|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Aug 15, 2016 17:59:15 GMT
When I got my iPad, I threw a perfectly good laptop into a drawer never to grab it until I needed it this weekend. That pretty much explains my wife and her laptop; same story for the Kindle that she thought she could not possibly live without. I have recently put new life and purpose into both, turning them into portable photo viewers, which has worked out wonderfully; the laptop is good for such as going to Aunt Ethel's and the Kindle's small size makes it ideal for when the laptop would be a bit too bulky. Funny thing is that the wife didn't give that old laptop a second thought so long as it was buried away out of sight and mind; now that I have got it up and running again, I can't hardly get it away from her. I am happy to read that you have a solution to your lost password situation. |
|
|
|
Post by Sepiana on Aug 15, 2016 19:06:05 GMT
This procedure does beg the question - if I can back up the files and I can restore the computer - what's the point of a password? Janice, having a password is a matter of security (particularly when someone else may be using your computer). If this is not the case, you can skip creating a password.
How To Automatically Login To Windows, Without Typing Any Password
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Aug 15, 2016 20:27:46 GMT
Sepiana -- I did bypass having a password after re-install, but my question was more about the usefulness of having a password at all -- in the case of theft.
If one can back up files and then wipe out the OS and reinstall - thus giving you, in essence, a brand new laptop - what would stop a thief from taking my laptop, wiping it out -- to make it their own.
Seems a password keeps the kids out, and that's about it.
Don't get me wrong - I'm very glad I can once again use my laptop, but I'll never bother with a password again. It's a silly waste of time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Major Major on Aug 15, 2016 21:06:59 GMT
Well, the value of having a password is not in the case of a thief stealing your laptop and then wiping it clean and reinstalling the OS and his/her own programs, it's the case of a thief stealing your laptop and NOT wiping it clean, thus having access to whatever sensitive files and info you might have on there.
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Aug 16, 2016 2:43:22 GMT
But Major, I was able to save files prior to wiping....
If someone can first save the files, then wipe out the computer to be able to use it - what's the security???
(Of course, I did mention that I couldn't open the files - at least not yet - but I was asked about what files I wanted to save and where - so I put them on the EHD.... Another issue for another time)
|
|
|
|
Post by Inspeqtor on Aug 16, 2016 6:08:56 GMT
Thanks for the phone number, Charles. I should've trusted Mr. Google instead of going directly to the HP site and trying a bunch of links that just kept sending me to more help links. Janice, Glad to know I was a little help to you  |
|
|
|
Post by Major Major on Aug 16, 2016 12:21:43 GMT
Janice -
You're talking about two different things. One is about you wiping your computer, and one isn't. It's the second case that's dangerous without a password id the computer's stolen.
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Aug 17, 2016 17:45:09 GMT
Janice - You're talking about two different things. One is about you wiping your computer, and one isn't. It's the second case that's dangerous without a password id the computer's stolen. UPDATE After wiping out and restoring my laptop, I transfered the files I saved on my EHD during the Recovery back onto my laptop. The .wim files easily copied to my laptop when I used the Recovery Mgr Application. After the files were copied to my laptop, I was able to open them. So - I say again - what use was the password I had on my laptop? I was able to copy any files I wanted to the EHD as the first step during the Recovery process. After my computer was restored, I was able to copy these .wim files back onto my computer and open them. Seems, the bad guys could do the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy. But, unless I didn't do the password thingy correctly in the first place, my password has proved useless. It took a little time to get at the files, but it was easily doable. And, by the way, I found out there was nothing worth saving anyway. LOL___________________________________ HP Pavilion dv5 Laptop running Windows 7 ___________________________________ |
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Aug 17, 2016 18:01:30 GMT
cats4jan, I haven't yet understood where you got the resources to do all of this; did you have to pay for something or was it free ?
I am currently looking into making a "mirror image" of my almost-new clean install of Windows 7 Pro to keep on an external hard-drive for just-in-case.
I am uncertain if such can simply co-exist on the same hard-drive that I store my images on, or if it will require a dedicated drive.
Thanks for reading.
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Aug 17, 2016 18:25:52 GMT
hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=unableloginos.net&as=true§ion=ccwebI used the above link provided by Sepiana. It had very clear step-by-step directions in how to restore my OS. Since it was a laptop, I put it right next to my desktop and read the instructions off the desktop while I did the steps. I did the opposite when I restored my Mac. I used the laptop with it's instructions showing - and worked on my Mac. The first step was to choose which files I wanted saved to another source - DVD, EHD, USB Flash Drive, another computer -
I used an external hard drive . I was specific in which files I wanted saved since all I wanted was the pictures and documents. I did not back up the OS onto the external source. NOTE: This may not be a good procedure for doing a recovery disk. I'm sure someone will provide you with a better way to make a recovery disk. Provide the exact computer and operating system you are using, so they can be concise. Be aware that this stuff is relatively simple to do, but un-nerving because you are tinkering with the unknown. It's better for me when I know there is no other option but to try. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Aug 17, 2016 19:30:34 GMT
Thanks.
I bookmarked that link, but I didn't follow it all the way through; where did you get the clean install of Windows 7; from that link or elsewhere ?
On EDIT: Some time ago, I made "system repair disc"; but, I have not created system recovery discs; I think they are different things, but am not sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sepiana on Aug 17, 2016 20:51:58 GMT
I bookmarked that link, but I didn't follow it all the way through; where did you get the clean install of Windows 7; from that link or elsewhere ?
BuckSkin,
Please note that the link in question addresses Janice's problem -- lost password.
If you are just interested in creating a recovery disc, you have more than one choice.
- Contact the manufacturer of your computer and request a recovery disc. Some manufacturers will provide it at no cost; others will ask for a minimal fee. - Your computer usually comes with additional built-in software to create such a disc (courtesy of the manufacturer). Just do a search -- "System Recovery Media". - Use Windows built-in feature -- Control Panel\System and Security\Backup and Restore\Create a system image
They are not the same.
What’s the difference between a System Recovery disc and Windows 7’s System Repair disc?
|
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Aug 17, 2016 21:01:00 GMT
Thanks for clearing that up, Sepiana.
On EDIT: I have been reading and that is a wonderful site; lots of easy to understand explanations of repairing and restoring Windows 7
Before I get a ton of stuff, and maybe some viruses, I intend to make a system image of this newest machine.
I am not in the habit of storing anything permanent in the hard-drive of the computer; the only things that land in libraries are such things that whatever program I am using doesn't have enough sense to let me route them somewhere else; I quickly copy such stuff to an external drive, so a system image won't become too outdated for my use.
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Aug 17, 2016 23:32:21 GMT
Buckskin - everything was free. The computer used the OS that was on the computer.
Actually, I did not have a computer problem - my problem was stupidity. I forgot what password I had put on the computer. I tried every password I could think of, but nothing opened the computer. My only choice was a wipe out of the OS.
But, as Sepiana has said - that link provided the answer to my specific problem.
Your issue is much more simple - not at all scary - it's just copying some files onto another source - be it a DVD or an EHD or another computer. I believe it would easily fit on a DVD if you have a DVD burner on your computer. So many new computers no longer have DVD burners. I know the technology is getting old, but some of us still like DVD burner/readers.
|
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Aug 18, 2016 0:13:12 GMT
Thanks, Janice; the reason I seem scared of such things is that I am scared of me not being scared and ending up wishing I had let sleeping dogs lie; I have been bit a few times.
Although you have your situation resolved, is the password you forgot still a mystery ?
|
|
