How do i COMLETELY restart my laptop?

Question

So, I have my own Compaq laptop. When you first turn on the computer, there is a user. I forgot my user password. So, i need a way to COMPLETELY restart my WHOLE laptop?

I need an easy explanation as of to how i do this.

Answer 1

Formating and reinstalling is always a last resort.  If you are original owner and only user on the laptop the odds are you haven't set up the Administrator account past default, which means it isn't password protected.

If you are running WinXP boot the computer and when it gets to the log in screen hit Ctrl + Alt + Del twice, this will bring up the log in prompt (not the click on name prompt)

in the username box type: Administrator leave password blank and hit enter.

This should log you in to the admin account, when you can go to the control panel, and reset the other accounts password.

If the Admin account has a password on it you wil then need to remove the SAM file or reset the password another way.

These are risky, so be careful if you need them: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-reset-recove...

Answer 2

Grab Windows install/recovery disc

Insert into drive

Restart laptop

Boot onto disc

Reinstall Windows when the menu loads