I have a Dell Desk top PC at home. It is running Windows XP.. It is about 3 years old. I never put a log on password to get in.. But now for some reason it is asking for one? So I can not get past the start up/log in screen. Can any one help with this?2 people got this answerI do too

These thingsusually don't happen all by themselves. After you get into Windows (see techniques below), do some thorough scanning for malware.http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_MalwareIf you have forgotten your password, if you have another user account with administrative privileges you can log into that account and change your original user account's password from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel. If you don't have another account like this set up or don't have the password to it, you'll need to log into the built-in Administrator account. In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account. The default password is a blank.In XP Pro, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen, do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in "Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up Windows.If you reset the built-in Administrator account's password in Home or have Pro and don't remember the password,there are ways to change the password for that account to a blank. Microsoft doesn't permit us to tell you how in these forums. Their house, their rules. Use Google or ask a local computer tech. Don't use a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).Then go to the User Accounts applet in Control Panel and set passwords that you will remember and make other desired changes.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

I can not even get past the log in screen... Is there anything I can do? says :name and Password.. all I get...

I already told you how to get in - log into the built-in Administrator account.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

When the Unit turns on... it goes straight to a log on screen...nothing else.. no other options.. No welcome screen..

Then that's not a Windows password. If you get a request for password as soon as you turn on the computer, that is a BIOS security password. These things do not get set by themselves. Who else has access to the computer?MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

It is a house computer... But it has not ever asked for this in 3 years..

Well, someone in your house set a BIOS password. You should ask the other people who use the computer. Otherwise just Google for "clear BIOS password".MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Did you ever get this resolved? I am having the same issue. I have never had a password set for that prompt, administrative or otherwise and my six year old decided to turn on the computer after I had shut it down for updating the night before thus attempting to put in a password that does not exist. I can't get past that screen. In the past when that screen appeared, I would click cancel and it would bypass the prompt. I read the responses that you received and didn't see a resolution posted. thanks and hope it worked out for you

I very much doubt that the OP is going to come back. He last posted in November of 2009. Next time make a new post for yourself instead of posting to an old, closed thread.The answer for you is the same thing. If this is a Windows password you're talking about, follow the instructions below (repeated from the November answer for your convenience). If this is a BIOS password (password required immediately when you turn the computer on) you will need to contact the computer mftr.'s tech support. For a Windows password:If you have forgotten your password, if you have another user account with administrative privileges you can log into that account and change your original user account's password from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel. If you don't have another account like this set up or don't have the password to it, you'll need to log into the built-in Administrator account. In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account. The default password is a blank.In XP Pro, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen, do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in "Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up Windows.If you have XP Pro or Media Center and were using the built-in Administrator account for your regular work and it is therefore the only user account on the system, there are ways to change the password for that account to a blank. Microsoft doesn't permit us to tell you how in these forums. Their house, their rules. Use Google or ask a local computer tech (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

HI! I think I am having a similar problem. My six year old set up a password on his and my user accounts and now can't remember what it was. I tried booting up in safe mode by tapping f8 while the computer was booting and got the windows boot manager. My only option to choose was microsoft windows xp. I don't see where I can access an administrator. I do have windows xp home edition on a compaq netbook, what else can I do?

Read the answer I gave to both the original poster and to "Jabner's Mom". If you got the boot manager you hit F8 too soon. Sometimes F5 gets you to the diagnostic screen on some computers so you can try that, too. But probably you hit F8 too soon. Wait until you see the first splash screen (example - on a Dell when you see the Dell screen) and then start tapping F8.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Thank you so very much! My father died in 2005 and I was not able to assess his computer because of password issue. I found his computer and thought I would try again. You advice was very specific and accurate. Have a great day!