I just got this computer and when i turn it on it says that it needs a pass word for the user name john preto but it has a password hint or marvelous so how do i find out the pass word or change it since i just got it brand new
Posted a possible fix on the other entry.
As the Windows installation has obviously been used for safety I would recommend reloading if you have the wherewithal (disks, knowledge etc.) but you do not need to fit a new disk! Boot from the XP CD, select options to do a new installation. When you get to the list of partitions (there may only be one) delete them all to ensure the disk is clean and create a new one. If you don't have the driver disk download them from the Dell site.
It might be useful as well to look up the service tag of the PC on the Dell site as this would show when it was supplied and what warranty is on it.
You say you got it brand new, this cannot be since it would not have this username or password.
Find out from the store and make sure it is not a returned or refurbished unit
You could also try some other options...
Try booting into safe mode (hold F8 during boot up) choose the safe mode option. This should give you an option to log into the administrator account. Which hopefully is not password protected. If you can log in to that account you can remove all of the network and password settings for the computer under the "users" in the control panel settings. The other option would be to try a boot CD and change or extract the password in a utility. Try googling "boot CD" for this option, don't pay for anything though, there are plenty of free options. If neither of these works for you unfortunately fwadley is right, you'll need to re-install the OS.
Sounds like a network computer, only the person that had it knows, replace the hard drive. You will need to install windows, you can get windows xp off ebay
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