Got a Dell Laptop from a Car Boot Sale for buttons, but it's password protected. I can't even start it in Safe Mode or Boot Options without Admin Password. Is there a way I can bypass it without paying for software? OS is Vista Home Basic.

Thanks.

Can you get into the BIOS or is that also password protected ? I think with Dells F2 or F12 will get you into the BIOS menu.

I can't access anything with F2, F8 or F12. Just a white screen with black writing asking for a password.

Does it still have its service tag label or serial no.?

(the 7 digit service tag, rather than the 10 digit express service tag .....)

Try them at:

http://www.tech-faq.com/reset-dell-bios-password.html or https://bios-pw.org/

Brilliant BazzaS. Worked 1st time. Thanks a bundle mate.

Well I'm in now, but only under a standard user. Is there anyway to pass the Admin lol?

Reboot in safe mode

Use administrator account

Thanks dx. Unfortunately, the previous owner has left a password protected Admin account on it. I am unable to start cmd prompt in elevated mode without that password.

no theres a hidden administrator account and password but you must be booted in safe mode else you wont see it

i'll pop up later

Google "vista hidden administrator account" if you can't wait for dx.

If you have a set of Vista install disks around you can also try:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-reset-a-windows-vista-password-2626339

(Note that this method will also allow you to create a password recovery disk during the process : this is different to the install disks (required) and to password crack programs - see below)

There are also password cracking programs:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-windows-password-recovery-tools-2626179

One of these I have used with success in the past, ophcrack

http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net

Final option if nothing else works : reinstall vista!

Does the lappie still have its CofA? (And you may need the Dell Vista re-install disks, as the code on the CofA will likely be for the Dell OEM version)

I can get into the laptop by using the 7 digit service code to get Dell to generate a password.

Once in, there are 2 accounts. Admin and Basic.

Basic needs no password, but Admin does.

Once in, I can start CMD Prompt, but not as Admin without a password.

I have started it in Safe Mode trying a few things suggested on the Internet,

but I can still only see the same 2 accounts.

Not the hidden Admin one.

I would have to dig around for ages to find a Flash Drive (decorating at the moment, and I haven't got a clue where things are),

so I'll hang on to see what dx can do.

But thanks again Bazza.

PS. Got no original disk as laptop is rather old. Inspiron 1520.

urm

bit confused here

there is no account called admin

unless the old user created one

in safe mode there should be an account called administrator.

that's hidden in other modes and will not be seen as a log in option in accounts when in normal boot

its only there/seen/available in safe mode.

I feel the previous owner must have known a bit or two about computers. I think that the Hidden Admin account has been disabled. There are just the same 2 accounts in both normal mode, and Safe Mode. They both have names of the previous owners. The first one has Admin rights, the other only Basic.

nope administrator account that's hidden other than in safe mode is still there and cant be renamed.

you see you're doing it again

not telling us the full story

you now say there are 2 USERS

one has admin rights and one doesn't

that's the first time you've said that....

anyway. lets not sweat

you need a blank DVD and I hope you can burn to it on a PC you have now?

just download and a Windows Vista ISO file and burn it to a DVD

then you boot from that to the recovery console

http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-a-Windows-XP-or-Vista-Password

Thanks dx. Unfortunately' date=' the previous owner has left a password protected Admin account on it. I am unable to start cmd prompt in elevated mode without that password. [img']http://static.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif[/img]

Would this not have sufficed? ^^^^^^

I'll just dig out my flash drive. Think I already have password bypass software on it.

yea should be easy

but might not work on vista [hirons does it ]

but many other linus apps don't

vista home was a funny bugger not like the other vistas, it was designed for kids PC's

Ah this is a Dell Laptop ok even in the basic account look at the apps if you can and look for anything saying Dell

Does it have the Dell Backup & Recovery that you can open?

If it does you run it to backup the Dell or restore to factory settings and see if that works

Dell Backup and Recovery link: http://www.dell.com/support/contents/us/en/04/article/Product-Support/Self-support-Knowledgebase/software-and-downloads/dell-backup-solutions/Dell-Backup-and-Recovery

Forgot to ask what is the exact Dell Laptop Model i.e. Dell Inspirion 3531? (if unsure the details should be on the bottom of the laptop, may be in very small writing)

 

Forgot to ask what is the exact Dell Laptop Model i.e. Dell Inspirion 3531? (if unsure the details should be on the bottom of the laptop, may be in very small writing)

Inspiron 1520.

Site won't let me 'just quote', so 'Inspiron 1520'

appreciated BazzaS missed that any here is a link to Dell Inspiron 1520 Support Page with all the different drivers etc: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/inspiron-1520/drivers

Just tried Hirens password reset. Got to the password reset wizard part, but it then told me 'this is not a password reset disk' :/

don't forget if you are using a penstick you must make it bootable and boot from the penstick

else it wont work

I copied the iso image using software called 'Rufus' to the pen drive to make Bootable. Pressed F12 on start up and selected USB Drive. It did seem to do the trick as the password wizard came up. It asked me what drive was the password reset disk, so I selected the only one there (Hirens). Then it said 'this is not a password reset disk. I have noticed on the Boot screen (safe mode, normal start etc), the first option is 'Repair your Computer' Maybe that's the problem. I'm downloading a copy of Vista now. I'll try the repai option first. If that doesn't work, I'll just do a full OS Install, and update Drivers from Dell. Just trying to avoid that though, as it takes time.

Reinstalled Vista from the copy I dowloaded. Everything ok now. Except for all the updates I will now have to do. Thanks guys for all your help.