Windows XP lost password!

[AdamZ]

We are using XP SP3 on a pier to pier network and some knucklehead changed the password for the main user of on computer and can't recall the password AHHHHHHH. We can still access the computer but through a secondary user and it does not have access to all we need and that is accessable through the main user.

Is there anyway to get in there and reset the main users password so we can get it?

 

[Steve Foley]

We are using XP SP3 on a pier to pier network and some knucklehead changed the password for the main user of on computer and can't recall the password AHHHHHHH. We can still access the computer but through a secondary user and it does not have access to all we need and that is accessable through the main user.

Is there anyway to get in there and reset the main users password so we can get it?

You can download a Linux boot CD with a utility to clear the password. I've never done it, but I know the engineering dept did it once when I was on vacation. I don't know if this is the one they used or not, but you can try http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

 

[EppyGA]

We are using XP SP3 on a pier to pier network and some knucklehead changed the password for the main user of on computer and can't recall the password AHHHHHHH. We can still access the computer but through a secondary user and it does not have access to all we need and that is accessable through the main user.

Is there anyway to get in there and reset the main users password so we can get it?

I found a free program once to do this, but looking around quickly I did find this.

http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/?gclid=CMuOq6iZs58CFWEO5QodTxzl6A


or perhaps this

http://internetbusinessdaily.net/how-to-hack-a-window-xp-admins-password/

A couple more to check out.

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/passrecovery.htm

 

[RJM62]

It can be reset through any other administrative account, if any exist.

I haven't tried any of the programs linked by other posters because I have one that works (the last legal version of Sysinternals ERD). I know that one works, so I never bothered trying the others.

In theory, one might find an ISO of the bootable ERD CD by searching Bittorrent, if one were inclined to do so.

By the way -- if it's not an emergency, I'll probably be in your neck of the woods later this week or over the weekend.

-Rich

 

[RJM62]

Also, depending on who installed Windows, the password for the Administrator account may be blank. It also might be "password." From there you can change any other account password.

By the way, hopefully you didn't elect to protect (encrypt) the files on the account whose password was changed...

-Rich

 

[SkyHog]

Adam, do you have a way to boot into dos? Its a simple matter of deleting a single file if you do.

 

[SkyHog]

To give more details (you can call me if you need to Adam):

If you are using FAT32, which is a definite possibility with Windows XP, boot into a DOS Disk, navigate to c:\windows\system32\config and you'll see a .sam file.Rename that file, and the administrator password will now be blank.

 

[AdamZ]

Thanks guys I booted from the CD drive with a reset. Thanks for all the information

 

[EdFred]

Make sure the computers are tied down well and don't fall into the water on your pier to pier network.

 

[wsuffa]

Make sure the computers are tied down well and don't fall into the water on your pier to pier network.

What kind of ap-pier-ance would that give?