Laptop password

jimbooth · 09-10-2016 7:36pm #1

Hi, I bought a second-hand laptop and the seller can't remember the password to unlock it, they haven't used it in a bit. Any tips how to unlock it ?

ZENER · 09-10-2016 7:41pm

Is it the Windows password or the BIOS password that's needed ?

I'd also wager that a seller who's "forgotten" the password probably isn't the original owner.

Ken

jimbooth · 09-10-2016 8:56pm

The password to access main use. Pic and name on screen are of the seller

ItHurtsWhenIP · 09-10-2016 11:45pm

What OS is it running? Win7, Win8.1 or Win10?

You will need to restore the OS - the method depends on the version.

FanadMan · 10-10-2016 1:08am

ItHurtsWhenIP wrote: »

What OS is it running? Win7, Win8.1 or Win10?

You will need to restore the OS - the method depends on the version.

Would a password reset tool not be a better idea first? Plenty of them available via Google

TheChizler · 10-10-2016 1:12am

Presumably they don't want the previous owner's data and settings?

FanadMan · 10-10-2016 2:00am

Depending on how it was set up originally and what version of Windows it is, they might have to create system disks first. Also, if it is a stolen machine and if it was mine, I'd love if someone found it and didn't reset it. New owner could also find blackmail info

paconnors · 10-10-2016 2:03am

jimbooth wrote: »

Hi, I bought a second-hand laptop and the seller can't remember the password to unlock it, they haven't used it in a bit. Any tips how to unlock it ?

Be careful you didn't but a stolen laptop. sounds dodgy when they cant remember a password, when selling it

jimbooth · 10-10-2016 9:53am

It's their pic and name on profile, it hasn't been used in 3 years, they just can't remember password exactly as it was something obscure. It's not stolen.

mach1982 · 10-10-2016 7:09pm

jimbooth wrote: »

It's their pic and name on profile, it hasn't been used in 3 years, they just can't remember password exactly as it was something obscure. It's not stolen.

Look we only want to help you.

Just because it has his PIC with a name they gave you , doesn't mean it their real name.

It just it sounds fishy. they have not used it fro 3 years , why? Is the battery or is there some else not working . Most people don't use obscure password , I should know work in tech support. Do they have receipt of purchase?

Elliot Alderson.

jimbooth · 10-10-2016 11:24pm

mach1982 wrote: »

Look we only want to help you.

Just because it has his PIC with a name they gave you , doesn't mean it their real name.

It just it sounds fishy. they have not used it fro 3 years , why? Is the battery or is there some else not working . Most people don't use obscure password , I should know work in tech support. Do they have receipt of purchase?

Elliot Alderson.

Do you have a receipt for something you bought 5 years ago ?
They stopped using it when they lost the charger a little over 2 yrs ago. All the pics etc date back 5+ years to date of original software installation.
The password they had used was not specific to anything and therefore they couldn't recollect it. I have same model laptop but got destroyed but had a charger so I bought this with full knowledge of who I bought from and they're address.

ED E · 10-10-2016 11:57pm

If the admin account is a microsoft account you need to wipe the machine.

If the admin account is a local account its trivial to reset the password. There are loads of bootable CDs thatll do this or even http://www.passwordresetkey.com/site/

backspacer · 10-10-2016 11:59pm

Try NT online password reset tool,but again this will depend on what version of Windows it is running

Gazzmonkey · 11-10-2016 9:38am

jimbooth wrote: »

Hi, I bought a second-hand laptop and the seller can't remember the password to unlock it, they haven't used it in a bit. Any tips how to unlock it ?

Hi,

If you still need to bypass the login screen PM me and I'll explain how it's done.

columf · 11-10-2016 9:47am

You can use trinity rescue kit it as live linux you can put on a cd or usb it has a windows password reset tool that easy to use. That or reinstall the OS which would be a better solution as you would have a fresh clean copy of the os