Vista forgot password/ wipe

mrfmilo
mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
edited June 2010 in The Crudcatcher
Installed a new screen into my Inspiron 1545 this morning, but turns out i've forgotten the password (haven't used it for a year, been using a spare). Still going to try and remember it, but if not what can I do?

Is there any way of recovering the password? Or is wiping it the best option? There's nothing on there that I need to keep really, so is an option, plus I could install Windows 7 which I have on a disc.

Thanks :)
Marin

Comments

  • thekickingmule
    thekickingmule Posts: 7,957
    I'd go for the wiping and windows 7 option i think. Certainly the easiest solution.
    It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded.
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  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    I'm on Vista 32bit Home Premium btw.

    thekickingmule How would I wipe it? :lol:
    Marin
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Watch out if your 7 is not genuine :oops:

    They've got clever in with their latest iteration - the windows update checks its validity and now mine says this copy in not genuine.....

    Restore point and turned off updates - hopefully that should shut it up....
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    It's the windows 7 disc that came with my mums dell so I hope it's genuine :lol:

    could someone run me through wiping vista quickly? :P Ta
    Marin
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    No need to wipe Vista - you can go over the top.

    A fresh install is perhaps best - but going over the top saves all your current Vista settings.
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    I would install Windows 7 over the top, if It's like the upgrade I did from XP to 7 it will keep all my docs files and program files in a folder called 'windows.old' on the C: drive.

    Simply put the disk in the PC and turn it on, if you have the correct boot settings you will see something like this "press any key to boot from disk..." Mash your keyboard with your face and the installation will begin after some quick checks.

    From this point on with Win7 it's all very well explained and simple to follow. Just remember that if the PC restarts during the installation after telling you that it is going to DON'T mash your face into the keyboard (or touch it with any bodypart) when you get the message as above and it will continue installing and then windows will be done.

    If you don't get the message to boot from disk you will need to change the boot options in the bois for your PC, this will involve pressing a certain Key (usually 'DEL' or 'F2') when you see a message for either 'setup' or 'bios' seconds after turning the PC on. This will load your bois options (providing Dell haven't password protected it) and from here it's a simple hunt for "boot options' and change the order to have the CD drive first (something like: optical drive -> HDD -> USB -> Network -> Other) then hit 'F10' to save and exit.

    When you restart the PC you should hear the CD drive spinning and get the message to press any key...

    Hope this helps, if not JFGI (Just Fecking Google It)

    Have fun :D
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Thanks alot Kiblams, will do that now :D Thanks again :P
    Marin
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Just to check, 'Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit', will work even if the Vista currently on there is 32 bit?
    Marin
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    It should do, do you know what processor you have in there? (this determines if 64-bit is possible in computers)
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Intel Core 2 Duo, 3 gig Ram. Does that help?
    Marin
  • anjs
    anjs Posts: 486
    yes it should be fine but do you have a valid license key to enter during the install?
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Ermm...probably, where would I find that? :oops: :oops:
    Marin
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    mrfmilo wrote:
    Ermm...probably, where would I find that? :oops: :oops:

    Oh dear, I just read that it's from another Dell. In that case the CD key will either be a sticker on the dell machine or possibly on the back of the instruction manual.

    I would not be hopeful of getting it to work on your PC if It's a branded OS for a different Dell, they tend to not like being installed on anything but the intended PC and the CD key will most likely show as not genuine due to being on 2 PCs

    Do you have the Vista restore disk from your own PC? that might be a better idea, the same should apply from my crap guide above.
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Kiblams wrote:
    mrfmilo wrote:
    Ermm...probably, where would I find that? :oops: :oops:

    Oh dear, I just read that it's from another Dell. In that case the CD key will either be a sticker on the dell machine or possibly on the back of the instruction manual.

    I would not be hopeful of getting it to work on your PC if It's a branded OS for a different Dell, they tend to not like being installed on anything but the intended PC and the CD key will most likely show as not genuine due to being on 2 PCs

    Do you have the Vista restore disk from your own PC? that might be a better idea, the same should apply from my crap guide above.

    There is a key on the back of the CD package/manual thing. Currently installing Windows 7, upto 67% and no problems upto now, hopefully it will work :P If not, will do Vista. Oh yeah, and Windows 7 disc came from my mums laptop which is exactly the same laptop (Inspiron 1545), so same should apply to mine right?
    Marin
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    mrfmilo wrote:
    Oh yeah, and Windows 7 disc came from my mums laptop which is exactly the same laptop (Inspiron 1545), so same should apply to mine right?

    Not too sure, but this is a question i have been asking myself for a while now. Great chance to find out the answer now :D
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    It's on the last stage atm, so will let you know soon :P
    Marin
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    It has worked :D I had to go completely over Vista do don't have my old pics/docs anymore but not bothered really, just pleased to get my laptop back :D Thanks alot Kiblams for the help, and you've got your answer now :wink:
    Marin
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    Great, are you sure that the C: drive doesn't have a folder called 'Windows.old' in it? That might just be something that it does when overwriting XP though.
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Kiblams wrote:
    Great, are you sure that the C: drive doesn't have a folder called 'Windows.old' in it? That might just be something that it does when overwriting XP though.

    Ahh yes it does! Awesome :D
    Marin
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    I think my work here is done :lol:
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • anjs
    anjs Posts: 486
    Have you applied the windows updates yet?
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    Ah yes, there is a windows update that will be unticked as default, read the description and you will see that it is checking for genuin copies of windows, might be best to leave it unticked as you are using another PCs copy of windows :D
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • anjs
    anjs Posts: 486
    The copy of the software should not be a problem as you used a Dell veriosn to install onto a Dell machine. The do not produce an individual install disk for each computer. The problem comes if the Windows 7 product key is already regisitered to another machine.
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,610
    why the fuck you didn't just use winpass I'll never know. :P
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Thanks again Kiblams.

    And it ran through loads of updates and all seems fine?

    Windpass? :lol:
    Marin

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