Compaq password reset?
 

Following a family death, my wife passed on what was a virtually new laptop to me.
Trouble is the deceased person didn't leave any hints on what the 'start up password' was/is.
So all I can say is it is a Compaq with Vista home with a screen size of 17inch.
No password reset keys by the way!
Any suggestions on how to reset to blank?

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Vista?

I am not sure posting the way around this on a public forum would be allowed but it is doable

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Hirens Boot CD will 'probably' allow you to reset the password

long time since I've used it though, try google/youtube for info

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

looks like it might be ok to post it on an open forum after all although I still would have thought it might be something the Admin might not want on here

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

My wife advised me that it was only used to store family photos?
Expensive way to store, was sold this together with Norton and backup software yet no access to the net.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Use THIS

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

when you say start up password are talking about the Windows sign in password or a bios password for boot?

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

I am still trying to get my head around Virtually new and Vista

gonna actually modify my advice and advise install Windows 10 on it

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Ya. Tbh dude if it has got Windows Vista on it and is circa 2014 or before you might find it has only got 2gb or 3gb ram and if that is the case you are really going to struggle. Vista is massively outdated and the problem you have got is if you put another OS on it you are going to need more ram. If you look up the specs you'll probably find the motherboard supports 4gb ram max if you wanted to upgrade it but imho it isn't enough. Let's not talk about the processor (Celeron). If things work out you can get a copy of Windows 10 from here:

https://theunitysoft.com/product-cat...ws/windows-10/

They give you the key immediately and you can download and create your own installation media on a dvd or stick. I would say a stick because installation is lightning fast but given the age of the laptop it is probably going to take 30 mins at least.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

. . . . . or alternatively throw a linux distro on it ;)

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Are their download editions 32 and 64 bit? as really 32 bit would be better due to likely lack of ram

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

A "start up" password sounds very much like a bios password.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Could be either I guess

If it is bios then often there are password to bypass it

If it is bios then attempt until you are locked out. Make note of the code it gives. https://www.biosbug.com/hp-8-digit-legacy/ go here and insert code. Make note of the code it gives you and try that.

Only ever had to use it once but it worked when I did

https://www.biosbug.com/hp-5-digit-legacy/ this is in case you get a 5 digit lock code

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

I think you'll find Paul was being sarcastic, you don't need to enter the BIOS for start up boot.

For a compac:

Press the "F10" key as soon as the computer begins to boot. ...
Press the right arrow key three times to access the boot menu.
Change the "1st Boot Device" setting to the drive you wish to boot from, such as your CD-ROM drive.

The OP will still have to enter the OS password to boot into the system.

I've given him the answer to that.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

No I do not think he was. It is very easy to set a Administrator password in the bios that would scupper everything you just said from the off. Some business machines have them hardcoded in the bios firmware but most you can just jump the cmos or remove the battery. Not so easy with a laptop. I am sure you knew this but perhaps just forgot

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Only Paul can answer if he was or wasn't.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Not sure why you would think that. :confused:

Compaq's can have a bios password (aka boot password, aka power on password) which you have to enter when you turn them on, before they will boot up any OS. I have had this enabled on all my various work laptops for the last 22+ years (several of them were Compaq).

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

The furthest I have got is:
F10 key gets me into boot menu thats it!
Password request comes up after bios exit.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

You could always try the novice passwords: "password" "12345" "qwertyuiop"

Or the names of favorite pets.

Maybe just the <return> key for none set.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

BIOS passwords are usually very boring, plain text screens. Windows is much more colourful and graphic. For single user machines Windows may simply ask for a password without selecting a user.


If you can boot from a CDROM then you can get small Linux distros that will work, boot from that and see if you can browse the hard disk. If that's encrypted you will need something else. If you can boot to Linux and see the hard disk then you can copy files you want to keep off somewhere safe, USB stick, external HD, cloud. Then you can install Linux and copy those photo's back.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

For a laptop that is that old I would seriously consider taking the hard drive out and hooking it up to a cheap USB to SATA caddy on another PC.
This will show the drive up as if it was a USB stick and you can then copy over whatever data is on the drive.


Something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Adapt...dp/B08Q3932NM/

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

it can be a bit of a ball ache gaining access when the OS is password protected.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

A laptop that old will probably have a PATA drive.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

2007+ is easily late enough for SATA

---------- Post added at 11:32 ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 ----------

Some manufacturers were even phasing out production of PATA by mid 2007

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Thinking about it SATA became common in laptops around 2003/4.

Re: Compaq password reset?
 

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Hospital stay awaits so on the back burner for a couple of weeks.