Forgotten password

[spotit3]

I have not used my Dell laptop for quite a while and cannot remember my password. As I was on as administrator I now cannot get into it. Is there any way I can restore it to its original condition so I can start afresh. I have nothing on it that I mind losing.

[Vagrant]

What operating system is it (XP, Vista, etc).

Is this a Windows password, or is it a password that the laptop's BIOS asks for before Windows loads?

[spotit3]

Hi Vagrant

It is Windows Vista. I presume it is a Windows password as I put it on to ensure my grandchildren couldn't download anything without my permission.

[Androcles]

There are tools to do this but see:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsvista/f/f orgetvistapass.htm

for some suggestions.

[ACtheTROLL]

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdis k.html

this is the best freebie - read the instructions though

[Hammer]

Dell laptops usually have a restore partition on them so you can restore it to how it was on day 1 and hence lose all of your documents, installed programs, changed settings, etc...

If all else fails you might want to try this.

Press CTRL + F11 when you switch it on and see the Dell logo, then follow the instructions.

[spotit3]

Oops!!!! Sorry everybody. Just realised my laptop is running XP. Thanks for all replies.

I couldn't use anything from the earlier answers as since I cannot log on without my password I cannont access the internet to download the suggested programs.
Hammer, I have tried pressing Ctrl +F11 but then I get a lot of stuff I don't understand.

Title of page is Phoenix ixBIOS Utility.

According to the menu F9 would load factory installed default optopns. I tried this but it still asks me for my password in Windows.

I tried ringing Dell and they were prepared to help me at a small cost of �53!

[tamborine]

most Dell computers have a 'shadow' password. Dell faxed same to me at no cost; t'was a different model to my present pc.

[Hammer]

You should be able to restore to factory condition without the password. What model is it?

[spotit3]

Hi Hammer, It is a Dell Inspiron 1501 running Windows XP

[spotit3]

tambourine, How did you contact Dell. When I went online with them they told me I would have to phone. When I rang the number given to me I was told it would cost �53 to reset it and a shadow password was not even mentioned.

[Hammer]

This relates specifically to the Inspiron 1501 from the Dell Support website. Maybe you picked the wrong option or something, but give this another try

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ ins1501/en/om_en/html/trouble.htm#wp1064167

[spotit3]

Thanks Hammer, you are a star! That did the trick. My mistake was in pressing CTRL,F11 as soon as I saw the Dell name, instead of waiting for the top blue bar.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

[linky1124]

Long time ago , I was confronted with the password problem. Finally , my friend Jane introduce a Windows password Reset tool: http://www.resetwindowspassword.com to me .It helps me access windows.