If you can remember windows 3.1 question

dumbstudent2002.DeleteThis@yahoo.com (dhzfzdhf) wrote in message news:<4027c0b9.16546812.DeleteThis@news-server.rgv.rr.com>...
 > I recently had a laptop dumped in my lap that has windows 3.1 on it.
 > (Yea, i know it's old and if it were up to me I'd chuck it in file 13,
 > but the elderly gentleman that has it asked me to bypass the password
 > on it.
 > I remember on windows 95 and 98 how to delete the password (for those
 > that don't know, I ain't gonna say. But it ain't that hard) anyway, I
 > can get into DOS but my DOS is rusty at best!
 >
 > If anyone can remember, could ya tell me which file i need to hunt up
 > to alter the password?
 >
 > It is not .pwl file or did I overlook it??
 > Slower

I think that is is in a file ending with .PWD in the Windows directory.

Charlie<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

tried that... although it has been so long since i've edited an
autoexec file i forgot the rem command to remark.
I am currently learning c++ , and my memory can only be so full

slower

On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 17:01:05 -0600, "philo" <philo.RemoveThis@privacy.net> wrote:

 >
 >"dhzfzdhf" <dumbstudent2002.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
 >news:4027c0b9.16546812@news-server.rgv.rr.com...
  >> I recently had a laptop dumped in my lap that has windows 3.1 on it.
  >> (Yea, i know it's old and if it were up to me I'd chuck it in file 13,
  >> but the elderly gentleman that has it asked me to bypass the password
  >> on it.
  >> I remember on windows 95 and 98 how to delete the password (for those
  >> that don't know, I ain't gonna say. But it ain't that hard) anyway, I
  >> can get into DOS but my DOS is rusty at best!
  >>
  >> If anyone can remember, could ya tell me which file i need to hunt up
  >> to alter the password?
  >>
  >> It is not .pwl file or did I overlook it??
  >> Slower
 >
 >
 >maybe the machine has some kind of password program on it
 >
 >from the C: prompt try this
 >
 >
 >edit autoexec.bat
 >
 >
 >look and see if there is some kind of password program
 >listed then type rem (with a space) in front of that entry
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

"Charlie" <n7re DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3af48d0f.0402090723.3f27340b@posting.google.com...
 > dumbstudent2002 DeleteThis @yahoo.com (dhzfzdhf) wrote in message
news:<4027c0b9.16546812 DeleteThis @news-server.rgv.rr.com>...
  > > I recently had a laptop dumped in my lap that has windows 3.1 on it.
  > > (Yea, i know it's old and if it were up to me I'd chuck it in file 13,
  > > but the elderly gentleman that has it asked me to bypass the password
  > > on it.
  > > I remember on windows 95 and 98 how to delete the password (for those
  > > that don't know, I ain't gonna say. But it ain't that hard) anyway, I
  > > can get into DOS but my DOS is rusty at best!
  > >
  > > If anyone can remember, could ya tell me which file i need to hunt up
  > > to alter the password?
  > >
  > > It is not .pwl file or did I overlook it??
  > > Slower
 >
 > I think that is is in a file ending with .PWD in the Windows directory.
 >
 > Charlie

Indeed, something like [username].pwd ........ nowhere near as complicated
as xp etc. Just delete this file & you will be able to create a new one on
next logon. Only remember coz one of my first jobs was to manage a network
installe of Win3.1 - HELL. JonMaC<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

dumbstudent2002 RemoveThis @yahoo.com (dhzfzdhf) wrote in message news:<4027c0b9.16546812 RemoveThis @news-server.rgv.rr.com>...
 > I recently had a laptop dumped in my lap that has windows 3.1 on it.
 > (Yea, i know it's old and if it were up to me I'd chuck it in file 13,
 > but the elderly gentleman that has it asked me to bypass the password
 > on it.
 > I remember on windows 95 and 98 how to delete the password (for those
 > that don't know, I ain't gonna say. But it ain't that hard) anyway, I
 > can get into DOS but my DOS is rusty at best!
 >
 > If anyone can remember, could ya tell me which file i need to hunt up
 > to alter the password?
 >
 > It is not .pwl file or did I overlook it??
 > Slower
I don't think Win 3.1 had passwords other than indirectly by having
the screensaver start at windows start. Windows for Workgroups I
think had a username and password.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

Hello:
As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
You can get rid of that by going into the BIOS and disabling the
password thinger. That is usually under the security options. Another
approach is to simply reset the BIOS.

regards,
bruce

--
The PC Guy
Serving the Computer impaired in Northern Indiana
Pierceton, IN USA
E-mail: brucevd<at>michiana<dot>org
"jamotto" <none1101 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e23125b0.0402092310.7d641f8f@posting.google.com...
 > dumbstudent2002 RemoveThis @yahoo.com (dhzfzdhf) wrote in message
news:<4027c0b9.16546812 RemoveThis @news-server.rgv.rr.com>...
  > > I recently had a laptop dumped in my lap that has windows 3.1 on it.
  > > (Yea, i know it's old and if it were up to me I'd chuck it in file 13,
  > > but the elderly gentleman that has it asked me to bypass the password
  > > on it.
  > > I remember on windows 95 and 98 how to delete the password (for those
  > > that don't know, I ain't gonna say. But it ain't that hard) anyway, I
  > > can get into DOS but my DOS is rusty at best!
  > >
  > > If anyone can remember, could ya tell me which file i need to hunt up
  > > to alter the password?
  > >
  > > It is not .pwl file or did I overlook it??
  > > Slower
 > I don't think Win 3.1 had passwords other than indirectly by having
 > the screensaver start at windows start. Windows for Workgroups I
 > think had a username and password.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
<brucevd.DeleteThis@michiana.org> wrote:

 > As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
 >on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
 >computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
 >Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.

I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
options.

Geo<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me DeleteThis @home.here wrote:

 >On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
 ><brucevd DeleteThis @michiana.org> wrote:
 >
  >> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
  >>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
  >>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
  >>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
 >
 > I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
 >options.
 >
 > Geo

IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

I believe it is a bios setting now think about it as windows hasn't
loaded yet, when it boots it comes to an option screen,
1. windows
2. wordperfect
3. next program
4.etc
5.dos

all are password protected, which reading the suggestions leads me to
think bios also. I'll dig into it this weekend and post the result
Slower




On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
<classicsat RemoveThis @yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:

 >On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me RemoveThis @home.here wrote:
 >
  >>On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
  >><brucevd RemoveThis @michiana.org> wrote:
  >>
   >>> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
   >>>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
   >>>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
   >>>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
  >>
  >> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
  >>options.
  >>
  >> Geo
 >
 >IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

dumbstudent2002 DeleteThis @yahoo.com (slower) wrote in message news:<402b0322.302375 DeleteThis @news-server.rgv.rr.com>...
 > I believe it is a bios setting now think about it as windows hasn't
 > loaded yet, when it boots it comes to an option screen,
 > 1. windows
 > 2. wordperfect
 > 3. next program
 > 4.etc
 > 5.dos
 >
 > all are password protected, which reading the suggestions leads me to
 > think bios also. I'll dig into it this weekend and post the result
 > Slower
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
 > <classicsat DeleteThis @yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:
 >
  > >On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me DeleteThis @home.here wrote:
  > >
   > >>On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
   > >><brucevd DeleteThis @michiana.org> wrote:
   > >>
   > >>> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
   > >>>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
   > >>>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
   > >>>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
   > >>
   > >> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
   > >>options.
   > >>
   > >> Geo
  > >
  > >IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.
Does not sound like a BIOS password. The BIOS password can either
prevent you from running the BIOS setup or prevent you from booting up
the computer. It sounds like you are dealing with a 3rd party
security program. I'd look at the autoexec.bat and config.sys and
maybe the msdos.sys file's again looking for the program It should be
located at the very beginning of the autoexec.bat and/or config.sys
file. If the message appears just before windows loads then look at
the win.ini file and the lines starting with "load=" and "run=". The
program could as already mentioned reside in the boot sector in that
case if the data on the drive is not important running fdisk.exe \mbr
(I think that is the right switch) will rewrite the bootsector and
hopefully
erase the program otherwise a low level format should definitely do
the trick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

Don't recall any sort of BIOS password that did anything but protect the BIOS.

Back then Windows was more of a program than an OS.
I used to run it from DesqView in a "window".
Your text you are getting could very well be a tricky autoexec.bat tho....

Once upon a time I ran a password program that ran from the boot sector IIRC.
You couldn't access the disk without the password.
I suppose if worst came to worst (doesn't it always?) you could splice a different
drive into the system, put in some sort of bootable OS and try to access the first
drive data. If you could copy the drive contents you could LL format the drive,
repartition it, high level format it, copy the data back over and you'd be off and running.

Alternatively you could boot from a Knoppix CD and see if you could access the
drive data. Either method wouldn't involve the boot sector of the drive tho Knoppix
will be begging you for a swap file.,,


On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 02:40:30 GMT, dumbstudent2002.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com (slower) wrote:

 >I believe it is a bios setting now think about it as windows hasn't
 >loaded yet, when it boots it comes to an option screen,
 >1. windows
 >2. wordperfect
 >3. next program
 >4.etc
 >5.dos
 >
 >all are password protected, which reading the suggestions leads me to
 >think bios also. I'll dig into it this weekend and post the result
 >Slower
 >
 >
 >On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
 ><classicsat.TakeThisOut@yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:
 >
  >>On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me.TakeThisOut@home.here wrote:
  >>
   >>>On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
   >>><brucevd.TakeThisOut@michiana.org> wrote:
   >>>
   >>>> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer was
   >>>>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
   >>>>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather than a
   >>>>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
   >>>
   >>> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
   >>>options.
   >>>
   >>> Geo
  >>
  >>IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.
 >

~~~~~~
Bait for spammers:
root@localhost
postmaster@localhost
admin@localhost
abuse@localhost
postmaster@[127.0.0.1]
uce.TakeThisOut@ftc.gov
~~~~~~
Remove "spamless" to email me.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
<classicsat.RemoveThis@yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:

  >> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
  >>options.
 >
 >IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.

Screensaver yes (3 options and blank), password no.

Because it was a shell for DOS one could press F8 when booting to
confirm each command of the configuration.

Geo<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

I'm willing to bet what you're seeing is either a menu type batch file that
is part of the autoexec.bat file, or a third-party menu program.

Back in the early days when Windows first came out, Wordperfect was a DOS
program. What you're seeing is a menu that gives you the option of running
Windows, or running Wordperfect, probably the DOS version.

If the password was a bios password, it would prompt you for th epassword
long before this menu is displayed on the screen.

The simplest thing to do, is to boot from a DOS floppy, then at the A:\
prompt, type in C:\ to change to the HD, and display a directory using dir.

You are looking for a file called autoexec.bat

If you find it, you can take a look at it to see what it contains, or if you
want to bypass it , rename it to something else like autoexec.old

Reboot the system (take the floppy out), and see if the system boots to a C:
prompt. If it does, then the menu is either part of the autoexec.bat file,
or a line in the autoexec.bat file runs the third party menu system.

If you get to the C: prompt, you should be able to change to the windows
directory using cd\windows.

Once you're in the C:\windows directory, start windows by typing in WIN and
hitting enter.

If you can then get into windows, you've just demonstrated that the password
you are being prompted for is not part of windows.


"slower" <dumbstudent2002 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:402b0322.302375@news-server.rgv.rr.com...
 > I believe it is a bios setting now think about it as windows hasn't
 > loaded yet, when it boots it comes to an option screen,
 > 1. windows
 > 2. wordperfect
 > 3. next program
 > 4.etc
 > 5.dos
 >
 > all are password protected, which reading the suggestions leads me to
 > think bios also. I'll dig into it this weekend and post the result
 > Slower
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
 > <classicsat DeleteThis @yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:
 >
  > >On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me DeleteThis @home.here wrote:
  > >
   > >>On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
   > >><brucevd DeleteThis @michiana.org> wrote:
   > >>
   > >>> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer
was
   > >>>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
   > >>>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather
than a
   > >>>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
   > >>
   > >> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
   > >>options.
   > >>
   > >> Geo
  > >
  > >IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question 

tried this the other night c:\win

no such file



Slower


On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 20:28:15 -0500, "Timothy Drouillard"
<timdrouillard RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote:

 >I'm willing to bet what you're seeing is either a menu type batch file that
 >is part of the autoexec.bat file, or a third-party menu program.
 >
 >Back in the early days when Windows first came out, Wordperfect was a DOS
 >program. What you're seeing is a menu that gives you the option of running
 >Windows, or running Wordperfect, probably the DOS version.
 >
 >If the password was a bios password, it would prompt you for th epassword
 >long before this menu is displayed on the screen.
 >
 >The simplest thing to do, is to boot from a DOS floppy, then at the A:\
 >prompt, type in C:\ to change to the HD, and display a directory using dir.
 >
 >You are looking for a file called autoexec.bat
 >
 >If you find it, you can take a look at it to see what it contains, or if you
 >want to bypass it , rename it to something else like autoexec.old
 >
 >Reboot the system (take the floppy out), and see if the system boots to a C:
 >prompt. If it does, then the menu is either part of the autoexec.bat file,
 >or a line in the autoexec.bat file runs the third party menu system.
 >
 >If you get to the C: prompt, you should be able to change to the windows
 >directory using cd\windows.
 >
 >Once you're in the C:\windows directory, start windows by typing in WIN and
 >hitting enter.
 >
 >If you can then get into windows, you've just demonstrated that the password
 >you are being prompted for is not part of windows.
 >
 >
 >"slower" <dumbstudent2002 RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
 >news:402b0322.302375@news-server.rgv.rr.com...
  >> I believe it is a bios setting now think about it as windows hasn't
  >> loaded yet, when it boots it comes to an option screen,
  >> 1. windows
  >> 2. wordperfect
  >> 3. next program
  >> 4.etc
  >> 5.dos
  >>
  >> all are password protected, which reading the suggestions leads me to
  >> think bios also. I'll dig into it this weekend and post the result
  >> Slower
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >> On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:05:50 -0500, Gary Tait
  >> <classicsat RemoveThis @yahoo.cominvalid> wrote:
  >>
   >> >On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:47:48 GMT, "GEO" Me RemoveThis @home.here wrote:
   >> >
   >> >>On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:47:17 -0800, "The PC Guy"
   >> >><brucevd RemoveThis @michiana.org> wrote:
   >> >>
   >> >>> As Jamotto said, Windows 3.1 did not use passwords. If the computer
 >was
   >> >>>on a network, it may be asking for a network password. I'd guess the
   >> >>>computer has a BIOS password. If the password prompt is text, rather
 >than a
   >> >>>Windows dialog, that is an indicator it is a BIOS password.
   >> >>
   >> >> I am still using Win 3.1, and no, it does not have any password
   >> >>options.
   >> >>
   >> >> Geo
   >> >
   >> >IIRC, in had a ScreenSaver password.
  >>
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: If you can remember windows 3.1 question