Password Protected Pc

[Etienne62]

I have been given an old Packard Bell desktop PC running Windows XP. However, when I turned it on I found that it had been password protected. The former owner cannot remember the password. This is a long shot but does anyone know a way of getting into it without the password?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[bookbinder]

I've just entered this into Google: access pc without knowing password.
I got a long list of sites, too many to mention here. You might care to have a look.

[The Builder]

If it's the BIOS password, Etienne, this is well illustrated.............

http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-BIOS-Password

I think you mean the "log on" user password though. If so, try this.......

http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/321305

[Buenchico]

My second post here might be relevant:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Question1408280.html

[TTG]

Reboot into safe mode and you should get the option to select the user called Administrator. This user might not need a password. If you can get in as this user, you can easily change any other users password. Details here:-

http://www.wikihow.com/Log-on-to-Windows-XP-Using-the-Default-Blank-Administrator-Password

[TTG]

Sorry, looks like the builder has already given this as an answer.