I have bought a used Dell Optiplex GX520 and cannot get into windows because it is password protected. I have tried reinstalling windows but I'm locked out. The computer will not recognize my cd as a bootable drive. Can anyone help me?
Thanks gbhall, The bios recognizes the cd but if I set it as the boot drive it says "device not available" As to the boot partition, I get a message that says "no loader". Starting in safe mode I still need the password on the log-on screen. Any other ideas?Three posssible sources of confusion :-
(a) are you actually aware of how to get into the bios to change the boot order? Unless the CD/DVD is placed at the top of the boot order in the bios then it will not boot from an install CD.
(b) are you aware that Dells often come with a reinstall XP procedure to install from a hidden reinstall partition ? There will be a special key-combination to press at boot time to activate this feature.
(c) Are you really locked out of Windows ? Start in F8 (safe mode) and there will be the option to enter a user. At that point, a special user (administrator) is available, whose password is often or usually blank. Try that. if you get into windows then, you can manipulate all other users, including deleting them and adding a new one for yourself.
(d) I believe there are bootable packages available on the web to discover the user password for any user presented - but I never told you anything about that did I?
raybay, I am really starting to understand the difficulties. LOLUnless you have actually experienced the password issue on a Dell, you cannot understand the difficulties.
When do you get the "device not available" message? In the setup screen or after you have saved it and try to boot with the CD?Thanks gbhall, The bios recognizes the cd but if I set it as the boot drive it says "device not available" As to the boot partition, I get a message that says "no loader". Starting in safe mode I still need the password on the log-on screen. Any other ideas?