I have been given a HP compaq nx9005 with Windows 2000 to fix. The problem is the owner has lost the passwords. Is there a way of reseting the passwords outside of windows because obviously once Windows 2000 loads I cant get in.

If I got a hold of Windwos 2000 or say XP, would I just be able to reinstall the OS thus clearing the passwords? I did try installing Windows 98 from boot however nothing happened so I am worried if I get a Windows 2000 or XP CD that the same would happen and I would have wasted money.

[To Ad on Installing Windoes 98, when trying to use the floppy it says "Remove disks or other media, press key to restart"]

Any tips or ideas? I have not used Windows 2000 before so forgive me.

Anyone know anyway I could reformat the laptop somehow? Anything would be great. Thanks.

The only way to reset the main login password would be to reinstall the Operating System.

Any should work. I am not familiar with '98 but you may need to fdisk and then format the drive.

XP (and I believe 2K also) do their own formatting.