Partly OT? How to get past lost administrative password

[Josef Lowder]

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My son inherited a Dell desktop computer that is password 
protected so he cannot log-in to gain access to use the system. 

What would be the procedure for getting past this administrative 
password so he can make some use of this computer? 

Is there a way to turn of passwords in the Dell bios? 
Or, could he use something like "super-grub" to create 
a new boot loader? 

I don't think he is concerned about saving any data on the 
HD, but he would like to salvage XP and the programs that 
already exist on this computer. 

He would like to try a Linux LiveCD and perhaps to install 
a dual-boot arrangement on the 20-gig HD in this computer 
to begin to get acquainted with Linux. 

What would be the best course of action to solve this?