How can I bypass the system administrator's password

[Dcrog79]

My dad passed away a year and a half ago and my mom just gave me his old laptop. It doesn't boot up all the way. I get a DRIVER_POWER_BOOT_ERROR with a blue screen after trying to system restore it. I want to just set it back to a time where it wasn't having a problem or even factory reset it but I can't get into Windows because my mom doesn't know his password and he was the system administrator. What can I do?

[erico]

If you are using the HP Recovery media to perform a factory recovery, there will not be a password on Windows until you set it.

The same thing is true of the results  of performing a clean install of Windows Vista.

So. what exactly have you done up to this point?

You can call around to local Mobile PC techs and stores to find out who has access to a copy of MSDaRT50 or MSDart 60. Both  MSDaRT versions have a utility called Locksmith that will, in just a moment allow clearing of the password.

Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (MSDaRT)

The older versions that work with Windows XP and Vista may be downloadable. Try Google or another search engine.

[Dcrog79]

Well when I boot up the laptop, it begins starting Windows. Then when you think it's going to bring up the login page it goes black for several minutes. It never goes beyond that. So you have to hold the power button down until it shuts off. When you turn it back on the "Windows failed to start" screen comes on and has a recommended "Launch startup repair" option or you can nor start Windows normally. I decide to run startup repair. After it's done checking my system for problems, or the disk for errors, the screen says "Startip Repair cannot repair this computer automatically", and gives me two options: Send information about this problem (recommended), or don't send. The problem details are as follows:

Problem Event Name: StartupRepairOffline
Problem signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem signature 03: unknown
Problem signature 04: 21200445
Problem signature 05: AutoFailover
Problem signature 06: 5
Problem signature 07: BadDriver
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Then I try sending the information to where ever it's supposed to go. It states that if I've recently connected a device to the computer to remove it and restart the computer. I can then select "Finish" to restart the computer or I can go into advanced options for system recovery and support. At that point, I opt for advanced options for system recovery and support because restarting isn't going to do me any good. I haven't attached anything to it. One of the problems is (if I remember correctly) is that the disk driver isn't working. I could be wrong. Anyhow, where it takes me is to system recovery options and it shows my dad's old username and asks for the password which I don't know. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[erico · Accepted solution]

What I do is boot up with a MSDart flashdrive and use the Microsoft Locksmith utility to reset the password.  

You have a choice of either finding someone  to do it for you or finding the version I specified in my previous post on your own. Sorry, but I won't provide it for you. 

We have discussed this subject time and time again in the Private thread here in the forum.

The concensus is that we are not in the business of helping members crack Windows passwords for ethical reasons.