password for Dell laptop bought at yard sale

xryanx February 20, 2010 at 17:26:47

Do you mean the HD password you can set?..or, a user account that has a password?

Jennifer SUMN February 21, 2010 at 09:18:33

Is this a BIOS password to which you're referring? I'm guessing that you, for whatever reason, didn't boot up the computer before you bought it. Thus, the surprise when you did boot it up, only to find there's a password. Dell will help, but first of all, you'll need to change the registered owner of the computer. In order to do that, you'll need the original owner's information. LIR

xryanx February 21, 2010 at 10:15:19

If you have access to another computer, why not download a copy of Webroot Window Washer, and then create a system erase disk and erase the drive?..It would be a lot easier than having Dell to help you, I think. But, perhaps Dell is the next best option if you don't have a OEM/Reinstall disc of XP/Vista.

XpUser4Real May 15, 2010 at 07:23:45

'Hi I bought a Dell inspiton e1505 at a yard sale and I cant get into it without the system password' Laptops are the hardest to rectify when a password is set because there are SO many that are stolen. You can call Dell support and they will ask you for all the serial numbers etc and you will know if it is a stolen laptop. If it is not, then they will probably direct you on how to reset the password. (probably for a fee) Depending on the password, there are some that will NOT even allow you to reformat and put on another operating system. Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers