Hi everyone! I got a laptop from someone off freecycle for my 2 YEAR old just to play games on. It's got Windows XP but the person I got it from must've put on a password to log on to Windows. I can't reach her...phone or email. Is there anyway for me to wipe it out or something? I can't get into it otherwise. Thanks!The password is to PREVENT access from anyone else. That is what it is supposed to do and it looks like it is working.

Is this a BIOS password or a Windows password? Do you see the Windows logo? Did you get a Windows CD with that to reinstall if necessary?The Win xp logo is on it so I'm assuming it's a windows password. No she didn't give me anything but the laptop. Actually I had to go out and buy a plug....she seemed a bit...scatterbrained. Anyway. I have something from my computer which is an HP....does it matter if the other machine is a Toshiba?If it is a restore CD it will do you no good. If it is a real Windows CD you may be able to use it IF that copy is not installed and running on another machine. Unforttunately it ssounds like tthat registration number is in use. Bill Gates wants you to pay for one copy of Windows for every machine, and the acttivation scheme in place to get it to RUN after 30 days ENFORCES that.  It gets worse than that, though. If you go to the store you cannot use the lower priced Windows XP upgrade CD unless you have a CD from a previous, qualifying version of Windows. Do you have one of those? If not, then you get to buy the full product (about $100 more) or an OEM copy.  Well that stinks! I don't have that so I guess I better wait and see if this girl will get back to me. Geez...all I wanted was a computer for my SON to play games on. LOL. Who knew!  Thanks for your help anyway.Maybe she will be able to help. Let us know.  Thanks for your attempts to help me. LOL. I'll let you know if she gives me the password or not. It's easy enough to change once I'm in there so....hopefully.  A clean install is the best way to go, perhaps W2K would suit your price range?
You can reset the xp password but it's expensive.
http://www.lostpassword.com/asterisk.htmYAY! She got back to me with the password! Thanks alot for your help!She didn't happen to come throgh with a Windows CD did she?Well no but that's ok. LOL