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alis volat propriis
Lv 4
alis volat propriis asked in Computers & InternetHardwareLaptops & Notebooks · 8 years ago

My toddler grandson got into my old Dell laptop and somehow managed to change the password.?

I used to work in IT (back in the Dark Ages-1997), and I know there used to be a way for an Admin to log on to a computer when they didn't know the password, but them days are gone and nothing works. Does anyone have any ideas? It's a Dell Latitude D410 with Windows XP OS. Thanks!

Update:

Thanks for your suggestions so far. I was able to get into the F2 menu and set an admin password, but it didn't work. I also tried booting up in safe mode and that didn't work, either. As for asking him the password, he's only 2 - I don't know how he was able to change the pw - he just managed to hit the right combination of keys somehow (he has watched me work on it, probably just mimicking me). Yeah, I know it should have been out of his reach but it was an unexpected visit and I was working on it when they came over. My bad! My worse if I can't get into the laptop anymore. Thanks again for your help!

4 Answers

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  • Renee G
    Lv 6
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Dell & Amazon have disks to let you get into the BIOS and find the password. Do you have the external optical drive (I used to have a D410)?

    Or contact Dell's techs to see if they can help or you can run a search on the Dell User Forum to see if you can find instructions on getting into where you need to be to remove or change the password.

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    Try seeing if you can reset the password without having to type in the one your toddler changed. I f not that take it to a computer shop and they should be able 2 help u. keep ur laptop out of his reach. if he was able 2 change it without getting 2 da one u had u should b able 2 reset it.

  • FunnyGuy
    8 years ago

    Nothing is possible that I know of, does he remember the password?

  • robert S
    Lv 5
    8 years ago

    try booting your machine up in safe mode and create new administer account

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