Problem with Packard Bell PC

[ktnguyen]

Hi all,

My niece has a Packard Bell PC given to her a few years ago. I don't know what she has done to it but now when we turn it on, it's asking for a password. We cannot access the system or do anything with the PC because we don't know what the password is.

I would like to know if there's any way to solve the problem. Is the PC still useable or I have to throw it away? Could anyone please help.

Thanks very much!!!!!

[mander]

First thing we are going to need to know is what operating system is installed on said machine? That will give us an idea as to tell you how to fix it.

[justabitcrazee]

woo hoo! grab youself a copy of windows XP (if it will run) and reinstall! I'll do it for 20$ :vil:

[Bogie]

When is the password being requested? Right at boot or entering Windows?

As asked by Mander .... which version of the OS - 95, 98, WinMe, XP? I am presuming 95 or 98.

[AMD]

If the BIOS is prompting for a password, just clear the CMOS and be done with it. (jumper on the motherboard)

[glitch]

You can also try backdoor BIOS passwords.
"bell9" without the quotes seems to be one for Packard Bell PCs according to:

http://www.tech-faq.com/reset-bios-password.shtml

Well this is assuming it's a BIOS password and not at the operating system level.

[ktnguyen]

Thanks all soooo much for replying!

The OS Version on the PC is 95 and the password is requested at boot.

I don't really know much about computers, but I'll try to fix it....hopefully it won't be too complicated:)

[Menthol]

Welcome to the board. We'll try our best to help. Did you try entering bell9 to see if that works? Read thru that site that glitch posted. If anything there does not work, let us know. I guess you will not have the manual for the motherboard, you may have to clear the CMOS as AMD suggested but you'll have to move some jumpers on the motherboard. Where are you located ?




Thanks all soooo much for replying!

The OS Version on the PC is 95 and the password is requested at boot.

I don't really know much about computers, but I'll try to fix it....hopefully it won't be too complicated:)

[ktnguyen]

Thanks all sooooooooooooo very much! You guys/girls are amazing!!!

I did move the jumper on the motherboard and it solved the problem. The PC is working now. I'm soooo happy and my niece is too.

However, some of the programs and windows files have been ruined. I was wondering if I should re-install windows and start afresh. Please advise.

Thanks so much!!!

[AMD]

If there are issues with the operating system which can't easily be resolved, go ahead and format the drive.

[ktnguyen]

thanks AMD! Actually I don't really know how to format or re-install windows:) The problem is I can't find Windows Explorer anywhere on the PC. Maybe I just need to re-install Windows Explorer and re-set up some programs to see how everything works out before formating the drive. Could you please tell me how to re-install Windows Explorer on Win95? yeah....it's an old...old...really old PC for my niece:)

thanks a bunch

[Menthol]

If it's working and she is happy leave it as is, to reformat you have to find out all the different hardware your computer has inside and have download the drivers for those hardware and have them ready before you reformat. Read here if you are going to do it. If you're not too sure you can find someone who has done it before to show you how. If you want to go ahead, we're always her to support. Put aside one day for your first time. Goodluck

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q255867

http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/how-tos/reinstall-faq.html




thanks AMD! Actually I don't really know how to format or re-install windows:) The problem is I can't find Windows Explorer anywhere on the PC. Maybe I just need to re-install Windows Explorer and re-set up some programs to see how everything works out before formating the drive. Could you please tell me how to re-install Windows Explorer on Win95? yeah....it's an old...old...really old PC for my niece:)

thanks a bunch

[ktnguyen]

Geez....that sounds soooooo complicated. I guess I should just leave everything as is:):) Thanks Menthol, AMD and everyone for your time. You guys are grrrrrrreat!!!!

[glitch]

Geez....that sounds soooooo complicated. I guess I should just leave everything as is:):) Thanks Menthol, AMD and everyone for your time. You guys are grrrrrrreat!!!!

For the explorer, go into the Start menu and find it there. Should be similar to recent version of Windows. Windows XP explorer is in Start>Prog>Accessories.
Or you can type explorer.exe in Start>run. Explorer.exe is probably in the Windows folder so can create a shortcut to it on the desktop.