Computer administrative access problem

Take it to your local computer repair shop where you bought the machine. They can use a boot disc and save the day. You may lose some data, but since this is a shared family machine I trust there is nothing important on it. Next time make your set of OS backup and safe boot options. A recovery disc and boot disc doesn't hurt either.

(Shutting the door after the horse bolts?)

Boot you PC from a Win2k CD, then choose the "console" mode. You will have full access to your XP system.

I hate to be negative by asking, but what did you receive that shows that you bought XP in the first place? Because some dealers are not playing ball with MS....on legal terms....and you could get possibly into trouble with MS...

If you have your fully legal "legal" sticker and password etc. from MS, then no problem, just get hold of a copy of the correct version and if ever the need is to re-install or repair, you can do it!!

Are you just not able to log in?

You can remove the lithium battery on your motherboard and then put it back in.

That will reset your log in and then you can create a new log in.

You're thinking BIOS. Try running a repair installation. Also try to hit CTRL+ALT+Del twice at the login screen to log in with username "Administrator". Most users are not aware of this and it is a huge hole in system security because no default password is set :-(. If you didn't encrypt files (you did back up the keys, right??) a linux live cd works well for reading the NTFS filesystem.

That will only reset the CMOS/BIOS password but not th operating system.

Did this just suddenly happen?

Did you set your password in the BIOS or did you set the password in Windows?

In either case, the password is case-sensitive. Make sure you are typing the password correctly with lower-case and capitals.

By any chance did one of your other users hack into your administrative privileges and change them? It is highly unlikely that your Windows password would just become obsolete without you or someone else doing something. This doesn't "just" happen. So, get paranoid!!!

I think this will work, as well... Start your computer and slowly tap the F8 key. This will send you to a menu that provides you with several levels of operating system to use. Choose "Safe Mode." This does not do any network connecting, and you'll notice that the video is in 640 X 480 format. This is about as raw as it gets! It should bypass the password and allow you to access the Control Panel and change whatever has been done.

I see all these methods for getting around the Bios and administrator passwords and am worried that anyone can bypass mine. Why have one then? What have I missed here?

With the procedure I just mentioned they are right that is for resetting the password for the BIOS.

I trained to IT II level with the Cisco Systems Networking Academy 5 years ago and haven't been using what I've learned so my information here isn't that reliable anymore.

Vermin and the guy callled guest are both giving you good information.

You should try both methods. That is a good way to learn. If you are still having trouble check back in here and explain the results you're getting and someone can redirect you if you did a wrong step.

Maybe you can use password manager to recover or change password for your account.