on start-up it asks for password, how can i get around this

That is a vague question. Whose PC are you trying to access? Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

i bought it at an auction for 12.00

Since you said 98 is your OS, (although if you haven't been able to boot, I don't know how you can be sure of that) then you must be referring to a BIOS password. The easiest way to remove it is to open the computer and look for the CMOS battery. Remove it for 15 minutes or so. Reinsert it, powerup the computer, and the BIOS password should be gone. Or, if you can find the password jumper (it will be labeled), you can invert that, reboot, power down, put the jumper back in its original position, and then power up again. That will also remove a BIOS password. This is all assuming this is a desktop computer of course, and not a laptop. EEOC