanks again for the help. I'll get that disk burned and use the IMgburn.

Keep you posted on how things work.