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June 16th, 2013 09:00

Dell laptop rejecting my password

I turned my computer on this morning (XPS M1330), it started updating automatically with updates and then would not accept my password. It gives the error message, " the user profile service failed the login." I do not have any software so I can reset the password, as I bought the computer from my brother about 2 years ago. What can I do? It doesn't seem right that the computer did these updates and is now rejecting my password with no solutions on how to change it beyond having the software.any help would be appreciated - thank you!

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 09:00

I turned on my computer this morning (XPS M1330), it started updating automatically with updates and then would not accept my password. It gives the error message, " the user profile service failed the login." I do not have any software so I can reset the password, as I bought the computer from my brother about 2 years ago. What can I do? It doesn't seem right that the computer did these updates and is now rejecting my password with no solutions on how to change it beyond having the software.any help would be appreciated - thank you!

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 09:00

If the user profile fails to load, the SAM won't load the password.  When this happens, there's a very good chance a failing hard drive is at fault.

Power the system up, press F12 a couple of times and boot to the Dell diagnostics.  Run the tests, and then boot to the full 32-bit diagnostics and run an extended hard drive test - you will likely find the drive has developed bad sectors where the user profile is stored, in which case you'll need a new, 2.5" 7 or 9.5 mm SATA notebook hard drive.

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 09:00

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 11:00

Start pressing F12 immediately after you press the power on button.  On some systems, FN-F12 is required.

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 11:00

Thanks so much for your response. I tried pressing F12 multiple times but the computer doesn't seem to be recognizing it from the first login screen where they ask me to enter my password. I also tried pressing F12 when the computer was booting up, before it got to the login screen, but that didn't seem to make a difference. Any tips on how to get past this? Thanks again!

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 12:00

Thank you - tried that twice (once with FN F12 and once just F12) immediately after powering on and it doesn't seem to recognize it before getting to the login/password page. Anything else I can try? Thank you!

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 12:00

Try holding down the D key through the POST process.  

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 13:00

Just to clarify, I turn on my computer and then immediately hold down the D key until it reacts and not do anything now with the F12 or FN keys? I'm not too computer/tech savvy so just want to make sure i am understanding. Thanks!

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 13:00

Holding down D should trip you into the diagnostics the same way F12 should.

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 15:00

D worked, I ran the one diagnostic test I saw and it produced no issues. It did not give me any other options to run more tests and my password is not working. Anything else I can try? Thank you!

9 Legend

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87.5K Posts

June 16th, 2013 16:00

Unless you can get the password, there's not much you can do but reload WIndows, no.

18 Posts

June 16th, 2013 17:00

Ok thanks so much for your help- much appreciated!

18 Posts

July 4th, 2013 10:00

Hi- I ordered the CD to reinstall windows onto my computer. Hoping you can see above thread from several weeks ago but in short: computer is rejecting my password and won't let me reset it. Tried diagnostic test, came up with no issues. I ordered the CD and it's now in my computer but I don't know how to trip it so it reads the CD to start the reinstall process. Please help - thanks in advance!

1 Message

November 28th, 2013 11:00

Yes it happened to me today. Now what. It won't let me in.. 

1 Message

March 3rd, 2016 08:00

This didn't work. It changed it to show colored screws, but then went right back to the screen that doesn't recognize my password. I even tried holding down D and F12 at the same time. It took longer, but then again it went back to that screen. PLEASE tell me there is something else I can do to fix this. I can't work without my laptop and I'm almost completely broke. I can't afford to pay Dell for help, and I'm going to be homeless if I can't fix it now! I'm begging anyone with the answer to please help me!!!

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