Unlock a password protected PC

[koopmom]

Hello,

I am buying an HP laptop at a liquidation auction, but it is password protected.  Is there a way to break into it?

Thank you

[CherylG]

If it is simply the Windows logon password that is usually easily fixed. If it is a power on (BIOS) password that requires the password before the notebook will even boot up-that is not so easy. Depending on whether it is a business class(Elite,Probook,etc) or consumer class(Pavilion,etc) will determine that. A business class normally requires service from HP,with proper ownership certification. Many of the consumer class can be cleared, but not sure all. What model are you looking at?

[koopmom]

I am looking at the Pavilion laptop and it does boot up to Windows and then prompts for a password from the former user.  It's a liquidation auction and they are selling about 10 laptops.

[CherylG]

That is usually an easy one to solve. Immediately after powering on the laptop start tapping the F11 key to boot into Recovery to reinstall back to factory shipped state-with no user password. That applies if it has Windows Vista or Windows 7. If it has Windows XP, the key to tap is F10.

[CherylG]

Free Windows password recovery:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ss/ophcracksbs.htm

Btw,the original poster is buying a used laptop where a fresh install using the F11 boot would be my preferred method..to get rid of previous owners files.

[tan11]

To unlock a forgotten Windows password on computer, there are several free methods:
1. With another admin account.
2. With Windows password reset disk.
3. From Safe Mode.
More dtails you can found on other sites, it is easy to find.

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[amre]

how to unlock password from hp mini 2140

[amre]

how to have an admin account or a password reset disk

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You can use the following free application - it can be created on a disc or usb flash drive.

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

Regards,

DP-K

[JuliaGuy]

You can create a PCUnlocker USB drive using another computer, then boot your HP computer from the USB drive and you can blank the password easily. Just make sure the BIOS of the PC is set to boot off USB first. (Or whatever you decide to put PCUnlocker on, if you burn it to a CD then make sure the BIOS is set to look at the CD first).

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