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EDDIE51 | 16:21 Tue 03rd Oct 2017 | How it Works
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I have bought a 2nd hand Dell laptop, but I do not know the password to get logged on.
It powers up fine but needs a password, can't contact the seller as it was a charity shop purchase. Runs Windows XP which I will up grade but still need a password. What can I do?
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I take it you've googled "need password for Dell laptop" and followed the advice?
Question Author
Yes , it just takes me to a site to buy a password reset disk for $18 from the USA.
-- answer removed --
It may be worth considering Eddie that there may be private or sensitive info on that machine if it has not been "cleaned" up prior to disposal. Perhaps you should be reinstalling and reformatting windows from scratch.

//The right way is simply not to try. Get a Windows install disk – perhaps one even came with the machine – and reformat and reinstall Windows from scratch. It’s the “right” way for two reasons:
You’re not even going to try to access or recover the previous owner’s data. More importantly, you’re not going to suffer from any infections or malware left behind by the previous owner.
That person didn’t know enough to securely erase their data, so what faith do you have that the machine isn’t loaded with viruses and malware? Reformat and reinstall really is the right thing to do.
People are curious or “adventuresome” (perhaps a synonym for foolhardy?) and want to run or see what’s on the existing hard disk – perhaps (hopefully) before they reformat and reinstall.
Fair enough. As it turns out, it’s very easy to gain access by downloading a password reset tool, burning it to CD, and booting from that CD.//
https://askleo.com/how_do_i_gain_administrative_access_to_a_secondhand_computer/
Question Author
My son does some computer repairs, he has a windows installation disk for W7. I have just phoned him he says he can install W7 on it and get it up and running.
Good call I think Eddie. Just a for instance for you. What if you did gain access.....and found something very unpleasant indeed? Something that you had to report to the police tucked away in the files. You would have to "prove" that you were not responsible and the machine could be confiscated to " help the police with their enquiries".
My mac was second hand - bought from the local mart.

The filese had been removed, but being a nosy person I used a file recovery tool and found that it had previously been an estate agents - found photos of houses.

I also found a text file with username and password - can't remember what for!

I then reformatted it and installed my own software.
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Only problem now is that it may not be able to take Windows 7 as it is too old and too little memory , been Googling. May have to see if there are still Windows XP installation disks and reinstall that. It is a pity as it looks almost brand new, not a mark on it. Still it only cost me £7 !
Question Author
Loads of XP installation disks on eBay. There is a Windows product key on the laptop , so can I just get a disk and run it?
Ebay sellers are still selling the XP operating system, if you have the product key, the first item below should suffice – otherwise buy the second.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Windows-XP-Home-Edition-SP3-Bootable-CD-32bit-/253157383009?hash=item3af15b1b61:g:8r4AAOSwEIFZvWPT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Windows-XP-Home-Edition-SP2-with-Product-key-/182780893487?hash=item2a8e97192f:g:bEMAAOSw-9xZxA2L

I recently gave up on XP due to problems surfing the net – many websites appear not to like the operating system, causing problems with page loading etc.
Question Author
It has XP professional installed does that make a difference?
Not to the problems accessing the net - I was using XP professional; but the product key might not work.
Eddie if you have the product key any xp disc will do. Just enter the key when prompted. I may be wrong but I think you may be able to do a reinstall via microsoft without a disc as long as you have the key. Think people who have had to renew hard drives etc when they bought machines without a disc after they were initialized by dealers and pc "shops".
Question Author
I can't even log on due to no password so how would I get Microsoft to reinstall XP ? They don't support it any more.
Since you have internet access, have a look at http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-to-help-you-reset-a-forgotten-windows-xp-password/ and try the steps on there. The last one (using a bootable live Linux CD) is probably the hardest one to do, but I imagine your son would be able to handle it for you.
After having a look around Eddie a disc would be good.
Question Author
Bought a disk off eBay for £1.78 & free postage, whats to lose?
you could always use kon-boot to bypass..look for free version
http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/index2.html

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