Another computer question...

[Scott Douglas]

from this wannabe geek.
I've been given an old Dell Inspiron 620 computer by a neighbor. I've cleaned out a lot of files and it's running pretty quick. Win 7 i5 2320 machine w/6GB of RAM. Nothing fancy but it does have a 1tb drive in it.

What I'm trying to do is get it set up so it'll run stand alone so I can take it up to my brother's new place and hook it up to his TV so we can watch movies on the DVD player. He doesn't have anything hooked up internet wise or tv cable wise either.

My question is this. I've downloaded the instruction/repair manual from Dell and it says to reset the system password you need to change a jumper on the mother board.
I can do that, no problem, but, is that going to reset the Windows password that my neighbor put in when he first got this computer?

Or is the system password something to do with the BIOS settings etc?

I'd like to be able to rename the computer and drive (which I've already done) so there's no mention of the previous owner.

Thanks for any help on this.

[id10t]

You should really just wipe and reinstall Windows. You have a license so you just need the Dell install disk. Think you can get it from their support for a few dollars via mail, it should have all drivers needed, etc.

[Scott Douglas]

We're trying to do this on the really cheap, but thanks for the reply.

[VincentVega]

No, there is no real hw integration with windows, if I understand what you are asking.

The install disk as mentioned is the cheap way to do this, baring installing a different OS.

If you just want to watch dvd's buy a cheap dvd player.

[stomachmonkey]

Yes it’s a BIOS password reset.

I’d check to see if it’s not still the default password it shipped with.

I’d toss PLEX on it and turn it into a proper media server.

Rent DVDs (not Blu-ray) from Redbox and install MakeMKV so he can build a library of movies.

Add an OTA antennae in the mix and he will end up with something pretty close to a cable tv experience.

[spuggy]

The "System" password is a BIOS-level password. Boot the machine and press F2 (usually) early in the boot sequence to go into setup. If you can boot without being prompted for a password before the OS loads and see/access all the BIOS setttings in Setup, there is no password set in the BIOS and there is no need to set a jumper to clear the NVRAM and make it forget it.

Resetting any BIOS password(s) will make no difference to any OS passwords (although resetting a drive encryption password, if set, would basically scramble the drive and require you to re-install the OS).

Not all Dells come with reinstallation/recovery media. The cheaper models, especially, tend not to (it's a $20 option). But it probably has a recovery partition on the machine from the factory. Pretty sure you can boot/reinstall/repair/reset to factory defaults from this. https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln288623/what-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-windows-7?lang=en

The easiest way - especially if the reocvery partition isn't there or usuable - or someone replaced the drive - is to buy the Dell media. It's a few bucks, and the correct one for the machine will come with all the correct drivers for that hardware pre-loaded. https://www.pctechbytes.com/dell/order-recovery-disks-from-dell/. Sometimes available on Ebay for about the same money as a coffee. Or ask the original owner; he might still have them.

If the case still has the Windoze COA sticker on it, you have a Dell OEM Windows license. Download a generic Win 7 ISO compatible with license (Home, Professional etc). These images are still hosted by Microsoft/available from their web site. Use the key from the COA when prompted to license it after installation.

Then, for best results, go through and install the Dell chipset/network/audio/graphics/everything else drivers. Freely downloadable from Dell, together with service/owners manual etc.

[Scott Douglas]

I've got it running fine and no password needed to boot it either. No user's have a password either so I think we're home free.
Thanks for the help guys.

[sammyg2]

Glad you got it all sorted, I was going to suggest banging it real hard with your fist.