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August 26th, 2005 14:00
Optiplex GX280 asking for administrator password that is unknown
Hi, our lab just got our new Optiplex GX280 with Windows XP pro already installed and Pentium 4. First boot up was great; it went directly to windows. We installed our HP printer with the appropriate CD-ROM. The last step was "restart". So we restarted the computer and instead came to the "user log-in" page with "Administrator" as the only user. We try to log on as an admininstrator, but we don't know the password (and have tried using no password at all and lots of obvious ones like 'dell' and 'xp').
We have tried several things - like pressing F12 during bootup to get to that DOS screen. We have tried to reset the computer to its "new from the factory" settings, but that doesn't do anything. We have tried setting it up to boot from the CD-ROM and have placed the Windows Resource CD-ROM in the drive - no luck there either. We have the password for this set of DOS commands, but it doesn't work in that Windows log-on screen.
Help!!!
This Optiplex is now operating as a very expensive paper weight.
We have tried several things - like pressing F12 during bootup to get to that DOS screen. We have tried to reset the computer to its "new from the factory" settings, but that doesn't do anything. We have tried setting it up to boot from the CD-ROM and have placed the Windows Resource CD-ROM in the drive - no luck there either. We have the password for this set of DOS commands, but it doesn't work in that Windows log-on screen.
Help!!!
This Optiplex is now operating as a very expensive paper weight.
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suds1
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August 26th, 2005 15:00
During the initial setup, the first time you turned on the computer, did it ask you to set up a user name? Brand new Dell's usually do this. If you did setup a user name you may try booting into safe mode where the login screen should show all user accounts that are setup. You can get to the safe mode option by repeatedly pressing F8 after you first turn on the system. If you can get into safe mode, you should be able to modify the user accounts and passwords.
If that doesn't work a you may have to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows.