Forgot password of PPC

[estralitasky]

Help please! I recently changed my password on my pocket pc, but I can't remember it, and I didn't leave any hints for myself.. Is there any way that I can unlock my PPC? Thanks!

[Edgar_]

If using 1-pass contact Omega One's helpdesk

Otherwise, hard reset your device and it will be back at factory default with no added apps, no data and no password protection. Afterall, thats what the password is there for - protect the data if stolen.

-Edgar

[pocketpcadmirer]

Though I must mention that whatever is there in "Storage/iPAq file store"(blah..blah..), that will remain untouched and will be avaliable to you even after hard reset

Sunny

[estralitasky]

My pocket pc is the ipaq series. What do you mean by hard reset? Is that pressing the reset button which is on the PPC cover itself? I tried that already, and I still get the password page. How?

[applejosh]

A hard reset is not a pin reset, which is what it sounds like you're doing. I think it depends on which IPAQ the exact procedure for doing a hard reset (which will delete all data and essentially take it back to how it came out of the factory before you got it). On mine, I had to press and hold the outer 2 buttons (of the 4 that run across the front) while using the stylus to do a pin reset. I then continued to hold those two buttons until the display faded. Then I waited 30-60 seconds and did another pin reset to bring it back to life. But without knowing which iPAQ you have, I can't say for sure if that will do it. Just remember, it will erase all data on your device.

[Edgar_]

Im pretty sure all ipaq uses the same key sequence - the calendar/contact buttons with a pin reset. Sort of like the three finger salute of a PC (Ctrl-Alt-Del). :)

Alternatively - leave your battery off for 48 hrs - the backup battery will drain and the same thing will occur.

[estralitasky]

I tried using the calender/contact + pin reset, but whenever I let go of the pin reset button, it simple restarts as if I did a simple pin reset. Why is that?

[schmenge]

Try these instructions:

http://pocketpccentral.net/help/ipaq2200reset.htm

If that doesn't work, try a Google search for "iPaq hard reset" and your specific model number.

[Patrick Y.]

My pocket pc is the ipaq series.

Can you name a specific model? There are dozens of devices in the ipaq series. Also, I believe the manual states how you can hard-reset your device. BTW, iPAQ manuals are available here if you lost yours. http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?h_pagetype=s-001&h_lang=en&h_cc=us&h_product=314903&h_page=hpcom&h_client=S-A-R163-1&cc=us&lang=en

[estralitasky]

I'm using the HP rx1955. I've checked the manual, but I can't seem to find where it states how to do a hard-reset.. someone please tell me which part of the manual I can find it? Thanks.

[Patrick Y.]

I'm using the HP rx1955. I've checked the manual, but I can't seem to find where it states how to do a hard-reset.. someone please tell me which part of the manual I can find it? Thanks.

You're right. It's not in the manual. :roll: I just can't believe that HP can forget such thing in their manual.

Anyway, I found the solution here http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=125&prodSeriesId=1132544&prodTypeId=215348&objectID=c00500935


Performing a Clean Reset
A clean reset clears all user-installed settings, programs, and data, and it restores your HP iPAQ to factory settings.



CAUTION: If you perform a clean reset, your HP iPAQ loses all data. Be sure to save any unsaved data within a running application before performing a clean reset.

To perform a clean reset and return you HP iPAQ to factory settings:

Press and hold the Calendar and iPAQ Wireless buttons.
While holding down these buttons, use the stylus to lightly press the Reset button on the left side of the HP iPAQ for about two seconds.
When the HP iPAQ screen begins to fade, release the Calendar and iPAQ Wireless buttons first, and then remove the stylus from the Reset button.
Plug the device into the AC Adapter or press the Reset button again.

The HP iPAQ resets and powers on.

I wonder why they have to make the "clean" reset so complicated. :?

[Edgar_]

Well its usually the two most outside buttons and reset at same tiem for 10 seconds

Otherwise, since none of us want to google this for you :) just leave the battery off for 2 days and it will reset itself when the internal battery drains (dont worry, it recharges as well - you dont have to replace it)


MOOT - it right above me here :) posted same time. He has good google foo.

[Patrick Y.]

Well its usually the two most outside buttons and reset at same tiem for 10 seconds

Otherwise, since none of us want to google this for you :) just leave the battery off for 2 days and it will reset itself when the internal battery drains (dont worry, it recharges as well - you dont have to replace it)


MOOT - it right above me here :) posted same time. He has good google foo.

Since 1955 has WM5, it will never hard-reset even if you take out the battery for a hundred years. :lol: The data are stored in flash and they don't require powers.

[estralitasky]

I tried pressing the calender + curled arrow button + reset, but when I let go of the reset after releasing the calender and wireless button, the ppc simply does a soft reset and goes back to the password page.. how come?

[Edgar_]

Are you holdig down all three until the screen fades?

2-10 seconds. Otherwise it will just do a soft reset

[buzzard]

My 4700 always does a hard reset if I remove the battery and then reinstall it. Have you removed the battery ?

Another notation from the HP website "You push the buttons calendar, iTask and power together with the resetbutton. The bootscreen will show a message like "Formatting file storage".

[Patrick Y.]

My 4700 always does a hard reset if I remove the battery and then reinstall it. Have you removed the battery ?



As I said before, it won't work because rx1955 has WM5. With WM5, stuff are installed in Flash ROM and it doesn't require power. Therefore, no matter how long you take out the battery, the device will never reset.

[Sven Johannsen]

My 4700 always does a hard reset if I remove the battery and then reinstall it. Have you removed the battery ?

First of all your 4700 shouldn't hard reset when you replace the battery, i.e. remove one and put another one in right away. There is a backup battery internally that should allow battery swapping. If you can't do that yours is broken.

Secondly as has been mentioned, WM5 uses persistant memory, and removing the battery will not hard reset the device even if you leave it out. It is much like CF and SD cards. They don't lose their info with no power. WM5 devices must be hard reset using either an included program or a hardware button combo or sequence. I expect the two buttons and reset pin is accurate as that has been HPs norm for quite some time. I don't have an HP WM5 to test though. It does require you to hold that combo for a while. I would say a good 10 sec.

Why is it so hard? Because they don't want to happen by accident.

[buzzard]

First of all your 4700 shouldn't hard reset when you replace the battery, i.e. remove one and put another one in right away. There is a backup battery internally that should allow battery swapping. If you can't do that yours is broken.

Not part of this thread but seeing that you tell me that my device may not be functioning properly, is there a way to test if it's broken ? When you say "right away", about how long is that ?

[Edgar_]

I've left my battery out of my 4700 for 30 mins before with no loss - WM2003SE


As to the original problem. If all this doesnt work I would call HP support - its a free call, they can walk you through other ways, such as a powered reset etc. Its an 800 number, its free, its a common mistake - Im sure they can address it.

[buzzard]

I've left my battery out of my 4700 for 30 mins before with no loss - WM2003SE
Thanks for the information. After I thought about the times this has happened to me I remembered it was always after the 4700 froze. In other words for some unknown reason the screen went black and didn't respond to a soft reset, a hard reset or plugging it into my laptop's USB port, it just stayed blank. I removed the battery and this "reset" the 4700 except it was like a hard reset was done. I guess I don't know how long it would retain its data if I removed the battery under normal operating conditions.

[Patrick Y.]

Not part of this thread but seeing that you tell me that my device may not be functioning properly, is there a way to test if it's broken ? When you say "right away", about how long is that ?

Your backup battery might be dead.

[buzzard]

Your backup battery might be dead.

It shows that it's at 100%. I generally don't let the regular battery go lower than 50% so I have no idea if the backup works.

[Patrick Y.]

Sometimes the battery indicator is not that accurate.

[estralitasky]

Are you holdig down all three until the screen fades?

2-10 seconds. Otherwise it will just do a soft reset

I held all 3 for about 10 secs or more, but it doesn't seem to be fading..

[Patrick Y.]

You should try to contact HP then... I believe they have online chat support.