Forgot Password

[SkyRider]

My neighbor gave me her old HP laptop with the Vista O/S. However, she forgot her password so I can't get into Vista. What to do?

 

[bobber]

My neighbor gave me her old HP laptop with the Vista O/S. However, she forgot her password so I can't get into Vista. What to do?

Reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system

 

[SkyRider]

Reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system

More rather naive questions.
1) How does one reformat the HD and would all data be lost?
2) Does one need the original Vista installation CD to reinstall?

 

[WoodPeckr]

There's a way to get in but I forgot how.
Give M$ a call and they will tell you how, if you can't find the solution online.

 

[enyaw]

I think this thread has come up before. Do a search and see what comes up. If not try ophcrack and it's free

http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

good luck

 

[SkyRider]

If not try ophcrack and it's free

Thanks. Maybe I'll give it a try. My friend said I should install Linux and be done with it. Plus, I heard that Vista was not very good anyway. Or, maybe I'll install Windows 7.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I would just install Linux and be done with it.....it's FREE.

However Vista is a solid OS that just takes awhile to boot-up and shutdown.
W7 is better than Vista.

 

[Anynym]

There are standalone programs you can get online (boot and run from CD) which will allow you to overwrite passwords on Windows machines.

If the Hard Drive is encrypted, though, you may be out of luck.

 

[thewheelman]

Download Hiren's Boot CD (newsgroups, or torrent)
It contains password reset programs. Works every time.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Nice link

www.hirensbootcd.org

 

[SkyRider]

Thanks guys. I was able to access the harddrive using Linux.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Thanks guys. I was able to access the harddrive using Linux.

I've done this also in the past after installing Linux as a dual boot system.
Then after starting up Linux I had no problem going into the Windows partition and finding anything desired in the password protected Windows side.