Password unknown for inherited unit

rsundermeyer

I inherited an Acer W500 that is password protected.  

 

I have the recovery CDs.  

 

I have located a manuals.

 

I've borrowed a USB attaches / powered external DVD drive.

 

I've followed the instructions:  "

Your computer was shipped with a set of recovery DVDS that contains the
system recovery information. While the tablet is turned off, plug in an external
DVD drive, insert the first disc into the DVD drive. Press the Windows key,
volume up key, and power button simultaneously to turn on the system. Follow
the onscreen instructions to complete the recovery process."

 

However, when I do this, it launches a menu, and the 'Recovery option' on the menu expects me to log in as a predefined user - 2 options - both of which require a password I don't know.

 

Should I be able to use a USB drive that does not have an external power adapter?  (I found one post that stated the drive had to have an external power adaptor - but I didn't understand why that might be required).

 

Any suggestions?

 

[subject line edited to differentiate from KB article]

 

padgett

Do not know about a W500 but both the W3 and W510 lack a excess of USB power. Many CD/DVD drives either have double USB connectors or require USB 3.0 (almost double the 500 ma 2.0 power). I have seen an error message that the USB power had been exceeded on my W3 when not using a powered hub.

 

Since low power to a DVD/CD means unreliable reads and less reliable writes, I always use either a powered hub or a CD/DVD with its own wall wart.

 

You may have a CD/DVD that runs on less than 500ma. Mine need more. (The LG BD40 is marked 5v 1.6A.

 

I have connected a keyboard, mouse, and flash drive to an unpowered hub before but wouldn't even try with rotating media either optical or flux driven. Even a 120 GB SSD is said to need 700 ma.The last UH7250 I bought was less than U$15 delivered, has 7 ports & came with a 2A WW.

 

[subject line edited to differentiate from KB article]