Memory Error
Sometimes I get frustrated with my kids because they can't seem to remember the simplest little things, like putting their dirty clothes in the hamper instead of on the floor. Or where they took off their shoes the night before.
Then I realize I'm no better. In fact, I'm worse.
Today we had a power outage for about an hour. When it came back on, I went to restart our two computers. The one the kids use is password-protected, to keep them from the temptation of Neopets and Yahoo Games. I typed in the password and it came back as incorrect.
That's odd, I thought. How could it not work? I checked the Caps Lock button, but that wasn't it. Maybe I typed it wrong, so I carefully tapped the keys. Nope.
It had been a week since either of my kids had been on that computer. How could I have forgotten the password in just a week? I tried every password I could possibly think of, then spent about an hour looking up "Forgot Windows Password" on Google. One site had step-by-step instructions to get around the password via the XP reinstallation disc. But that didn't work for me.
Finally, after 90 minutes of panic, I read a suggestion on some blog, "In the future, if you continue to have trouble remembering your password, maybe you should just set Windows to not have one."
An 800 million candle power Carbon Arc searchlight went off in my head.
I suddenly remembered turning off the password about a month ago as a way to show my son that I trusted him not to abuse his computer privileges. In the day-to-day blur of activities, I had completely forgotten doing this. When the computer was restarted and the Windows box popped up asking for a password, my brain just switched to automatic and wanted to do what it's done for the past four years.
So I left the password field blank, hit the enter key, and all was well. What I'd like to know is why that box even came up. It's like the computer was playing a trick on me.
Then I realize I'm no better. In fact, I'm worse.
Today we had a power outage for about an hour. When it came back on, I went to restart our two computers. The one the kids use is password-protected, to keep them from the temptation of Neopets and Yahoo Games. I typed in the password and it came back as incorrect.
That's odd, I thought. How could it not work? I checked the Caps Lock button, but that wasn't it. Maybe I typed it wrong, so I carefully tapped the keys. Nope.
It had been a week since either of my kids had been on that computer. How could I have forgotten the password in just a week? I tried every password I could possibly think of, then spent about an hour looking up "Forgot Windows Password" on Google. One site had step-by-step instructions to get around the password via the XP reinstallation disc. But that didn't work for me.
Finally, after 90 minutes of panic, I read a suggestion on some blog, "In the future, if you continue to have trouble remembering your password, maybe you should just set Windows to not have one."
An 800 million candle power Carbon Arc searchlight went off in my head.
I suddenly remembered turning off the password about a month ago as a way to show my son that I trusted him not to abuse his computer privileges. In the day-to-day blur of activities, I had completely forgotten doing this. When the computer was restarted and the Windows box popped up asking for a password, my brain just switched to automatic and wanted to do what it's done for the past four years.
So I left the password field blank, hit the enter key, and all was well. What I'd like to know is why that box even came up. It's like the computer was playing a trick on me.
Permalink posted by Phil at 9:59 PM
7 Comments:
Heheh. I have memory problems, too. That's why I use the same three passwords for every single thing in my life that gets a password. And I never, ever change them. I'm like a hackers dream or something.
I have a pretty good memory, but I have 200 logons and passwords because of work and blogging. So, I keep all my logons and paswwords in an encrypted file on my Blackberry. Every now and then, it's been a lifesaver.
BTW, I would recommend you creating an admin logon for the computer that is password protected and then changing the kids' logon to a lower-level user.
Why? Because even if you trust your kids, you can better protect the computer from accidental install, etc.
Now there is a life lesson there.
"You see son, I trust you, I just forget sometimes that I trust you..."
Thanks for the morning laugh.
That so sounds like something I would do. I'm with Katrina. I use the same passwords over and over. Then I'm bound to eventually get it right.
That's why I think I really need Ginkgo now..
Oh Ha Ha, it's called age! (joking).
But I'm with you when it comes to kids, mine still do the same, shoes every where, dirty washing everywhere, aaargghh.
Computers are always playing tricks on me too.
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