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I have this laptop of a friend of mine who can't access it anymore because the password is on and she forgot it. I told her the only way I think it'll work is if we erase the hard drive and she's cool with that. However, I need to know how to do it through DOS first.
So, any help?
I haven't done this in 12? years, but isn't it just format C:\ at the dos prompt?
Stupid emoticons.
Well I hope it's that simple.
Is it the windows password, or the BIOS password?
If it's the BIOS password, you'll probably have to open it up and fiddle with the CMOS reset jumper.
Yep, so long as you have way to get into DOS (floppy drive available?). If the bios is set to boot from the CD drive a Windows CD will automatically take you to setup which includes formatting. And really, that's how you'll want to do it anyway since DOS formatting is FAT32 while Windows (or programs like Partition Magic, IIRC) will let you do NTFS which is better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mykozo
Well, you could DOS format and then format again when you install. It doesn't really matter what approach you take.
If it is the bios password then go here http://www.tech-faq.com/reset-bios-password.shtml they have two programs that I have used for just the task.
If it is windows there are linux boot cd's that will do the job, http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...r_password.htm
As for formatting the hd you need a windows boot disk www.bootdisk.com and simply type format c:
Okay I have a WinXP CD but how do I format a harddrive from it? I haven't seen the option yet.
When you reinstall it.
Boot from cd using BIOS, and agree to the terms and conditions. Then when it asks where to install, you highlight the partition/drive and press 'd', and then 'l' to confirm it. You can then format it to ntfs.
I'm not sure if this works when you reinstall from windows, so try from the BIOS instead.
I've done this a few times, as I often recover old hard disks people have thrown out, then reformat, then sell.
you can get into windows without a password. i think you can even recover it. search the sharky boards i KNOW people have asked there before.
w00t I fixed the problem with the family computer. My friend still hasn't brought the laptop to me to try this shit on so that's still unknown.