In a case such as this, I would probably just boot the computer from a
memory stick running a Linux distro of some sort. In the past I would
have said boot the computer with a Live CD, nowadays though you can put
an entire OS on a USB stick. Most Linux distros can read NTFS drives,
so the hard drive would then just become another storage device the
Linux system can look at. Then you should be able to move any required
data to safe place somewhere other than the Laptop - maybe DropBox, or
just to the USB stick you booted from even.
Because you indicated she is not concerned about her personal files, you
*may* be able to trigger a factory reset/recovery of the system. But
this is either done from the BIOS, or via a boot menu (which you may
have to Google how to bring up when booting - but try hitting ESC a
bunch of times as it boots...). This assumes a recovery partition exists.
If you cannot trigger the factory reset, then I would just create a
Windows boot disk - CD/USB/whatever this system can use, then reinstall
windows from scratch. You can download the media from MS, and the "key"
should be on the underside of the computer (I think - it seems more
recent boxes are not doing this...)
But before you got THAT far, there are ways to just reset a forgotten
password. https://www.google.ca/search?q=reset+windows+admin+password -
I was going to grab one of the routines and post it, but which routine
you need will depend on what version of Windows you have. (and I'm
surprised - you have to do a reinstall of Win8.1 if you forget your
admin password? Holy crap that seems SOOOOO outdated, but glad to learn
that as the GF just picked up a Win8.1 laptop...)
Others on the list can most definitely offer better advice, I'm sure.
But here's hoping this gets you started at least.
Merry HoHo to you as well!!!
Shawn
On 14-12-22 12:16 PM, Ralph Boland wrote:
A friend of mine cannot get into her computer as she has forgotten her
password and I would like to help.
She is selling her computer so it doesn't matter if I have to destroy
her personal files to do so.
The computer is an ASUS ASPIRE (a very small laptop). I not sure of
the version of Windows it runs and won't until she returns for Xmas in
about a wk.
Can someone post or email me the solution for getting access to the computer.
Keep in mind that I am a Linux only person and don't know even most
basic stuff about
Windows. I am also not sure how to do this on Linux since I have no
experience at the BIOS
level where I assume I have to go to solve this problem.
Thanks, and Merry Xmas (from Newfoundland where I am spending the holidays).
Ralph Boland
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