IBM Aptiva E series

[14farming]

Yes, I am an idiot. I can't get my old computer out of DOS. All it does is give me a key symbol and when I type it gives me a white rectangle. I have an IBM Aptiva e-series 245.

[Dusty]

And your operating system is :-?

What are you trying to do, shutdown Dos, return to a Windows OS :-?

[ale52]

What is it that you type?  Do you have a rescue diskette?

Alan <>< :-)

[14farming]

I believe I am using Windows 98.
I also believe my system is locked.
When I enter any character it just gives me a white rectangle like I should be giving it a password.
After I push enter a few times it will say "Incorrect password specified. System halted."
Yes I am very ignorant when it comes to this stuff.

[ale52]

You might try removing the battery on the motherboard and letting it set for awhile.  That should drain the CMOS battery effectively letting it "forget" the password.  Reinsert the battery and boot up.

Alan <><  

[patio]

After you have drained the CMOS memory using Alan's suggestion then at the C: prompt type CD\Windows and hit enter ...at the C:\Windows prompt type Win and hit enter.

patio.   8-)

[ale52]

Thanks for the 'touch-up' patio  

Alan <><  

[patio]

Nothin to it...and you're Welcome !

[14farming]

Thank you everyone!! I am back in action!

[patio]

Excellent...we love success stories here.