Our home computer has just asked us for our windows password. This hasn't happened for years and we don't know the password. it is the first screen that comes up when we turn the computer on. It just started happening yesterday. Used every password we can think of. Will we have to take it to a technician, and can they help? Or is there anything else we can try?
Thanks
Dianne and Stuart
Old Crofter said
04:39 PM Feb 12, 2014
Mine comes up with that often lately, I just click cancel and it gives up.
Bob
gooba53 said
05:02 PM Feb 12, 2014
I haven't got a cancel option. It's a blue coloured windows box. It's pre populated with user name Stuart, under that it wants password. Only options are shutdown, restart, standby. I've tried all those
Cloak said
05:05 PM Feb 12, 2014
Delete the user name maybe?
brian said
05:15 PM Feb 12, 2014
Sometimes just hitting escape gets rid of it, or you can try bringing up the shutdown screen and then select switch user.
gooba53 said
05:18 PM Feb 12, 2014
Just tried deleting user name and pressing escape. No option to change users. Just went back to same blue box. Tried to delete user, just came back to same screen .
thanks, we'll try all options
gooba53 said
05:22 PM Feb 12, 2014
And it's coming up with an old wallpaper behind the sign in box, not our recent/current one.
oldbobsbus said
06:07 PM Feb 12, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
And it's coming up with an old wallpaper behind the sign in box, not our recent/current one.
What version of windows are you running
Have you tried starting in safe mode and then doing a scan for malaware..
Sounds to me like you have a virus..
You could try a system restore to a date before it started to happen..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 06:09:06 PM
Baz421 said
07:08 PM Feb 12, 2014
oldbobsbus wrote:
gooba53 wrote:
And it's coming up with an old wallpaper behind the sign in box, not our recent/current one.
What version of windows are you running
Have you tried starting in safe mode and then doing a scan for malaware..
Sounds to me like you have a virus..
You could try a system restore to a date before it started to happen..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 06:09:06 PM
Agree,, scan and try restoring to earlier date (before this happenned).
Thank you for your time and ideas. our problem is windows won't even boot up. We can only get the sign in box and as we don't know the password, we are stuck at the first, only, sign in screen. We have never had this before. We rang microsoft and as everything is password protected they can't help us. Understand the screening process you are referring to but we can't get past the sign in screen. It's so frustrating
Baz421 said
08:37 PM Feb 12, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
Thank you for your time and ideas. our problem is windows won't even boot up. We can only get the sign in box and as we don't know the password, we are stuck at the first, only, sign in screen. We have never had this before. We rang microsoft and as everything is password protected they can't help us. Understand the screening process you are referring to but we can't get past the sign in screen. It's so frustrating
OK turn off and press start,,, now HIT THE F8 KEY CONTINUOUSLY,, BANG BANG BANG ETC ETC do not stop.
It may start in safe mode,,, follow the prompts and use arrow up/down keys,, it is normally a black screen with white text.
oldbobsbus said
08:39 PM Feb 12, 2014
WHAT VERSION OF WINDOWS ARE YOU USING..???????????????????????????????????
And is it up to date with the latest KB's
Also what brand of computer do you have
gooba53 said
08:40 PM Feb 12, 2014
Ok Baz will do. I'll be back
gooba53 said
08:54 PM Feb 12, 2014
Bob, if the photo worked its windows Xp professional . And an old computer?? But, until yesterday was honkey dorey.
Baz, banged the day lights out of the F8 button, no luck yet! ooohhhh hold on progress! Got the black and white screen then it said start in safe mode but we couldn't move the up and down keys. Will try again!
Thought we had progress, tried a couple of times, get to the start in safe mode screen but then can't move the up and down keys.
Baz421 said
09:08 PM Feb 12, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
Thought we had progress, tried a couple of times, get to the start in safe mode screen but then can't move the up and down keys.
Ok leave in safe mode as sometimes it's running in the "background" and eventually the up/down arrow keys may work.
If not I will have to bow out of the advice area as it above my knowledge base,,lol.
Sounds like a virus to me that kills off anti virus software and other methods where you can attack it.
Others may know,, maybe PM Dorian he seems to be a wiz at this stuff
gooba53 said
09:14 PM Feb 12, 2014
Thanks again!
oldbobsbus said
09:15 PM Feb 12, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
Thought we had progress, tried a couple of times, get to the start in safe mode screen but then can't move the up and down keys.
By the look of what I am reading on Google you have a virus OR your KB's and SP's aren't up to date.
I am assuming that when it asks for a password when you type anything in it does type..?? so that would mean the keyboard is working
I am a bit unsure why the arrow keys don't work and that prompts me to thinking it is a virus..
As Microsoft will no longer supporting XP it may pay you to change the operating system to W7 which will mean a few other changes as well and if it a really old puter you may not be able to get drivers for it..
I would be able to get all of your personal files and photos off it for you but you will have to decide if it is worth spending money on an update..
Bob, sounds like its a bit old!!! Guess we've been lucky this long. I'll yell out when we decide which way we'll go. Thank heavens for the iPad!
And thanks for your time.
gooba53 said
09:24 PM Feb 12, 2014
Thanks for the link Baz! will definitely explore any options .
Baz421 said
09:26 PM Feb 12, 2014
From Microsoft
Performing a repair installation of Windows XP can fix many serious startup problems. While you should not lose any of your important documents, you might lose settings, and you will need to reinstall many updates.
Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both your Windows XP CD and your product key available.
To perform a repair installation of Windows XP
Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.
Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.
When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press Enter on your keyboard.
On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the Page Down key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.
When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.
The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour. Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were installing Windows XP for the first time.
oldbobsbus said
09:26 PM Feb 12, 2014
OK now worries if you decide to give it a miss and you would like me to recover your files etc you would need to remove the HDD and post it to me and I will send them back to you on a DVD or 3..lol
My postal address is on my web page below..
brian said
09:31 PM Feb 12, 2014
I assume that you have tried the old standby passwords of Admin or Administrator, with and without the first capital.
You might try this:-
For XP.
First reboot in safe mode by re-starting the computer and pressing F8 repeated as the computer starts up. Then (in safe mode) click Start and then click Run. In the open box type "control userpasswords2" without the quotes - I have just used quotes to differentiate what you have to type.
You will now have access to all the user accounts, including the administrators account and will be able to reset the lost password.
Just click the administrators user account, and then click Reset Password.
You will need to add a new password in the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and confirm by clicking OK.
If all else fails. you might download and try www.loginrecovery.com
gooba53 said
09:35 PM Feb 12, 2014
Baz, had the Cd and product key handy so giving it a go now .
gooba53 said
09:56 PM Feb 12, 2014
Bob, thank you for your offer, I'll let you know.
Baz, tried the CD couldn't get as far as the welcome to set up, straight back to the sign in box requiring the password.
Brian, thanks but the safe mode counts down to the password screen before the up and down arrows will work, stopping us from going any further than the password screen. We will suss out the login recovery link you sent.
Thanks again
oldbobsbus said
10:09 PM Feb 12, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
Baz, tried the CD couldn't get as far as the welcome to set up, straight back to the sign in box requiring the password.
Put the CD in and then turn the puter OFF then turn it back ON and you should get a Dos Prompt to ,,
Hit any key to boot from CD
scottynbulldog said
10:41 AM Feb 13, 2014
If you can get it back onto safe mode try hitting the enter button not the up and down buttons gooba53
native pepper said
11:15 AM Feb 13, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
Bob, thank you for your offer, I'll let you know.
Baz, tried the CD couldn't get as far as the welcome to set up, straight back to the sign in box requiring the password.
Brian, thanks but the safe mode counts down to the password screen before the up and down arrows will work, stopping us from going any further than the password screen. We will suss out the login recovery link you sent.
Thanks again
Your bios setting may have been changed by a virus hack, windows fault, over zealous DDS attack or old age. Go into your bios settings to make sure they are all set for starting XP, and the boot sequence. From there, you should get a boot message and may be able to get into dos and or, start your recovery disc.
I'd take Bob's advice and send him you HHD to retrieve your information, then you will have a few options. Keep your old machine and attempt to load win7, which may require much more resources than you have and will probably require you to buy new hardware and a computer if it doesn't work. Or change to a open source OS that doesn't have these costly problems and will run happily on your old computer, using you current peripherals and hardware.
Whatever Bob puts on your disc, will be readable buy any open source system. if you had a linux live cd, you could put that in and find out if it's your computer, or OS.
I may be wrong, but there's also a chance your xp recovery disc may wipe everything off your HDD, as you have no control over it once it starts and they are prone to doing full formats before reloading. If you can get into your system, make sure you put all your data on a cd or usb stick so you don't lose it. A good thing to get is a small portable HDD, then you that for data storage and not a vulnerable drive C.
-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 13th of February 2014 11:20:47 AM
-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 13th of February 2014 11:36:11 AM
gooba53 said
11:30 AM Feb 13, 2014
Thank you for all your ideas and offers of help. Much more info than we knew for sure. Stuart is at work and he's a bit more tech savvy than me so I'll show him the new posts and let you know how we go.
We really do appreciate your time and advice. Thank you
Our home computer has just asked us for our windows password. This hasn't happened for years and we don't know the password. it is the first screen that comes up when we turn the computer on. It just started happening yesterday. Used every password we can think of. Will we have to take it to a technician, and can they help? Or is there anything else we can try?
Thanks
Dianne and Stuart
Mine comes up with that often lately, I just click cancel and it gives up.
Bob
I haven't got a cancel option. It's a blue coloured windows box. It's pre populated with user name Stuart, under that it wants password. Only options are shutdown, restart, standby. I've tried all those
Sometimes just hitting escape gets rid of it, or you can try bringing up the shutdown screen and then select switch user.
Just tried deleting user name and pressing escape. No option to change users. Just went back to same blue box. Tried to delete user, just came back to same screen .
thanks, we'll try all options
And it's coming up with an old wallpaper behind the sign in box, not our recent/current one.
What version of windows are you running
Have you tried starting in safe mode and then doing a scan for malaware..
Sounds to me like you have a virus..
You could try a system restore to a date before it started to happen..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 06:09:06 PM
Agree,, scan and try restoring to earlier date (before this happenned).
Also scan with this Microsoft tool,
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx
BUT MAKE SURE YOU SELECT YOUR OS FIRST
Thank you for your time and ideas. our problem is windows won't even boot up. We can only get the sign in box and as we don't know the password, we are stuck at the first, only, sign in screen. We have never had this before. We rang microsoft and as everything is password protected they can't help us. Understand the screening process you are referring to but we can't get past the sign in screen. It's so frustrating
OK turn off and press start,,, now HIT THE F8 KEY CONTINUOUSLY,, BANG BANG BANG ETC ETC do not stop.
It may start in safe mode,,, follow the prompts and use arrow up/down keys,, it is normally a black screen with white text.
And is it up to date with the latest KB's
Also what brand of computer do you have
Ok Baz will do. I'll be back
Bob, if the photo worked its windows Xp professional . And an old computer?? But, until yesterday was honkey dorey.
Baz, banged the day lights out of the F8 button, no luck yet! ooohhhh hold on progress! Got the black and white screen then it said start in safe mode but we couldn't move the up and down keys. Will try again!
Thought we had progress, tried a couple of times, get to the start in safe mode screen but then can't move the up and down keys.
Ok leave in safe mode as sometimes it's running in the "background" and eventually the up/down arrow keys may work.
If not I will have to bow out of the advice area as it above my knowledge base,,lol.
Sounds like a virus to me that kills off anti virus software and other methods where you can attack it.
Others may know,, maybe PM Dorian he seems to be a wiz at this stuff
Thanks again!
By the look of what I am reading on Google you have a virus OR your KB's and SP's aren't up to date.
I am assuming that when it asks for a password when you type anything in it does type..?? so that would mean the keyboard is working
I am a bit unsure why the arrow keys don't work and that prompts me to thinking it is a virus..
As Microsoft will no longer supporting XP it may pay you to change the operating system to W7 which will mean a few other changes as well and if it a really old puter you may not be able to get drivers for it..
I would be able to get all of your personal files and photos off it for you but you will have to decide if it is worth spending money on an update..
Some light reading from Microsoft on safe mode.
http://search.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?q=safe%20mode
Bob, sounds like its a bit old!!! Guess we've been lucky this long. I'll yell out when we decide which way we'll go. Thank heavens for the iPad!
And thanks for your time.
Thanks for the link Baz! will definitely explore any options .
From Microsoft
Performing a repair installation of Windows XP can fix many serious startup problems. While you should not lose any of your important documents, you might lose settings, and you will need to reinstall many updates.
Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both your Windows XP CD and your product key available.
To perform a repair installation of Windows XP
Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.
Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.
When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press Enter on your keyboard.
On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the Page Down key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.
When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.
The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour. Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were installing Windows XP for the first time.
My postal address is on my web page below..
I assume that you have tried the old standby passwords of Admin or Administrator, with and without the first capital.
You might try this:-
For XP.
If all else fails. you might download and try www.loginrecovery.com
Baz, had the Cd and product key handy so giving it a go now .
Bob, thank you for your offer, I'll let you know.
Baz, tried the CD couldn't get as far as the welcome to set up, straight back to the sign in box requiring the password.
Brian, thanks but the safe mode counts down to the password screen before the up and down arrows will work, stopping us from going any further than the password screen. We will suss out the login recovery link you sent.
Thanks again
Put the CD in and then turn the puter OFF then turn it back ON and you should get a Dos Prompt to ,,
Hit any key to boot from CD
Your bios setting may have been changed by a virus hack, windows fault, over zealous DDS attack or old age. Go into your bios settings to make sure they are all set for starting XP, and the boot sequence. From there, you should get a boot message and may be able to get into dos and or, start your recovery disc.
I'd take Bob's advice and send him you HHD to retrieve your information, then you will have a few options. Keep your old machine and attempt to load win7, which may require much more resources than you have and will probably require you to buy new hardware and a computer if it doesn't work. Or change to a open source OS that doesn't have these costly problems and will run happily on your old computer, using you current peripherals and hardware.
Whatever Bob puts on your disc, will be readable buy any open source system. if you had a linux live cd, you could put that in and find out if it's your computer, or OS.
I may be wrong, but there's also a chance your xp recovery disc may wipe everything off your HDD, as you have no control over it once it starts and they are prone to doing full formats before reloading. If you can get into your system, make sure you put all your data on a cd or usb stick so you don't lose it. A good thing to get is a small portable HDD, then you that for data storage and not a vulnerable drive C.
-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 13th of February 2014 11:20:47 AM
-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 13th of February 2014 11:36:11 AM
Thank you for all your ideas and offers of help. Much more info than we knew for sure. Stuart is at work and he's a bit more tech savvy than me so I'll show him the new posts and let you know how we go.
We really do appreciate your time and advice. Thank you