Help Me Hack My Own Computer

Technology and Gaming Help and Support
#1

So W8 graciously offered an update to W8.1, only to suddeny force a restart and an install at startup. Then it proceeded to force me to make an online MS account. Out ofimpatience I just typed some random stuff I can’t even remember.

Then it imposed password protection to use the laptop (there was none before), and now I’m locked out.

How the fuck can I get into my own (my sister’s) computer?
Don’t know the password, can’t do recovery because I don’t have enough information.

Also, there no POST screen or anything, so I don’t know how to get into BIOS or startup recovery.

Thanks :smiley:

#2

Can’t you create a new MS account on another PC and use that on the laptop?

#3

Nope, I can’t switch accounts. Stupid, right?

#4

Unless there’s some secret tablet gesture that wi aow me to

edit: llllll

#5

Yeah, lame. I remember that Windows 98 (and XP too, I believe?) stored username and password info on easy to read files accessible from ms-dos, so it was really easy to get into people’s computers.

Well, you could always google how to access the boot options on that particular laptop and just do a format/reinstall but maybe it’s best to wait for sersoft’s solution :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

Yeah haha, I hope he shows up.

Things used to be simple man. Now you have to endure ridiculous shit just to use your computer.

There isn’t even a CD or anything. I’m at a loss. I was going to put W7 on it anyway, so that might be the best solution after al.

#7

So, in the process of trying to fix my own issues, I’ve learned that my system apparently has a password reset jumper on the motherboard itself. Maybe that’s applicable here?

#8

That’s for the BIOS’ password.

#9

Actually, on most new systems that button doesn’t even erase the BIOS password (for security reasons)

it just erases the time, date and boot settings

I need to know more about the laptop to tell you which button to spam during POST to get into BIOS/UEFI menu.

#10

F2 apparantly

I guess I’ll just install W7. Get files off with a livecd first
or i guess i coud do that through cmd

#11

If it came with 8 it’d prolly perform better with that piece of shit. But it’s your call.

You CAN do a factory reset on the laptop. I wouldn’t know how to do that since I don’t know the model though. There’s a few steps you need to run through.

#12

It’s a Dell laptop, don’t know the model number, I’d have to ask my sister for documentation or somethign. I don’t see anything anywhere which could lead to a reset or anything, and there’s no CD.

But I can’t imagine it going any slower with W7. THere were all these programs running in background like smartscreen filter and del backup and recovery (which prompted me every few days… annoying as hell too, no option NOT to do it)

#13

Laptops are made for specific specs is all I’m saying. I have a shitty dual core laptop I use for notes and stuff at school. It CAME with Windows Vista (another piece of shit) and then I upgraded it to 7 on my spare time and had a key available. Runs just fine.

“downgrading” (considering it’s a FAR better OS than Win 8 - it’d be an upgrade) to Windows 7 could be done.

#14

Hmmm… apparanty the primary partition is in a GPT partition or something, I’m a bit hesistant to mess with that since it’s not my own laptop.

What will be the effect if I format it to NTFS? Will the UEFI partitioning break down?

edit: hahaha shit, you need to login to use the cmd from W8’s recovery thing.
can’t do it from the W7 cd. Ugh, guess I’ll need to make a livecd.

#15

That computer hates you doesn’t it? lol I’m sorry, I can’t help but laugh at this atm.

Try this: https://en.kioskea.net/faq/4189-dell-laptops-restore-factory-settings

I don’t know if it has a second account with admin privileges that ISN’T passworded…

#16

Thanks, but I think all of it requires you to login, and there’s no way to switch accounts :frowning:
And problem is, there’s some files on there I need. So I need to be abe to access them first, whatever I do.

#17

If you got a Windows 7, stick with it.

If you use Windows 8.1, there’s no point downgrading back to Windows 7.

I had to change my computer because my last one stood on its last foot until it decided to not start anymore.

I am far more satisfied with Windows 8.1 than Windows 7.

#18

You could try taking out the HDD, putting it in an external holder, and hooking it up to another PC. Might let you access the files you need.

#19

That would be my suggestion as well.

It also occurs to me, have you tried disconnecting it from the Internet and seeing if it has an offline more or something?

#20

I made a bootable USB stick with ubuntu, just copied the files to my external HDD.
Which is kind of ironic. This moronic “security measure” isn’t secure at all.

Yeah, it just tries to login with the “last used” password (which is none).

Aaahh wtf, nothing happens when I click format. I’ll try it through Ubuntu I guess.
Edit: nevermind, I deleted all the recovery partitions and stuff, guess I don’t need it.

Sorry for the shitposting btw, I’m pretty much just venting here.
And thanks for the help!

I really hope there won’t be any driver issues or anything.

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