Thanks for the note. Yes, I have tried blank password. For completeness, I should have mentioned that the eBay merchant had the password as dell user (which also no longer works) and I remember changing the password (takes deep breath and screams to the sky) BUT NOT WHAT I CHANGED IT TO!
The link you sent might help others, but I have no Windows XP CD (and can't get it to boot from CD since there is a valid OS on the hard drive and I cannot change the order of booting in F2 Setup).
The Winternals link (inside the page of the link you sent) is out of date, but once you track through to Recovery Manager, it is good on WHY you should order, but not HOW to order (and HOW MUCH to pay).
The program creates a Linux boot floppy that's pretty straightforward to use for blanking NT, 2000, and XP passwords. Instructions on it's use are on the aforementionned web site.
The program is also available as an ISO CD image for systems that do not have a floppy drive.
Instructions to do a repair or reinstall of Windows XP are here:
You may have Dell PC restore by Symantec, try this.
Run the Dell PC Restore Utility
Power the computer on.
When the Dell screen appears press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard, press the F11 key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Only press the keys one time, if you press them more than once you will receive a keyboard error and will have to start the process over.
Click the Restore button.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
Click the Confirm button.
The progress window appears.
When the restore is complete the message The system recovery process was successful. appears.
Click the Finish button.
The computer will restart.
Your software is now back to the way it was when you first received your computer
As Dave5 noted, if you use the Dell PC Restore by Symantec (the Ctrl-F11 at Dell logo) then your Latitude will be restored to its original as-shipped condition. All programs, documents and data files created by you will be destroyed.
GlenntheNerd,
To boot from a CD, even if you have set the CD-ROM as the first boot device in BIOS, I recommend the following: Insert your bootable CD. Restart the computer. Press F12 while the Dell logo is still on the screen. You should see a menu with boot device choices. Select the CD-ROM. Press Enter. You may or may not be presented with a prompt to "Press any key to boot from CD". If such a prompt is presented press any key.
As I mentionned earlier, Peter Nordhal's bd050303.zip program will create a bootable Linux floppy disk. The cd050303.zip can be used to create a bootable Linux CD. When unzipped it creates the cd050303.iso image file. You can then use this image with Nero or Roxio software to create a bootable CD to remove your password.
Information on how to order CDs for your Latitude are at the top of the opening page of the Windows XP message board.
Let us know if you need additional information or help.
dave51_2fe887
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
August 19th, 2006 22:00
glennthenerd
7 Posts
0
August 20th, 2006 00:00
Thanks for the note. Yes, I have tried blank password. For completeness, I should have mentioned that the eBay merchant had the password as dell user (which also no longer works) and I remember changing the password (takes deep breath and screams to the sky) BUT NOT WHAT I CHANGED IT TO!
The link you sent might help others, but I have no Windows XP CD (and can't get it to boot from CD since there is a valid OS on the hard drive and I cannot change the order of booting in F2 Setup).
The Winternals link (inside the page of the link you sent) is out of date, but once you track through to Recovery Manager, it is good on WHY you should order, but not HOW to order (and HOW MUCH to pay).
tgsmith
2.9K Posts
0
August 20th, 2006 01:00
Glennthenerd,
You can blank the password(s) using Peter Nordhal's bd050303.zip program which is available here: http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
The program creates a Linux boot floppy that's pretty straightforward to use for blanking NT, 2000, and XP passwords. Instructions on it's use are on the aforementionned web site.
The program is also available as an ISO CD image for systems that do not have a floppy drive.
Instructions to do a repair or reinstall of Windows XP are here:
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/sp2installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm
Tony
dave51_2fe887
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
August 20th, 2006 01:00
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.
Click the Restore button.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
The progress window appears.
When the restore is complete the message The system recovery process was successful. appears.
The computer will restart.
glennthenerd
7 Posts
0
August 26th, 2006 20:00
64Leslo
2 Posts
0
August 27th, 2006 12:00
tgsmith
2.9K Posts
0
August 27th, 2006 17:00
64Leslo,
As Dave5 noted, if you use the Dell PC Restore by Symantec (the Ctrl-F11 at Dell logo) then your Latitude will be restored to its original as-shipped condition. All programs, documents and data files created by you will be destroyed.
GlenntheNerd,
To boot from a CD, even if you have set the CD-ROM as the first boot device in BIOS, I recommend the following: Insert your bootable CD. Restart the computer. Press F12 while the Dell logo is still on the screen. You should see a menu with boot device choices. Select the CD-ROM. Press Enter. You may or may not be presented with a prompt to "Press any key to boot from CD". If such a prompt is presented press any key.
As I mentionned earlier, Peter Nordhal's bd050303.zip program will create a bootable Linux floppy disk. The cd050303.zip can be used to create a bootable Linux CD. When unzipped it creates the cd050303.iso image file. You can then use this image with Nero or Roxio software to create a bootable CD to remove your password.
Information on how to order CDs for your Latitude are at the top of the opening page of the Windows XP message board.
Let us know if you need additional information or help.
Tony
mdweaver
1 Message
0
June 15th, 2008 19:00
Does this work on XP Pro SP2?
This sound like it might solve my problem
tgsmith
2.9K Posts
0
June 15th, 2008 23:00
Mdweaver,
I assume you're asking about Peter Nordahl Hagen's NT password utility. If so, the answer is yes. It can also be used with XP Pro SP2.
Tony