System password for windows xp

Mark36Mark36
edited January 2010 in Science & Tech
I had to re-install xp recently and now all I get is a black screen that says "Type the system password <Enter>
Enter password: and the cursor is blinking but I can't type anything, like the keyboard is unplugged but the num lock and cap lock lights turn on and off.
Any suggestions.
Thank you in advance for your input.

Comments

  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2010
    At what point when it's rebooting does that prompt come up?
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    kryyst wrote:
    At what point when it's rebooting does that prompt come up?
    Before it goes to a login screen.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2010
    Does it get past the bios post screen? If so sounds like you have an encrypted hard drive.
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    Yes it does get past the bios post screen. What in encrypted hard drive? It doesn't sound good. I do have 2 separate hard drives. If that helps.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2010
    The post screen would be the information that first comes up when you turn your computer on. Talking about the motherboard or it's brand name (Dell, Lenovo, Sony) then often flashes some info about some system components before the first windows loading bar shows up.
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    kryyst wrote:
    The post screen would be the information that first comes up when you turn your computer on. Talking about the motherboard or it's brand name (Dell, Lenovo, Sony) then often flashes some info about some system components before the first windows loading bar shows up.

    Actually, the only screen it shows is the one that says Dell.com and bios rev A03
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2010
    Is the password on that screen, or does it come afterwards?
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    Thrax wrote:
    Is the password on that screen, or does it come afterwards?

    It comes afterwards
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2010
    I'm 99% sure you've somehow set a system lock in your bios. This isn't something that would have happened during a windows xp installation as it has nothing to do with touching your bios.

    Restart your computer a message will pop up saying 'Press -some key- to enter the system settings' Often it's F2, Enter or F10. This will take you into your bios settings look for a security setting that talks about bios passwords and remove any passwords you've set.

    However if a password has been set to prevent people from even getting into their bios you'll need to reset your bios. This can usually be done by flipping a jumper on your mother board and reboot, fix your bios settings power off flip the jumper back and reboot again. Alternatively disconnect all the power to your computer and pull out the cmos battery and let it sit like that for an hour (typically 30 mins is all that's needed) put it back together and reboot and your bios should be reset.

    If this is a laptop none of those things will work to reset your bios as laptops use an entirely different method. Typically that involves getting lucky and guessing the password or sending it back to the manufacturer and have them reset it.

    So now with that all out of the way. Tell us what really happened as what your claiming just makes no sense.
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    kryyst wrote:
    I'm 99% sure you've somehow set a system lock in your bios. This isn't something that would have happened during a windows xp installation as it has nothing to do with touching your bios.

    Restart your computer a message will pop up saying 'Press -some key- to enter the system settings' Often it's F2, Enter or F10. This will take you into your bios settings look for a security setting that talks about bios passwords and remove any passwords you've set.

    However if a password has been set to prevent people from even getting into their bios you'll need to reset your bios. This can usually be done by flipping a jumper on your mother board and reboot, fix your bios settings power off flip the jumper back and reboot again. Alternatively disconnect all the power to your computer and pull out the cmos battery and let it sit like that for an hour (typically 30 mins is all that's needed) put it back together and reboot and your bios should be reset.

    If this is a laptop none of those things will work to reset your bios as laptops use an entirely different method. Typically that involves getting lucky and guessing the password or sending it back to the manufacturer and have them reset it.

    So now with that all out of the way. Tell us what really happened as what your claiming just makes no sense.


    Thank you for all your input, as for "what really happened", I didn't say that I didn't set a password. The problem is that my keyboard will not type anything. And when I press the F2 key, or the F12 key or any key, it still goes to the same screen. If I press enter it says incorrect password and then it says system halted! Must power down and it just sits there.
  • RyderRyder Kalamazoo, Mi Icrontian
    edited January 2010
    Mark,

    So.. Did you set a password in the bios? Or only for Windows?

    Nothing may be displayed when you type, this is for security.

    Have you tried typing exactly what you set for the password then pressing enter?
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2010
    Well the other common key to get into Bios on a Dell is the delete key. Just turn on your computer and start tapping it. You can't just hit it once and hope for the best.

    If you have a USB keyboard it could be it's not registering correctly in the bios if your motherboard supports it you can get a USB - PS/2 adapter and connect it that way. If it is a PS/2 keyboard already unplug it and make sure you don't have a bent pin and try again.
  • Mark36Mark36
    edited January 2010
    RyderOCZ wrote:
    Mark,

    So.. Did you set a password in the bios? Or only for Windows?

    Nothing may be displayed when you type, this is for security.

    Have you tried typing exactly what you set for the password then pressing enter?

    I typed it in exactly as I set it the system password. Not sure if the system password is in the bios.
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