LAPTOP problem HELP needed

[Gremlin]

Cant you just boot it in 'safe mode' by hitting a key during the boot process (cant remember which key but pretty sure it takes you to the blue screen menu), which gives you an admin login, no password required, then once loaded go into your personal account settings and change your password?

Couple of things:
a) administrator account has to be enabled (sometimes isn't)
b) pure luck if there is no password, its like any other user account, may or may not have a password
c) I have seen home computer set ups where the administrator account is the default account being used (so when it goes wrong you have no come back)
d) don't need safe mode to log in as the administrator
e) any account that is on the administrator level can alter other user accounts - ie, reset password

[Urano]

If you have a Truecrypt encrypted boot volume then physical access gives no meaningful advantage.

An insecure operating system can be made secure through encryption.

please.
don't do that.

unless your employer is the nsa. truly.