Removing password?

I have a several-year-old notebook computer with XP Home. Years ago, for
some reason I forget, I password protected it (added administrative
account???). I don't recall how I did it. Now I regret doing that because I
rarely use it and am afraid one day I won't be able to find the written-
down password or have some other problem. How can I remove this so the
system has only one unprotected account as it had when I got it and like my
two desktop computers with XP Home?

Perhaps one of you has found this info. I looked in the Control Panel at
the Users, Administrator and Security stuff but didn't see anything that
seemed appropriate. I haven't seriously Googled for it; just thought I'd
ask if anyone ran across it and how, if it's simple. Otherwise I'll
research it with Google - Real Soon Now.

TIA


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

On 12/6/2013 11:31 AM, KenK wrote:
I have a several-year-old notebook computer with XP Home. Years ago, for
some reason I forget, I password protected it (added administrative
account???). I don't recall how I did it. Now I regret doing that because I
rarely use it and am afraid one day I won't be able to find the written-
down password or have some other problem. How can I remove this so the
system has only one unprotected account as it had when I got it and like my
two desktop computers with XP Home?

Perhaps one of you has found this info. I looked in the Control Panel at
the Users, Administrator and Security stuff but didn't see anything that
seemed appropriate. I haven't seriously Googled for it; just thought I'd
ask if anyone ran across it and how, if it's simple. Otherwise I'll
research it with Google - Real Soon Now.

TIA


Depends on whether the whole notebook or just one account is PW-protected.

If it is just one account, then (after logging in), click on Start, then
click on Settings, then click on ControlPanel, then click on
UserAccounts, then click on ChangeAnAccount, then select the account of
interest. That should lead you to entering the current PW and to
leaving the box for the new PW blank. (If I recall correctly; this PC
does not have any PW because I trust my kids/wife/dog.)

If the whole notebook is PW-protected (meaning it demands a PW when you
do a cold boot), then you need to get into the BIOS to change the PW
(from whatever it is to blank). Getting into BIOS varies from one
vendor to another; maybe hit DEL, maybe ESC, maybe one of the
F-keys. If all else fails, power down the notebook, remove the BIOS
battery (coin-shaped) and reboot: that should clear the PW (and other
params); then power down to reinstall the BIOS battery.

--
Cheers, Bob

Bob Willard wrote in news:l7tf0r$3om$1
@dont-email.me:

If the whole notebook is PW-protected (meaning it demands a PW when you
do a cold boot), then you need to get into the BIOS to change the PW
(from whatever it is to blank). Getting into BIOS varies from one
vendor to another; maybe hit DEL, maybe ESC, maybe one of the
F-keys. If all else fails, power down the notebook, remove the BIOS
battery (coin-shaped) and reboot: that should clear the PW

Boy! Talk about good security!

(and other
params); then power down to reinstall the BIOS battery.


Not worth the trouble. I'll just put copies of the password in several
places so I don't lose it. I had hoped it was just a matter of
unselecting an option somewhere.

Thanks much!


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

KenK wrote:
Bob Willard wrote in news:l7tf0r$3om$1
@dont-email.me:

If the whole notebook is PW-protected (meaning it demands a PW when you
do a cold boot), then you need to get into the BIOS to change the PW
(from whatever it is to blank). Getting into BIOS varies from one
vendor to another; maybe hit DEL, maybe ESC, maybe one of the
F-keys. If all else fails, power down the notebook, remove the BIOS
battery (coin-shaped) and reboot: that should clear the PW

Boy! Talk about good security!

(and other
params); then power down to reinstall the BIOS battery.


Not worth the trouble. I'll just put copies of the password in several
places so I don't lose it. I had hoped it was just a matter of
unselecting an option somewhere.

Thanks much!



Not all laptops use a "battery based password".

Some store the password in a 2K EEPROM, and removing the
battery will not clear the password. Those are a lot more
trouble to deal with.

Paul

On Sat, 07 Dec 2013 13:38:46 -0500, Paul wrote:

KenK wrote:
Bob Willard wrote in news:l7tf0r$3om$1
@dont-email.me:

If the whole notebook is PW-protected (meaning it demands a PW when you
do a cold boot), then you need to get into the BIOS to change the PW
(from whatever it is to blank). Getting into BIOS varies from one
vendor to another; maybe hit DEL, maybe ESC, maybe one of the
F-keys. If all else fails, power down the notebook, remove the BIOS
battery (coin-shaped) and reboot: that should clear the PW

Boy! Talk about good security!

I don't know. Any thief or spy who knew how could do this. Now I
can.

(and other
params); then power down to reinstall the BIOS battery.

Not worth the trouble. I'll just put copies of the password in several
places so I don't lose it. I had hoped it was just a matter of
unselecting an option somewhere.

Thanks much!

Not all laptops use a "battery based password".

Some store the password in a 2K EEPROM, and removing the
battery will not clear the password. Those are a lot more
trouble to deal with.

I'll bet.

Paul