HELP - forgot laptop password - anyone??

[northernlad]

Hi. I have stupidly forgotten the password to a laptop I haven't use for a couple of weeks (HP Pavillion Windows7 Home Premium). Can anyone tell me or PM me a way to bypass the start-up password screen ... in effect how to 'hack' my own laptop (without losing my files, pics, music etc).

Thanks in advance.

[ZoonVoo]

Get a Hiren CD, flash your Bios...

[Johnson1]

If you take it down to your local computer repair shop they will be able to sort it .

[Univerzal]

Google it, Admin win 7 password forgotten/bypass

There are several great guides, easy to do also

Oh, and dont do anything drastic , like delete your hd

[TGMT²]

Originally Posted by northernlad

Hi. I have stupidly forgotten the password to a laptop

It would be immensely helpful if we knew "exactly" what you password protected?

Did you set a password for:

1) Your Operating System (Windows 7)

2) Your Hard Drive

3) Your BIOS

If it was for your OS (Windows 7) then you should be able to bypass it by checking Google for some solutions.

For options 2 & 3 you are pretty much out of luck.

[BiN4RY]

Try ophcrack

[Imposter]

Originally Posted by TGMT²

It would be immensely helpful if we knew "exactly" what you password protected?

Did you set a password for:

1) Your Operating System (Windows 7)

2) Your Hard Drive

3) Your BIOS

If it was for your OS (Windows 7) then you should be able to bypass it by checking Google for some solutions.

For options 2 & 3 you are pretty much out of luck.

BIOS is the easiest thing to reset, just switch the jumper on your motherboard to reset

[TGMT²]

Originally Posted by Imposter

BIOS is the easiest thing to reset, just switch the jumper on your motherboard to reset

The OP has stated that this is a "laptop" issue.

And having stripped literally 100's of notebooks and laptops to resell the components, maybe 1 or 2 had true jumpers on very old ones.

In most cases to clear a BIOS password, you would have to "short out" a electrical connection with a screwdriver or wire to clear the BIOS. And in some cases, this would require a complete tear down of the laptop to gain access.

Yes, it is do-able, but I wouldn't say it is the easiest option.

I once reset the BIOS password on a newer Dell notebook, and it required almost 10 hours of my time.

Once again, the OP has left us hanging without enough information without the model of the laptop in question.

[stevebills]

Originally Posted by northernlad

Hi. I have stupidly forgotten the password to a laptop I haven't use for a couple of weeks (HP Pavillion Windows7 Home Premium). Can anyone tell me or PM me a way to bypass the start-up password screen ... in effect how to 'hack' my own laptop (without losing my files, pics, music etc).

Thanks in advance.

You can launch System Recovery to format and reinstall back to factory state by tapping away at the F11 key after powering on the machine.
this will also remove any viruses and make the PC run much faster

[Imposter]

Originally Posted by stevebills

You can launch System Recovery to format and reinstall back to factory state by tapping away at the F11 key after powering on the machine.
this will also remove any viruses and make the PC run much faster

Really ? my lass has a Windows password on her laptop, she doesn't let me touch it & I wanted to get on her facebook to burn her cafeworld down. Anyway I tried to enter via 'safe mode' after tapping F11 & it still asks for the password !?!

And having stripped literally 100's of notebooks and laptops to resell the components, maybe 1 or 2 had true jumpers on very old ones.

I've only ever had a BIOS password when i lived at my parents over 10 years ago (safety from my siblings), switching the jumper then worked but thanks for letting us know it don't work any more

[northernlad]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it..., I didn't think it mattered what model or brand the laptop was - windows7 seems to be pretty much universal to a variety of different brands/models.

As it is, I used a copy of 'HIRAM'S' I downloaded from the net and boy it worked a treat.

Thank you once again all for your assistance.