win98 login password lost

Once in a while I'm given a computer to clean up, sometimes parents bring
in their childs computer to remove things that don't belong on them, I have
been given the task of doing a clean up job on a win98, however it's
password protected at the login screen.

Is there anyway of bypassing it, otherwise Ive been told to format the HD
and start from scratch.

How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at
Startup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=152104
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

WinXP SP2: What's New for Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/s...eoverview.mspx

What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...ssoftware.mspx

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

Howard wrote:
Once in a while I'm given a computer to clean up, sometimes parents bring
in their childs computer to remove things that don't belong on them, I
have
been given the task of doing a clean up job on a win98, however it's
password protected at the login screen.

Is there anyway of bypassing it, otherwise Ive been told to format the HD
and start from scratch.

Not true. Click the cancel button to get in, do a find on: *.pwl and
delete it when found. Note the user name of the file (mine is ron.pwl).
Reboot and when the password screen appears, enter the same user name and a
new password. If you don't want the password screen to appear, set a blank
password.

Blank Password: Go to control panel, network, primary network logon and
select Windows Logon. Go to control panel, passwords, user profiles and
ensure the "all user's" box is marked. If you have a password established,
go to control panel, passwords, change windows password, type the password
in the old box, leave the rest blank and OK your way out. If you have
forgotten your password, delete the .pwl file with your user name (mine is
ron.pwl); however, be aware that you will lose all passwords stored in the
..pwl file. If you do not have a password established or have deleted the
..pwl file, when the W95/98 logon screen appears at boot, type a user name
only and hit OK. If the logon screen continues to appear and you have Tweak
UI installed, go to the Paranoia tab and remove the mark from "clear last
user."


--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"Howard" wrote in message
4...
Once in a while I'm given a computer to clean up, sometimes parents bring
in their childs computer to remove things that don't belong on them, I
have
been given the task of doing a clean up job on a win98, however it's
password protected at the login screen.

Is there anyway of bypassing it, otherwise Ive been told to format the HD
and start from scratch.