XP password problem

Sunday, November 30, 2003 by kona0197 | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

My Uncle locked himself out his laptop. He forgot his password.

Is there a way around this?

I told him he might have to reinstall XP but he has to much stuff he wants to save.

we tried booting up with a boot disk but no access to C:
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AndreasV
Reply #1 Sunday, November 30, 2003 2:58 PM
There is a file that you can delete so the admins password will be reset. Don't know anymore what it was called. Something with "SAM" I believe.
Corio
Reply #2 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:00 PM
Has he set a password for the administrator-account?



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_02
Reply #3 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:00 PM
Tell your uncle to boot into safe mode by tapping on F8 when he powers on and choosing the appropriate options. He can then log in as administrator at the welcome screen.

Once he is logged in, he can go into user accounts and fix the password problem.

Hope he hasn't set a password for the default administrator account
Corio
Reply #4 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:00 PM
Oops....



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kona0197
Reply #5 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:08 PM
Hope he hasn't set a password for the default administrator account


he did and that is the password he forgot.
kona0197
Reply #6 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:09 PM
There is a file that you can delete so the admins password will be reset. Don't know anymore what it was called. Something with "SAM" I believe.


more info on that would be helpful.
_02
Reply #7 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:20 PM
Looks like he needs a boot disk that can read NTFS volumes to be able to get into the drive so that he can recover some of his smaller files (those that'll fit on a floppy disk), and to delete the .pwl file if anyone comes up with the name of the .pwl file that holds the XP log on passwords.

You can download an XP boot diskette that will allow you to read NTFS volumes here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Here's another link that may help if you have an XP box and your uncle lives close enough for you to get a password recovery disk to him.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q305478
[Message Edited]
lovesblessing
Reply #8 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:27 PM
Hi Kona! Here is a link to an article on TechTV that has recovery for locked out xp passwords.....scroll down the page and there are some links there that should help, I hope! http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/shownotes/story/0,24330,3575968,00.html If that is not what you need then keep searching the Tech Tv website, I remember hearing about recovery of lost passwords on a couple of their shows! Have a blessed day!
yrag
Reply #9 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:37 PM
http://www.pchelplive.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=10



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EventHorizon
Reply #10 Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:51 PM
One way that works (for me at least) is to pull the plug on the computer when the Bootscreen is showing (after you turn the comp on)...Then plug it back in and turn it on and let it load normally...you should see an Administrator account on the login screen.
[Message Edited]
_DrDrrae_
Reply #11 Sunday, November 30, 2003 8:37 PM
#10 by Sir EventHorizon - 11/30/2003 3:51:57 PM One way that works (for me at least) is to pull the plug on the computer when the Bootscreen is showing (after you turn the comp on)...Then plug it back in and turn it on and let it load normally...you should see an Administrator account on the login screen. [Message Edited]


that is the same as booting up in safe mode

kona0197
Reply #12 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:09 PM
nothing here helped. I guess we talk to microsoft.
Jafo
Reply #13 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:23 PM

Kona....5 seconds with Google got me to here...

http://is-it-true.org/nt/atips/atips262.shtml 

Be wary, though...it's not for the faint hearted, it seems...

EventHorizon
Reply #14 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:25 PM
Be wary, though...it's not for the faint hearted, it seems


Hes doomed...

J/k Kona
Jafo
Reply #15 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:26 PM

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=265

70 dollars US and you'll be sweet...

Jafo
Reply #16 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:27 PM
I dunno.....an enquiring mind and 'Google.com' and you can get just about anything sorted....
elvee
Reply #17 Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:52 PM
Last night someone hacked on to my box changed the password to my XP logon and wiped out everything in My Documents Folder. I was able to get on through Safe Mode on the Admin account but it was too late to fix anything. I had to do a format and clean install Another lesson learned



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yrag
Reply #18 Sunday, November 30, 2003 10:08 PM
That's nasty elvee...if it's an ongoing problem, disconnect the power button and hook the wire to a toggle switch somewhere else (hopefully where only you will know where it's at). I've done it to several 'problem' systems and the switch was nowhere near the 'puter. They can't hack what they can't start.
Jafo
Reply #19 Sunday, November 30, 2003 10:11 PM
If it's someone turning on and getting into your comp when you're not there....use a removable HD caddy and take the drive with you.....can't access a comp with no OS....
yrag
Reply #20 Sunday, November 30, 2003 10:15 PM
...yeah, but if you take the drive home with you, ya gotta' sleep with it!!!!!



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