Used Computer..locked myself out somehow

[Farmer ED]

I recently got a used computer with Vista Home Basic on it. Everything went fine last night when I first started it. Put my email account on it, etc. However, when I came home today and got on it, a window asking for my password appeared. It's my name, but I don't have any idea on what the password, evidently from a previous owner, could be. I don't even know how I got where I got. Now I can't get in the computer at all. Any help available?

 

[FightingScallion]

This seems like it could be an issue similar to this person's: http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/134408-help-please.html#post627155

Try using Brink's advice. It should work for you. If not, let us know and we'll give it a more in depth go.

 

[Brink]

Hi Farmer Ed,

Welcome to Vista x64 Forums.

If the above link does not help you, then other than a reinstall of Vista you may have to do Method Three in this tutorial to reset the password to gain access again.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/102005-reset-user-account-password.html

Shawn

 

[Farmer ED]

Okay, I have worked on this every day since I posted the question. I am a total non-techie. I have safe mode open, and that's as far as I get. I tried safe mode command prompt, and just got the logon screen again. Can you help me, step-by-slow-step? I left it on overnight once and there was a "system restore screen" that showed three accounts: administrator, guest and the original owner's screenname. Administrator and guest reported "have been disabled". I can't get to the startup screen at all, and I don't have a disk of anykind. Can I make one from my son's Vista Home Premium that will work on my home basic. Both are HP, though mine is Compaq.

 

[Brink]

Farmer ED,

Yes, you can go to the link above and make a boot DVD using METHOD THREE in the tutorial from your son's computer. The instructions will be included at the site in METHOD THREE. You can then use it on your computer to reset the password to gain access again.

Shawn