Lost Admin password!

[Spikehammer]

Nee a bit of help please.

One of the girls at work has just got a laptop from a cash converter type shop. They gave her a card with the password for it (It's got XP Home on it), she's duly lost it! It's the password to the Admin acount as well!
I seem to remeber there was a way that you could get in but I also seem to remember that was only through a guest logon.

Anyone got any ideas that could help.
I'll just reformat it otherwise.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ovenpaa]

Nee a bit of help please.

One of the girls at work has just got a laptop from a cash converter type shop. They gave her a card with the password for it (It's got XP Home on it), she's duly lost it! It's the password to the Admin acount as well!
I seem to remeber there was a way that you could get in but I also seem to remember that was only through a guest logon.

Anyone got any ideas that could help.
I'll just reformat it otherwise.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Download the boot disk from here - simplicity to use as well

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

 

[Fanum]

http://www.loginrecovery.com/

If she can boot up and get in though, it's a bit easier


First reboot Windows XP in safe mode by re-starting the computer in safe mode by pressing F8 repeatedly as the computer starts up. Then (in safe mode) click Start>Run. In the open box type 'control userpasswords2'

Select the administrators user account, and then click 'Reset Password'

Enter a new PW then confirm it, an it should be job done

 

[Spikehammer]

Thanks guys. I've got the machine here but it's no no floppy drive so I'll have to dl the ISO.
The method you mention Fanum is what I remembered but I can't get past the login screen so can't get to the start>run command.

 

[Fanum]

Thanks guys. I've got the machine here but it's no no floppy drive so I'll have to dl the ISO.
The method you mention Fanum is what I remembered but I can't get past the login screen so can't get to the start>run command.

Er, that's kinda the point....don't let it get to the login stage, stop it before the splash screen with F8 and getit into safe mode

 

[Spikehammer]

Er, that's kinda the point....don't let it get to the login stage, stop it before the splash screen with F8 and getit into safe mode

Yep that's what I've been doing but when it's in safe mode (I've tried with and without command prompt) it still gets through to the login screen.
What I've got is the login box with safe mode in the bottom corners and Safe Mode Microsoft blah blah blah across the top...
Maybe I've missed something but I'm not getting to the start>run command...

 

[ovenpaa]

If you are still stuck I have some other 'non techie' tools on a bootable CD that will open an NT Password in short time.

 

[Fanum]

You don't have to re-install XP to reset the PW.....you can repair the install which in effect does the smae thing...you (or she) will need the install disk though....

Copied from some google search...



1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

 

[Spikehammer]

Thats the stuff I tried first, but apparently it won't work if SP2 is on the machine, which this one has....

I'll have a bit more of a play tomorrow as I'm sure there's a way in. I have a spare copy of XP she can have if push comes to shove (the machine has nothing on it yet apparently, no saved files etc).

 

[ovenpaa]

Thats the stuff I tried first, but apparently it won't work if SP2 is on the machine, which this one has....

I'll have a bit more of a play tomorrow as I'm sure there's a way in. I have a spare copy of XP she can have if push comes to shove (the machine has nothing on it yet apparently, no saved files etc).

Bootable CD with http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/ - under 90 seconds to reset the password. I can build you a CD if you are stuck