Can't get rid of request to type in computer password

Hello @DebbyJ,

Have you tried downloading the ISO again and creating a NEW Bootable USB. Then make sure that you are NOT connected to the Internet and try to install again.

Another option, if it came with Win 7, have a look in the Battery department or on the bottom of the laptop for a Product Key. You might then be able to install Win 7 and then Upgrade to Win 10.

I hope this helps.

I started the installation of Windows 10 pro successfully, after first creating a 2nd partition,

Windows creates its own partitions when you install it.

A clean install is to unallocated space on disk.

That is, you would delete all existing partitions as prior to starting the installation of windows in this case.

There is a tutorial:
Clean Install Windows 10

That assumes you have an appropriate means of activating Windows 10.

If you wish to install Win 10 on the basis of the Win 7 license, then see
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

where you can install Win 10 directly (again deleting all existing partitions of course).

Of course in either case you would boot the PC from a bootable DVD or flash drive created using the MS media creation tool.

Unsure where your password prompt is from though... BIOS?
That's an old laptop - apparently from around 2009?
https://www.dell.com/community/Lapto...b/td-p/3296920

Note on Dell password protection FWIW
https://www.dell.com/community/Lapto...t/td-p/3382404

Agreed, the BIOS has 2 password settings, one will allow access to the BIOS but need a password to begin loading and the other is more serious, can't even access the BIOS without it. Should be able to clear both by removing the CMOS battery for a period of time but the most difficult with Notebooks is disassembly enough to get at it.

If the password is only for the Operating System and a clean install is desired I use the GPARTED LiveCD to wipe the drive first, puts it back to its as-shipped condition. I've also instaledl Win10 on a few Notebooks as an Upgrade by running the setup.exe file from within Win7 or Win8/8.1, a stumbling block is if a password is needed to open Windows.

Hi Debby

From your first post, it sounds like you were once able to boot this PC to Windows successfully and now it does appear to have a bios lock password.

I've never heard of this happening by itself without someone accessing the bios, enabling the bios password feature, saving changes and exiting the bios.

What state was the PC when you returned?

Would there be any possibility that another individual has added a bios lock password while you were away from the PC?

Here's a link for a YouTube on the battery change.

Dell Latitude E5450 CMOS Battery Replacement Video Tutorial - YouTube


There are service manuals available online that will provide written step by step directions.

You'll need a clean tabletop, a small cushion or piece of closed cell foam to protect the laptop and I use an anti-static component bag to temporarily place removed components in.

When I re-pasted the cpu on an old Dell Studio laptop, there was a bit more to remove.

Beware, there were many screws of the same size & thread pitch with slightly different lengths on the main case.

I removed each screw and placed them on another piece of foam in the same orientation so I would remember exactly where they came from.

Slow & careful wins this race.

I don't want to discourage you but my laptop repair was a huge PITA and I've worked in IT for decades and started in the early 80s as an electronic assembler.

I found these details on a Dell website, still digging though.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/e...-bios-password

This YouTube claims to have a solution to reset the bios passwords for Dell laptops. Reading the comments below, many users seemed to find success using this method. Worth a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS65KqtBx5Q


I believe the tutorial uses this site to determine the master password.

BIOS Master Password Generator for Laptops