I have an Dell Dimension 8100. It originally had windows ME on it, and now has an XP upgrade. It seems to have become quite unstable and I would like to wipe it clean and do a full XP install. I do not need any of the data or other programs on it. Basically I just want to start from scratch, or as close as I can get.

So, I have attempted to do this, but once in the recovery counsel I don't have the administrator password (which I never set). I have tried entering "password" or leaving it blank. No luck.

Acording to the Dell Dimension 8100 manual (online) I have to remove the password jumper and all should be well. I have tried this and had no luck as well. I have also tried rebooting without it, shutting down, and then rebooting with it intalled again. Still no luck.

It is a 2 pin jumper...if that helps?

Looking for suggestions. :-?You don't need to enter the recovery console to do a full INSTALLATION. Do you have an original XP CD?No password needed to install Windows.Are you asking for a product key ,or a password? :-?Rob is correct but this might explain your problem with the Recovery Console password.

Extracted from ElderGeeks:

"Recovery Console Password

On MANY XP installations you can't start the Recovery Console because it won't recognize your password. This registry EDIT causes the Recovery Console not to ASK for a password. This works for both XP Home and XP Professional.

Start | Run | Regedit
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel VALUE to 1
Exit Registry and Reboot"

Hope it helps..