Windows 8.1 password problems

[sorcerer]

Currently looking at a Compaq 15-A003SA and I need to get it into Safe Mode. The password to get into the machine from the normal lock screen is xyz and it allows access ok. Once in, going through the convoluted process to restart in Safe Mode gets me to a different screen that also asks for a password but keeps saying that the xyz used earlier is incorrect.

I've spoken to the owner who says that xyz is the only password he's ever set (that he can remember) and hasn't got any idea what it could be.

How do I get past this and into Safe Mode please? Why oh why did they ever change from F8?????

 

[SIBIT]

Have you tried a external keyboard?

Ive had a weird issue like this before and it was the keyboard malfunctioning as well as it being full of malware.

Plugged a external keyboard in cleaned it all up and then tried the on board keyboard and it worked fine after the virus removals.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Microsoft account or local account?

 

[sorcerer]

Microsoft account or local account?

Local account - sorry

 

[sorcerer]

Have you tried a external keyboard?

Ive had a weird issue like this before and it was the keyboard malfunctioning as well as it being full of malware.

Plugged a external keyboard in cleaned it all up and then tried the on board keyboard and it worked fine after the virus removals.

Tried - but no joy. Thanks anyway though.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Use this routine to gain Admin access to the PC.

https://4sysops.com/archives/offline-enable-the-windows-8-built-in-administrator-account/

 

[sorcerer]

Use this routine to gain Admin access to the PC.

https://4sysops.com/archives/offline-enable-the-windows-8-built-in-administrator-account/

Thanks, will do.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Good advice from nline there. I will say I've also successfully used parted magic and their password program to do this before also. If you need to do it, you need to disable the secureboot/uefi in the bios, boot from parted magic, and run their password reset utility which should give you the needed options. Reboot, and re-enable the bios settings and it should let you in. For that matter though, you should be able to simply break the password since it's a local account using that tool and be able to get in. I had to enable the admin account because the one I was working on had MS accounts.

Also googled and found this which looks useful.

http://www.kmil.us/blog/2012/12/19/windows-8-password-recovery-on-systems-with-secure-boot/

 

[PaulJD]

When you get to the safe mode password is the username the same? There's a dropdown menu.