Is XP Software Universal......

biffo

biffo

biffo

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Merseyside
Sounds a straightforward question but here's the sting. I made a mess of a friends Laptop in Germany and the thing is password locked out. If I buy a new copy of XP perhaps OEM and a new hard drive can I work round the lockout by me installing in English and they using it in there native tongue German. The manufacturer can't help or won't help and techies there advise a new laptop. I know all the microsoft software is equiped with different languages but is it totally dedicated or is copies released in each country unique. Thanks in anticipation
 
You download the language packs, generally the CDs will come with a a load of language packs and you install the one you need when installing for the first time. The CD then contains all teh ohter languages if you ever need them.
 
That seems how I viewed it surprised about the German techies opinion. I am somewhat lost as my German is none existant and my friend speaks very good english hence the request. But technical language is another obstacle not every day conversation ~ cheers ~ Thats was my slip up in the first instance the person wasn't technically literate.
 
So what your saying, Beerbaron, a total fresh new install with a new copy will negotiate the lock out ?
 
Yes new hard disk format and partitions provided the english is there than but it back to German for my friend to enjoy
 
Have you tried logging into the admin account in safe mode before you start going to extreme lengths?

It is locked out and not just a forgotten password right?
 
What do you mean by 'locked out' - is it a Windows password, or a BIOS/system password?

If it's the Windows password, you don't need to reinstall - you just need to google for a password reset CD.

If it's the BIOS password, then even changing the hard drive won't help, as the password's not saved on the HD.
 
The password is locked out I might have inadvertantly gone the password route and not needed. The person whoes lap it is has forgotten the password so I was stuck, its a Medion. The XP O/S is stored on the hard drive and even the English Medion of my own had great difficulty with. Everything in German only utilities disc was supplied as far as I am aware. I am accustomed to a O/S disc for recovery or re-install. Medion seem to use a different technique off a partition on the hard drive. The language is the stumbling block ~ tried to use intuition but alas.....
 
So go to google look for password reset site and download ?? is that the solution? As far as I'm aware the bios password was not touched. Just the initial log on
 
If it's the windows password (you're not really clear on that) then:

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

And download the CD and boot from it - pretty much pressing enter all the way through it - there is one point where you have to press ! or something like that to unlock and clear the password.

No need to buy XP again for a locked password.



M.
 
If it is a Windows pw you can use a reset disk or if that doesn't do the trick try this: http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

Download the ISO, burn image to disk, boot laptop to CD and wait. Eventually (it takes a while) you'll have any logon password on the laptop. No need to reinstall
 
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