[SOLVED] Dell 1737, Forgotten password + Startup problem

[GermanTourist]

I have a Dell Studio 1737 with Windows Vista that I am having trouble accessing. I am trying to get it working again or retrieve the pictures etc. that are saved on it. It is no longer under warranty. It was also sitting unplugged for the past 7 years.

There are two problems:
-Windows is unable to start correctly and I end up with a white screen with Startup Repair (which cannot fix the problem.)
-The owner of the laptop doesn't remember the password.

I have all the CDs that it came with.

Is there any way to copy the pictures and other files from the computer?
Is there a way to change the password with the computer in this state?

Thanks for any advice.

Here's what I've tried so far:
Windows Loading Screen > Automatically goes to Startup Repair > Startup Repair cannot repair the computer > View Advanced Options > Requires password (I don't have the password) > Cancel/Restart

F12 (Boot Options) > Boot from CD drive (With Windows installation disk ) >Windows Loading Screen > Automatically goes to Startup Repair

F8 > Safe Mode > Automatically goes to Startup Repair

F8 > Last Known Good Configuration > Automatically goes to Startup Repair

 

[popatim]

Pull the drive and you can attach it via USB to a pc to begin recovering the data.
You'll need something like the blow if the drive is IDE
https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-SATA-IDE-Adapter-CB-ISA225-U3/dp/B01E7EPKUO

 

[GermanTourist]

Pull the drive and you can attach it via USB to a pc to begin recovering the data.
You'll need something like the blow if the drive is IDE
https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-SATA-IDE-Adapter-CB-ISA225-U3/dp/B01E7EPKUO

Thanks for the reply. What I ended up doing was using Linux on a flash drive and accessing the files through that.

 

[popatim]

Good option! I don't often suggest linux or bsd options since many users have no experience with it but they are powerful options.

 

[DSzymborski]

Glad to hear that this worked for you! We're unable to actually offer help with the password part, so it's good we didn't need to tread there to resolve the issue.