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    Lost password, should I just format c:/?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Ollollo, Oct 25, 2010.

  1. Ollollo

    Ollollo Notebook Consultant

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    Greetings!

    Today, for the first time, my X61s wanted me to log in to Win XP with a password or fingerprint. I have none of those. I have never "enrolled" a fingerprint, since I was scared I would mess up and render the PC unusable. Instead I have tried to shut the fingerprint reader off, but I was not successfull it seems.

    This PC has only one account, the admin, and I have it set up to not ask for a password. The former owner gave me a password, but i does not work.

    Now the question: Can I just format C:/ and reinstall Windows, or will the fingerprint reader pose problems in also in the new install? It stores finger print info in a separate chip that doesn't get wiped when I format the HDD, doesn't it?

    Thanks!
     
    Ollollo, Oct 25, 2010
    #1
  2. kobe_24

    kobe_24 Notebook Deity

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    I don't think we're allowed to answer questions regarding by passing security. But yes, you can reinstall windows if the password is just a windows password and you will not have any problems with the finger print reader. If it's a SVP, you're chit out of luck!
     
    kobe_24, Oct 25, 2010
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  3. Ollollo

    Ollollo Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks! I'm not too worried about Windows, I just want to be sure I wont have any problems with a new harddrive and OS. The BIOS is not protected with a password, so perhaps I can find a way to disable the fingerprint reader there. Scary stuff! :)

    Edit: BTW, what is a SVP?

    Cheers!
     
    Ollollo, Oct 25, 2010
    #3
  4. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Correct

    We don't talk about bypassing passwords here
    It's stated in the forum rules

    Posts have been edited / deleted



    Alex
     
    Alex, Oct 25, 2010
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  5. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    You can reformat it just fine. I think the reader is supposed to store some fingerprints, but when it's reformatted it will just write over that data. I've reformatted a couple times and I've had fingerprint data on the computer and it's never been a problem.
     
    jaakobi, Oct 25, 2010
    #5