Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop

Subject: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: G-Force
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 08:04 AM

Our laptop, running Windows 8, has always booted up straight away, no problem. Now, suddenly, when we switch on the first thing we get is a screen asking for a four-digit password. As far as we know we have never had to create a password, and we don't seem to be able to get past this screen (we've tried '0000' but that didn't work).

Anyone know how we get past this ? (someone told us we may have a virus, but we've no idea how). We're not very techie, but any comments will be gratefully considered.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,#
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 09:46 AM

Seeing's how you have computer access, why don't you try sending a personal message to Mr Red ? He knows about computer stuff and is a nice guy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:04 PM

How about calling the place where you bought it and asking if there's a generic password put onto computers before they go out the door.

Or contact Customer Support for the computer maker online.

Or do a computer search on:

[brand name] laptop default password.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 06:40 PM

As soon as you press the start button start pressing the F8 key and start it in safe mode. You may need to do a scan, run diagnostics, etc.

Safe Mode.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 08:36 PM

When all else fails....

Go to your local bookstore and purchase a magazine that includes a disk for Linux.

Installation is intuitive...ALL data files can be saved.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

< Idjet folks pay a high price for access.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 08:44 PM

A 4-digit password sounds a bit like what's happening on Windows 10, where they ask you to stop using your old Windows ID password and create a 4-digit PIN number. If 0000 didn't work, and you're sure you didn't enter anything else, try 1234 or 9999. If those don't work, follow the advice above, and good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 09:08 PM

What is the make and modèle?

On an HP Control/F5 during boot will give you BIOS accèss and permit you to boot from a disk or USB...or from a previous restore point.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle
you did make à recovery disk when you first started the machine...or recieved an OEM program disk with purchase? ? ?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: G-Force
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 06:45 AM

Thanks for all the help. We had to turn it over to the techies in the end, who stripped it clean and reloaded windows. If we'd had data on it we'd have lost it all, but we don't use it for that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: Stanron
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 05:24 PM

It's good to hear you got it fixed but gargoyle's advice about a rescue disk is still worth taking up. You should have one for Windows, you could ask your techie guy to sort you one out, or download a Linux system iso file and burn that to a DVD. That would save you the price of a Linux magazine.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 06:02 PM

"Help please - Frozen laptop"

I suppose the traditional folk rescue method would be to carefully defrost it near an open log fire
whilst all around merrily wassail the night away into drunken oblivion.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,G Force
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 03:50 AM

I just love that! Best answer yet.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 07:09 AM

I remember the days when we used to "merrily wassail the night away into drunken oblivion" without needing a &/%$#?@ computer.

But you try and tell the young people today that, and they won't believe you...

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: EBarnacle
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 01:25 PM

While you are doing things like making a rescue disk, don't forget to back up your data.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help please - Frozen laptop
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 31 Dec 15 - 02:16 PM

ok.. seeing as no one was offended, i'll own up...

GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 06:02 PM ...

that was me - forgot to type my name again...

I've packed in wassailing..

except for an annual binge at a summer folk festival...

and... errmmm.. tonight...

Better have enough sense to switch my computers off soon before things get too out of control.... 😜