I was given this pc - a Dell Dimension XPS D300 with no other information, I can't get past the login screen. When it boots, tapping f8 or f10 doesn't help. I have removed the battery to see if I can reset the password when I reinstall it. Is there any other way to bypass pr reset the password so that I can use the systen?

Is it a BIOS password or Windows password you need to clear?

What do you hope to accomplish by pressing F8 or F10? Can you get to the login screen? If so, contact the person who gave you the computer and ask him/her for a valid login. Or, better yet, restore the computer to Factory settings. EEOC

Assuming you're talking about the Windows 98 login screen, just press "Cancel." Unless it uses a third-party authentication method, like a Netware domain, it should take you to the default desktop. Passwords in Windows 98 were pretty much a joke.

happykaka This is for a W98 machine. None of your links are applicable except the very first one in #3. All the rest are for later operating systems. The correct approach is to first establish which password the poster means. If it is after the Windows screen arrives then it can normally be sorted out quite easily. If it is before Windows even starts (BIOS) then there ways to clear this too. Third party software is not usually necessary and I doubt any of those suggested deal with a BIOS password. pugman52, could you please try to determine which password you mean and we can then progress your post. Let us know exactly when the password request occurs It is just possible that it was put on by a company, in which case happykaka's first link might appy (assuming there is some way to run the software). some other bloke...