[+24REP] How can I get on my own passworded computer?

[Ostinato]

Hey guys needing some help.

I was clearing out the house yesterday and came across my old computer I used to use. I decided I'm gonna sell it on Ebay as it has quite good spec's and I don't even use it.

However, I cannot remember the password to the only account on the operating system and I therefore have no way of accessing the computer itself so can't really sell it...

Is there any way I can manually remove the password or something without having to actually log in? Thanks.

Sugar didn't mean to post here

[Nixt]

What OS is it? In most cases I think you have reboot the PC; if you're selling it that shouldn't matter.

[Ostinato]

I think it's XP... I've not used it in ages lol.

Hmmm I don't know if I've got a disc to format... I'll need to check hehe.

Any other ideas?

[Nixt]

I am sure there is a way you can do it without a disk. I am not sure how though, someone else might be able to help there x).

[luke-p]

Erm, Im not 100% Sure this would work but, Click F8 while it is rebooting
Select Safemode with command prompt
Then type 'Net user Accountname Newpassword'

As I said, not 100% If it will work but its worth a try

[Cwmbran]

I'm pretty sure if you do a system reboot then it will return the computer to the state it was when you bought it.

To get to start this system reboot when you turn the computer on a screen should pop up saying something along the lines of "Press F5 or F2" to go to a certain screen, I'm unsure on what it is called as I have not done it for awhile.

But it is pretty simple to do.

[joshuar]

If it is XP and its not using the Welcome Screen then try and login using the username "Administrator". No password. It should login to the full administrator account provided by XP.

If you use the Welcome Screen try pressing ctrl + alt + delete twice and you may be able to receive a login prompt.

If that fails, when Windows is loading press F8, boot into safe mode and the Administrator name should be on the welcome screen, access that, change the users pass and then reboot. Stay in Safe Mode until you are finished changing passwords.

[Cwmbran]

Erm, Im not 100% Sure this would work but, Click F8 while it is rebooting
Select Safemode with command prompt
Then type 'Net user Accountname Newpassword'

As I said, not 100% If it will work but its worth a try

If it is XP and its not using the Welcome Screen then try and login using the username "Administrator". No password. It should login to the full administrator account provided by XP.

If you are on the Welcome Screen then PM me and ill rack my brains for you.

I know with my laptop, if you start it up in safe mode with command prompt, you can see the "Administrator" account that does not have a password set to it, and you can not see this account if you start Windows in a normal mode. Anyway start it in safe mode with command prompt then go into the start menu then do control panel and you should be able to access a folder called "Account management" or something like that and change the password that way, but I would do a system reboot to take it back to the same state when you bought it as it will not have any programs you have installed on it and it would practically be like new again.

[jrh2002]

You can start it up in safe mode and remove the password on some pc's but others it wont let you :s

Most OEM PCs (such as HP, Sony, and eMachines) running Windows XP come from the factory with an administrator User Account named Administrator. However, this account may not show up at the Welcome screen or allow you to login at the login screen (except in Safe Mode). To start your PC in Safe Mode, hit F8 repeatedly immediately after powering it On. Once you've logged into Windows (even in Safe Mode) you can proceed to remove the password.

Once you're in Windows, open the Control Panel (Start, Control Panel) and go to the User Accounts option. You'll see all User Accounts listed here. Under the User Account name it will either list it as an "Computer administrator" account or a "Limited account".

Click on the account name you're unable to access. On the left you'll see the option "Remove my password". Click "Remove Password" at the next screen. Now when you log off, you'll be able to login without a password.

[today]

If your gunna sell, just wipe it.