Gateway Parts

I am locked out of my Gateway Laptop.?

I got a laptoop at a garage sale for $50. So cheap I couldn't pass it up. When I turn it on it automatically goes to enter password. I have no idea how to bypass this! HELP I think I just got ripped off! It is a Gateway solo 5150.

Public Comments

1. There is a program called ERD commander from a company called Winternals. This program will allow you change any windows based password for the machine. If it is a power on password, meaning that it is there when you boot up and you never see a windows screen, then you can "Flash" the bios and that will take care of that password. you can find the proper codes for doing that by doing a google search on your particular model.
2. Gateway's web site says this is a Pentium 2, 233 to 400MHz and comes with 32 MB of ram on board. If it workes well then it would be an OK buy for $50. The pass word protect is part of the BIOS. You will have to clear the CMOS , or BIOS chip, to get the password cleared too. The only way to do this is remove the battery, remove the motherboard battery and wait awhile, finally jump the two solderpoints labeled "clear cmos". You will probably have to remove the keyboard to get the motherboard battery out and remove the ram cover to access the clear cmos jumpers. I don't know how this motherboard is set up, this is just an educated guess bases on other laptops. If you are not comfortable doing this than find a friend who is, maybe sell it for $50 to a repair shop or something.
3. What is the operating system (Windows XP, 98)? If it is XP, here are some websites that offer password change utilities: http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/ http://www.sharewareconnection.com/windows-xp-password-reset-software.htm http://windows-xp-utility.qarchive.org/ http://www.freewarebox.com/free_6245_windows-xp-password-reset-software-download.html I have used teh first one, but it requires you to know where Windows store the user account settings. If you don't wish to go this route, you could always do a fresh install of your favorite OS.
4. go back to the garage sale place and ask them what the password is.