Lenovo ThinkCentre 3000 series help

[FrankRamiro]

Hi guys; How are you all in this great Community,it´s my first post:

Ok my problem is, someone gave me a Lenovo ThinkCentre 3000 series desktop PC that was dead, i was able to repair the power supply,then restarted it and it takes me to windows logo Name and Password, so i don't have name and password, then i went to the person that gave me the Dead PC and asked the name and password,but the person said that didn't know it cause PC was not theirs,
so i tried to go in the Bios set up but there is also a password to change some of the most important items on it, there is a sticker on the PC box with the key i assume that is the OP system install.
Also it came from the factory with windows 7 installed that's what is in the sticker on the box,
But the person that owned the PC downgraded it from Win7 to WindowsXP that's what i see when i start the PC there is the WinXP Logo
and Name And Password request. I'd hate to thought out a working machine and wouldn't want to spend any money on it.
Anybody out there can help me on this one i would appreciate very

 

[evti]

Here are a few suggestions: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/com...-forgotten-windows-xp-administrator-password/

I have personally used the Knoppix method with success, so start with that one.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Here are a few suggestions: http://www.online-tech-tips.com/com...-forgotten-windows-xp-administrator-password/

I have personally used the Knoppix method with success, so start with that one.

Thanks evti; it seem not see the cd solftware upon rebooting,do i need to change something in the Bios Utility to be able use the Boot cd?

 

[evti]

Yes, you likely have to go in and make sure "boot from disk" is listed first in the boot order.

 

[Matt1970]

If you have a COA then blow away XP and install 7. That COA should work just fine with the correct version download from here http://www.mydigitallife.info/windo...links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/
100% legal. Check to see if the previous owner left the recovery partition intact first. I believe with Lenovo/IBM you hit F11 when it first starts to access it.

 

[FrankRamiro]

If you have a COA then blow away XP and install 7. That COA should work just fine with the correct version download from here http://www.mydigitallife.info/windo...links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/
100% legal. Check to see if the previous owner left the recovery partition intact first. I believe with Lenovo/IBM you hit F11 when it first starts to access it.

Hi Matt1970 thanks; i don't know what is DOA!
when i hit F11 when it starts is nothing,if i press f12 or enter i can go to Bios Setup. also i think it has partition 1 ,the previous owner wiped out the Win7 and Installed WinXP,
now it gets stuck on

SAFE MODE
SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING
SAFE MODE PROMPT
START WITH LAST KNOWN CONFIGURATION
START MORMALY

if i hit any of the SAFE MODE, i get some like this =Multi Disc (0)disc1
Partion1 windows system 32 it´s so fast that no time to reed the rest and goes back to safe mode start normal menu, i can see the xp log upon booting for a sec and it goes back.


the other day i was tepering with the bios set up and i could take it as far as WinXP logo NAME AND PASSWORD i forgot what i changed in the Bios set up to be able to boot as far as the winxp logo,even thought is no use cause can't pass the Name and password.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Hi guys hope your patient with me I'm not very savvy with software and computers,
i have good news i was able to take it to WINXP LOGO,NAME AND PASSWORD by going to BIOS UTILITY SET UP and Change HD to IDE instead of AHCI that was there and voila it started up to WinXP Logo and Password,
now do you think that i can use the Linux Password cracker? is there any free one out there i can use please point me to it thanks in advance.

 

[evti]

Do you have access to another computer to create the Knoppix password cracking disc? If you do, and you create it, you must boot the Win XP computer using that disc, and then that's how you use it.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Do you have access to another computer to create the Knoppix password cracking disc? If you do, and you create it, you must boot the Win XP computer using that disc, and then that's how you use it.

Thanks evti; i did not try that one but i tried this one in the link bellow
i boot from the Cd follow instructions like it shows in the Youtube video, and did not work for me,
It say something like this (Can't find Sam Files)
i think this one has extra encryption, no wonder why i have to hit keyboard keys - CTRL-ALT-DELETE -before NAME and PASSWORD,I've never seen this way ,normally we do it to shutdown the PC.
i would hate to spend money on a program and no can do, is this Knoppix free?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MoxHN7NqI0&feature=related

 

[FrankRamiro]

HI guys ; i gave up on resetting password and went a head and downloaded the Win7 home premium mirror ISO and i deleted the WinXP.
Now need some assistance from here on i need all drivers necessary to make it work i have the win 7key on the box,hope it will be activated,thanks in advance.

 

[Matt1970]

The Lenovo website should have everything you need. The 3000 is not the real model number, that is more of a series number. It should be on a tag on the PC. If you can get it on the net they have an auto-detect for drivers but I have never really used it before.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/research/hints-or-tips/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=TCTR-MATRIX

 

[FrankRamiro]

The Lenovo website should have everything you need. The 3000 is not the real model number, that is more of a series number. It should be on a tag on the PC. If you can get it on the net they have an auto-detect for drivers but I have never really used it before.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/research/hints-or-tips/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=TCTR-MATRIX

Thank you Matt1970;i 'm trying to get the Internet card drivers but it gets me a message when i try to get in the download session (stackoverflow at line1,and then (stack overfow aline 983) and higher # as i insist.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Thanks guys i was able to get this Lenovo desktop up and running,
strange is that i was not asked any key and i did some downloads from Microsoft Windows,like installing Windows Essentials 2012 ans some upgrades,hope no bill comes to my door.i appreciate all your help.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Hi guys;just want to ask something please answer!

when i download the win7Iso to get it to reconise my key,do i have to get the same win7iso as it's in the box that was installed from factory?
for example on the box is Win7Pro and i install win7home premium does it reconise it the same way? thanks in advance.

 

[evti]

Hi guys;just want to ask something please answer!

when i download the win7Iso to get it to reconise my key,do i have to get the same win7iso as it's in the box that was installed from factory?
for example on the box is Win7Pro and i install win7home premium does it reconise it the same way? thanks in advance.

There are different keys for different products. It likely won't accept a key from a different product. You should install Win7 Pro anyway if that's what the key is for since it has more features than Win 7 Home Premium.

 

[FrankRamiro]

There are different keys for different products. It likely won't accept a key from a different product. You should install Win7 Pro anyway if that's what the key is for since it has more features than Win 7 Home Premium.

Thanks evit; i did reinstall Win7pro still no accept,it says it's not genuine giving the #, also says i have 30 days to activate,the Win win7 pro works ok except when i shut down it freezes and have to disconnect the plug for it to restart.

 

[Matt1970]

Look at your number carefully. The 8 and B look a lot alike as well as V and Y.