An information-processing apparatus containing a previously-stored first password includes an input unit, a detachable storage unit, a determining unit, a creating unit, and a storing unit. The determining unit compares an input password input at startup with the first password to determine the input password matches the first password. If the input password is determined not to match the first password, the determining unit determines whether a second password is present in the storage unit. If the determining unit determines that the second password is not present, the creating unit creates the second password. The storing unit stores the created second password in the storage unit.