how remove pwl file?

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~Mike Hollywood - 23 Apr 2007 01:45 GMT

Hi,
I met a women at a party tonight who loaned her win98 system to friend's and
they accidentally entered a password which they forgot, so now they can't
get the system to boot ecause they can't get by the password screen. I
looked it up on google, etc., and it said to remove the .pwl file or files.
So what do you do? Use a boot disk, and try a delete command at the dos
prompt? It said it was in the windows directory, so can anybody tell me the
proper dos command to put in at the A prompt? Of course, if there is an
easier way to do this, I'd much appreciate hearing about it.
Thanks,
Mike

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glee - 23 Apr 2007 02:39 GMT

Hi Mike,

If it is a Windows password, it will be at the Windows log-on prompt, and you can
click Cancel, instead of typing the password and clicking OK. Then you can use the
procedure here=>
How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=152104

However, what you describe may be a BIOS password, if it occurs before Windows ever
starts or the Windows splash screen ever appears, while the computer is first
booting. If that is the case, the CMOS will have to be cleared either by using a
particular jumper on the motherboard while the computer is off, or by removing the
CMOS battery from the motherboard for a period of time (also with the computer off
and unplugged).
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm

Please determine which password prompt is being seen, at exactly what point during
the computer startup.

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> Hi,
> I met a women at a party tonight who loaned her win98 system to friend's and they
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike

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Ron Badour - 23 Apr 2007 02:41 GMT

Press the cancel key (or OK) when it asks for a password and the system will
boot. Then delete the .pwl file

Signature

Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

> Hi,
> I met a women at a party tonight who loaned her win98 system to friend's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike

Reply to this Message

gram - 26 Apr 2007 15:19 GMT

> Press the cancel key (or OK) when it asks for a password and the system will
> boot. Then delete the .pwl file
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98

if its that simple, why the heck is it that this type of question can last
for threads and threads.
also, you forgot to mention if a person should re-boot after deleting
the .pwl file ron.

Reply to this Message

glee - 26 Apr 2007 19:36 GMT

>> Press the cancel key (or OK) when it asks for a password and the system
> will
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> also, you forgot to mention if a person should re-boot after deleting
> the .pwl file ron.

Restart the computer after deleting the .pwl files.
Also, read here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=152104

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Reply to this Message

Ron Badour - 26 Apr 2007 22:51 GMT

There is no need to immediately reboot. On the next boot or reboot, the
password screen will appear and a new password (or a blank one) can be set.

Signature

Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

Reply to this Message

~Mike Hollywood - 23 Apr 2007 20:15 GMT

hi,
thanks for the info. the pc is still in miami. when it gets back here i'll
try your seggesionts and then post letting you know how I made out.
Thanks a lot.
mike.

> Hi,hi,

> I met a women at a party tonight who loaned her win98 system to friend's
> and they accidentally entered a password which they forgot, so now they
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> Mike

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