Anyone know how to reset Compaq laptop password PLZ!

[FuturePsyD]

Hi All,

My dad decided to begin using an old laptop of his at home. He usually only gets on the computer at work. The problem is, he doesn't remember the password he set to get onto his laptop.

It is a Compaq laptop. I tried to reset it for him, but it asks for some sort flashdrive or perhaps set up disk. I was told to hold down the F10 key while starting it up, which I did, however I was unable to clear the password and go back to factory settings.

Anyone know how to get around this and by pass or clear the password? I would REALLY appreciate it!

Thank you!

 

[oobiecoo]

DH recommends to push F8 a whole bunch while the computer is booting up.... that will give the option to start in "safe mode". Alot (not all) of Compaq models will show an Administrator Account only when starting in safe mode. The Admin account wouldn't have a password on it so you can use that. Hopefully that will work!

 

[Karl_K]

is it a bios password or a windows password?

 

[FuturePsyD]

oobiecoo:

Thanks for your suggestion, I tried that and it didn't work.

Online I found that for my particular model to hold F10 key, and it takes me to system administration but doesn't do anything as far as the password help I'm looking for! All above my head! I'm a total MAC geek myself!

Karl:

I am assuming its the windows password because it says Windows Vista-Home Basic on the page that pops up requesting the password. Do you have any suggestions??

 

[Karl_K]

this will do it:
http://www.pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
burn the iso file(not the file, burn it as an iso) to a disk, boot from it, reset password.

 

[TC1987]

I've used this one: http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

If it's the BIOS password, there is probably some method like short two pins on the mother board to make it lose the memory. You'd need to know the model number and then just Google until you find links to a method.

Do a nondestructive recovery after the F10? Investigate what a nondestructive recovery does, first.
http://blog.recoverwindowspassword.com/forgot-compaq-password-what-to-do/

This is an example of what I said about methods to reset BIOS password:
http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-HP-ProBook-EliteBook/Reset-password-bios-hp-compaq-nx7400/td-p/4005208#.UoX7Q-K8tgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D72M6wpEhZE
I have Toshibas, and often the method to reset BIOS password is short two pins.

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow. So relieved to know that we have so many computer experts among our midst

 

[chrono]

....but this thread is 5 years old.

 

[minousbijoux]

....but this thread is 5 years old.

Valid point, I must say