Home Pc Will Not Letmein

[xud]

Hi, my desktop at home has suddenly developed a fault.
Normally, I just type in password after it has booted up and it lets me in.
Now it won't. I have a feeling my son has been messing about with it.

I am not a computer expert, but I have pressed F2 when booting up and tried to reset/change password. It still does not let me in.

I only have one user on the machine.

I am using a legitimate copy of Windows Vista. I have tried to reset the password at the login screen but it says I need a floppy disk or a flash drive. I plugged in a memory stick that I have and get messages that I don't want to see.

Please advise what I need to do.

Mike

[Buenchico]

It's not entirely clear whether you're encountering problems with a BIOS password or with a Windows one.

If you're encountering a very basic (probably blue) screen, with a box like this one
http://removepassword.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/acer-1.png
then it's a BIOS password. The easiest way to get rid of it is usually to open up the computer, remove the BIOS battery and then replace it.

However if you're seeing something like this
http://www.rohos.com/img/shots/windows-vista.jpg
then it's a Windows password. If you've got (or can borrow) a Vista installation disk, this will tell you how to fix the problem:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsvista/ht/reset-password-windows-vista.htm

Chris

[xud]

Thanks Chris, it is the latter of the two problems. As I stated previously, it is a genuine copy of Vista. I will try and find it. When I do - what do I do then?
Do I reinstall windows????

I have no idea.

Mike

[Old_Geezer]

Chris' last link gives instructions. Not so drastic as a reinstall.

[galeck1947]

You could download and run OPHCRACK which is a fee password cracking tool for Windows. You have to download the image and burn it to disc before you can use it. You will have to download the one for VISTA and Windows 7 . To use it you must change your bios to boot from your dvd drive and the reboot your computer with the disc inserted. I will find all of the Windows passwords and you can then write them down and use the correct one to boot your computer.

[TTG]

Try safe mode and login as Administrator. Do not enter a password. This might let you in an enable you to change user passwords.