Password Problem

I have a laptop Toshiba 3 years old, it was a family members, he set it with his log in as a pin code and no password. I cannot get in to anything because it is asking for a password he said is not there. I have tried many I though it could be. I got in to bring back to factory state but cannot go any further because it still wants a password. What can I do besides throw this against a wall which is where it is headed.

 

It sounds like it is requesting a BIOS password. If that is the case, the old way was to remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes BUT newer laptops don't reset BIOS passwords by removing the CMOS battery.

 

I came across
Removing BIOS password on Toshiba Satellite Laptop

It gives some quite clear instructions.
Good luck.
s.

 

http://support.toshiba.com/support/viewContentDetail?soid=108503

 

It is, in fact, a Windows option and not a BIOS option.



TimW's suggestion should be the one that works.

 

Yes, PIN logins first appeared in Win 8.1

 

Actually, it first appeared in Windows 8.0.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/use-pin-to-login-to-windows-8/

 

But the OP said he set a PIN and no password.
So why would it ask for a password, unless it was a BIOS password, if no password was ever set?

 

Re-read Post #1. The laptop was a family member's and the family member set up a PIN.

 

My understanding is that any non-password log in (ie PIN, photo log in, Microsoft email account log in) is an additional
option only, and not a sole alternative. The reason for that is log in in Safe Mode is impossible without a password = a PIN or photo log in simply will not work. Ergo there MUST have been a password or Microsoft Account log in, or password protected Local account to start with.

 

No passwords used or asked for here, Max.

 

Safe Mode with command prompt wont allow me to use my PIN in two Win 10 laptops or a Win10 desktop. All three were 8.1 set up with Microsoft accounts. I don't use local accounts. My reading of guides on Windows Club, How to Geek all suggest PIN is an alternative to a PW but not solely in replacement of it. If the OP is being asked for a PW, then one clearly existed!
Even if the original owner says there wasn't one, only the system manufacturer can help now.