wvdale

Well, my computer has a Windows password.  And I don't need to use it to install a new OS.  A new OS can be installed from start-up before Windows has even been started.

The link I posted was for ways to remove the BIOS password.  Not the Windows password.  But you don't need to enter Windows to install a new OS and format the hard drive.

All you need to do is change the boot-order of the computer in BIOS.  Instead of booting from the hard drive where your OS is located, you simply change the settings in BIOS to boot the computer from the CD-ROM instead of the hard drive.  Put the Windows DVD in the  DVD-ROM drive.  Then restart the computer and follow the on-screen installation instructions when your prompted to install the new OS.  All of this occurs without needing to enter Windows or use your Windows password -- before you get to the "Windows is Now Starting" screen.

If a computer's BIOS has not been protected with a password, it is possible to do this using the simple steps described above.  However, if the BIOS has been protected with a password, a thief would be required to circumvent the BIOS password using the methods described in the link I posted previously.

This I've done this change boot-order procedure many times on my own computer when I need to reinstall the OS when it's time for a fresh install of Windoze -- and it's really not much of a secret -- so I have learned quite a lot, actually.   Just sayin'.

Are you saying that it's possible to setup a password, within Windows, that checks for a password upon BIOS startup -- before you enter a password at the Windows start screen?  Because I'd like to know that trick, it would be helpful to know.  Normally that is the job of the BIOS password -- to prevent someone from being able to enter the BIOS or reach the Windows start-up screen.

Laptops (as opposed to desktop PCs), especially these days, are much more secure and the techniques listed in that link might not work.  Laptops that are more than 4-5 years old, however, can generally be circumvented using the techniques outlined in that post.

Here's a link on that, which also says that a BIOS password is generally the best way to protect one's laptop:

http://www.laptoptip.../bios-password/

One cannot stop a thief from stealing your computer but you can stop them form getting your personal information out of the computer. What I recommended in my previous post was to password protect the BIOS and the windows system both.  You are correct about removing the battery to remove the password in the BIOS on some computers, but with the newer ones that technique doesn't work anymore.  With the newer computers you would have to change the BIOS chip to make the computer operational again which most thieves wouldn't know how to do. There are programs to break a windows password but I haven't seen anything to break a BIOS password.   I can break a windows password no matter how large or what combination of number and letters you use in less than 5 minutes. So a windows password will only stop a thief that isn't very computer literate

My laptop was stolen from my office yesterday, my HP pavillion that I have had only since March. We were in the office but in the back part, the  waiting room was vacant for about 10 mins.. It was in a closed cabinet in my desk.

I went to the MP to report it since we are urged to report crimes no matter how hopeless a resolution may be. They would not even let me make the report because they said I needed a translator. I am fluent in Spanish, I talked to them for half an hour, in Spanish, answered all their questions, told them I had made denuncios before when they were at the old location but noooooooo. A woman at one of the desks  tried to step up for me saying that I spoke Spanish very well but the dude in charge asked me where I was from (the U.S.) and he said I had to bring a translator.

They also told me that I had to bring a factura with my name on it but I do not have that, just a cash register reciept from Walmart with a stamp on the back.

By the way, I was the only person there...no one else was waiting.

I am not living in Mexico at this time but hope to sometime in the future.  I do work on a lot of computer and one piece of information I give to laptop owners as well as desktop computers owners, is to put a bootup password on your computer.  This way if the computer is stolen, no one can get into the computer.  Cannot get pass the boot up sequence.  The computer will be no good to anyone that doesn't know the password.  The computer will most likely end up for sale at some yard sale or trashed without any of your information getting into he wrong hands. When the computer boots up just enter the BIOS setup and go to security and enter a unique bootup password and administrator password and save. Now everytime you start the computer you will have to enter your password before the computer will do anything.  Also enter a windows password so even if the hard drive is removed it would be of little use to anyone.

My laptop was stolen from my office yesterday, my HP pavillion that I have had only since March. We were in the office but in the back part, the  waiting room was vacant for about 10 mins.. It was in a closed cabinet in my desk.

I went to the MP to report it since we are urged to report crimes no matter how hopeless a resolution may be. They would not even let me make the report because they said I needed a translator. I am fluent in Spanish, I talked to them for half an hour, in Spanish, answered all their questions, told them I had made denuncios before when they were at the old location but noooooooo. A woman at one of the desks  tried to step up for me saying that I spoke Spanish very well but the dude in charge asked me where I was from (the U.S.) and he said I had to bring a translator.

They also told me that I had to bring a factura with my name on it but I do not have that, just a cash register reciept from Walmart with a stamp on the back.

By the way, I was the only person there...no one else was waiting.

I am not living in Mexico at this time but hope to sometime in the future.  I do work on a lot of computer and one piece of information I give to laptop owners as well as desktop computers owners, is to put a bootup password on your computer.  This way if the computer is stolen, no one can get into the computer.  Cannot get pass the boot up sequence.  The computer will be no good to anyone that doesn't know the password.  The computer will most likely end up for sale at some yard sale or trashed without any of your information getting into he wrong hands. When the computer boots up just enter the BIOS setup and go to security and enter a unique bootup password and administrator password and save. Now everytime you start the computer you will have to enter your password before the computer will do anything.  Also enter a windows password so even if the hard drive is removed it would be of little use to anyone.