retrieving windows vista password

littlestick     

First try the following:

 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-do-forget-windows-password#1TC=windows-vista

Also, try using the password jumper on the motherboard, see pages 108 and 176 to see it this will clear the password.

http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-531s_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf

Does not work, then you will need to call Dell and verify you own the system. 

They'll should generate a master password for you.

Expect to pay a support call charge for this service.

Bev.

Ophcrack might help if the password is a dictionary word.

I used it to recover the forgotten password for a teen's netbook.

Alternatively, you could buy a newer version of Windows, i.e. 7, which currently qualifies for a free upgrade to 10.

The hard drive can always be re formatted and reinstalled from scratch.  BIOS password is something else entirely.  You can find Dell Vista Basic recovery media on ebay.  OR buy a new copy of windows OEM or Retail.  WIN7 or 8 or 10 will work.

Thank you, I will give it a try.

The jumper didnt work, so what do i do to reformat. I do have a vista operating system disc for my other 530 desktop. Can i use it to make this one go perhaps or should i just take it out and use it for target practice.

Windows Vista is effectively at End of Life. No IE support, no Chrome support, no Office 365 support, no Windows Live Essentials support and no new driver support for peripherals.

Unfortunately Microsoft never made an official upgrade path for Windows Vista to Windows 10 TH2 however there is an unofficial upgrade path via the Windows Insider build 10130.

I advise taking this upgrade path on both your Inspiron 530 and Inspiron 531. As they are late Windows Vista systems they will both handle Windows 10 TH2 64 Bit without issues.

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-xpvista-%e2%86%92-windows-10-free-upgrade/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1RkaknDn7v8RDvZUZBKQnuIVM_cqbgs3

I loaded Ophcrack onto a usb drive but how do i get the machine to boot from it. I changed the order in setup and nothing happens it still goes to the password screen.