XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that, I
want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator and
operating system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the same? If
so, why am I able to log into XP but not able to start the Recovery
Console? If not, is there a way to reset the OS admin password from
within XP?

SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free
since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?

Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset the
OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this before. The
computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this problem
because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
Download the .iso and burn to CD-R. When booted to the utility
choose Password change for Administrator and "Null Out" the
existing password.

I've seen this issue on a number of Dell PCs.

"mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:unkiEH%(E-Mail Removed)...
> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to start
> the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the administrator
> password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the Internet for
> resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that, I want to
> understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator and operating
> system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the same? If so, why am
> I able to log into XP but not able to start the Recovery Console? If not,
> is there a way to reset the OS admin password from within XP?
>
> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
> admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free since
> Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>
> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset the
> OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this before. The
> computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this problem because
> of Dell's use of sysprep.)

If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.

Create then merge this registry file to disable the
Recovery Console's password check.

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
"SetCommand"=dword:00000001
"SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)

3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.


Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml


ju.c


"mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that, I
> want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator and
> operating system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the same? If
> so, why am I able to log into XP but not able to start the Recovery
> Console? If not, is there a way to reset the OS admin password from
> within XP?
>
> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
> admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free
> since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>
> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset the
> OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this before. The
> computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this problem
> because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

Running this utility and blanking the Administrator password did not
work. When I try to enter the Recovery Console, I'm asked for the
Administrator password, which is blank. XP spits up and says that the
password is wrong. I used all of the defaults with the disk. It probably
did blank the GUI Administrator password (which was already blank. Do
you have any further suggestions?

I'm going to try the registry change, but I'd rather solve the password
problem.

R. McCarty wrote:
> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
> Download the .iso and burn to CD-R. When booted to the utility
> choose Password change for Administrator and "Null Out" the
> existing password.
>
> I've seen this issue on a number of Dell PCs.
>
> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:unkiEH%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to start
>> the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the administrator
>> password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the Internet for
>> resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that, I want to
>> understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator and operating
>> system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the same? If so, why am
>> I able to log into XP but not able to start the Recovery Console? If not,
>> is there a way to reset the OS admin password from within XP?
>>
>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
>> admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free since
>> Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>
>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset the
>> OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this before. The
>> computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this problem because
>> of Dell's use of sysprep.)
>
>

This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if possible.

Thanks!

ju.c wrote:
> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>
> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
> Recovery Console's password check.
>
> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>
> ----------copy inside only----------
> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>
> ----------copy inside only----------
>
> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>
> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>
>
> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>
>
>
> ju.c
>
>
> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
>> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
>> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that,
>> I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator
>> and operating system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the
>> same? If so, why am I able to log into XP but not able to start the
>> Recovery Console? If not, is there a way to reset the OS admin
>> password from within XP?
>>
>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
>> admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free
>> since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>
>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset
>> the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this
>> before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this
>> problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

The "Administrator" password that the Recovery Console asks
for is not the default "Administrator" password, but any user
with administrator privileges. So just enter your user account
password.


ju.c


"mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if possible.
>
> Thanks!
>
> ju.c wrote:
>> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>>
>> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
>> Recovery Console's password check.
>>
>> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>>
>> ----------copy inside only----------
>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>
>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
>> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
>> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>>
>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>
>> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>>
>> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>>
>>
>> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
>> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>>
>>
>>
>> ju.c
>>
>>
>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
>>> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
>>> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do that,
>>> I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP Administrator
>>> and operating system administrator passwords (Recovery Console) the
>>> same? If so, why am I able to log into XP but not able to start the
>>> Recovery Console? If not, is there a way to reset the OS admin
>>> password from within XP?
>>>
>>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the OS
>>> admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it free
>>> since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>>
>>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset
>>> the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this
>>> before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have this
>>> problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

Never heard that before. I'll give it a try before bed time tonight. Two
questions, though. Why doesn't blank work since that's the password for
the administrator account? Also, is there a way to change that password?

ju.c wrote:
> The "Administrator" password that the Recovery Console asks
> for is not the default "Administrator" password, but any user
> with administrator privileges. So just enter your user account
> password.
>
>
> ju.c
>
>
> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if
>> possible.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> ju.c wrote:
>>> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>>>
>>> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
>>> Recovery Console's password check.
>>>
>>> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>>>
>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>>
>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
>>> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
>>> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>>>
>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>
>>> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>>>
>>> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>>>
>>>
>>> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
>>> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ju.c
>>>
>>>
>>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>>>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
>>>> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>>>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
>>>> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do
>>>> that, I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP
>>>> Administrator and operating system administrator passwords (Recovery
>>>> Console) the same? If so, why am I able to log into XP but not able
>>>> to start the Recovery Console? If not, is there a way to reset the
>>>> OS admin password from within XP?
>>>>
>>>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the
>>>> OS admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it
>>>> free since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>>>
>>>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset
>>>> the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this
>>>> before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have
>>>> this problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

There are two accounts on this computer: The administrator account with
a blank password and a user account with a password. Both accounts have
administrative privileges. When I booted with an XP CD to get to the
Recovery Console, after it asked me which installation I wanted to
repair (1. Windows XP), it asked me for an administrator password. Blank
does not work, and the password assigned to the user account does not
work. I must be missing something here. How can I reset this password?

ju.c wrote:
> The "Administrator" password that the Recovery Console asks
> for is not the default "Administrator" password, but any user
> with administrator privileges. So just enter your user account
> password.
>
> ju.c
>
>
> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if
>> possible.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> ju.c wrote:
>>> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>>>
>>> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
>>> Recovery Console's password check.
>>>
>>> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>>>
>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>>
>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
>>> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
>>> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>>>
>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>
>>> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>>>
>>> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>>>
>>>
>>> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
>>> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ju.c
>>>
>>>
>>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>>>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
>>>> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>>>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
>>>> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do
>>>> that, I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP
>>>> Administrator and operating system administrator passwords (Recovery
>>>> Console) the same? If so, why am I able to log into XP but not able
>>>> to start the Recovery Console? If not, is there a way to reset the
>>>> OS admin password from within XP?
>>>>
>>>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the
>>>> OS admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it
>>>> free since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>>>
>>>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset
>>>> the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this
>>>> before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have
>>>> this problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

Here is my "Resetting a Forgotten Password" tutorial:


NOTES

- The built-in Administrator account is found on the
Welcome screen only if there are no other accounts
available, other than Guest, or when the computer is
booted into Safe Mode.
- To get Admin account on the "Welcome Screen" make sure
that there are no accounts logged in.
- The built-in Administrator account can create and
change passwords for all users, but cannot restore a
forgotten one.
- When a password is changed, that account will lose
all encrypted files, personal certificates and stored
Internet Explorer passwords or network resources.
- Press "CTRL-ALT-DEL" twice to get the classic Windows
logon box. Type: Administrator. If this account has a
password, enter it. Otherwise, leave the it blank.
- Recovering a password is much more difficult. Using
a cracking program can take weeks!


RESET A PASSWORD USING THE ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Log on using the built-in Administrator account.
3. Open: Control Panel -> User Accounts.
4. On the Users tab, select a user name, the password
to change and click Reset Password.


RESET A PASSWORD AT THE LOGON SCREEN WITH THE COMMAND PROMPT

At the logon screen, press Shift+F10 to open a Command
Prompt with adminisrative priviledges and type:

net user {username} {password}

{username} = The Account's User Name
{password} = This will be the new password


RESET A PASSWORD USING MICROSOFT'S ERD COMMANDER

1. Download a 30 day trial from here:

Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0 $65 64 MB
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

2. Install it, run it and burn the image to a CD.
3. Boot the CD and run the Locksmith Wizard, found under
Start -> System Tools.
4. The Locksmith Wizard is very easy to use, just select an
account and input a new password. Too easy!


RESET A PASSWORD USING OFFLINE NT PASSWORD & REGISTRY EDITOR

Bootable CD (Freeware):
http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

- This disc can set, reset or unlock the password of any
user account.
- You do not need to know the old password to set a new one.
- Works with Windows NT/2k/XP/Vista.


RESET A PASSWORD USING NT PASSWORD HACK

This will blank the Administrator password (Freeware):
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tool...sswordhack.zip


RECOVER A PASSWORD USING THE LOGIN RECOVERY WEB SERVICE

Login Recovery is a service to recover passwords for Windows NT,
2000, XP, 2003 and Vista (Fast = $30, 3-day wait = Free):
http://www.loginrecovery.com/index.php


LINKS

How to reset the Administrator's password:
http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...r_password.htm

EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are
Unavailable After a Password Is Reset:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290260/en-us

Administrator and User Passwords in Windows XP:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_passwords.htm


ju.c


"mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> There are two accounts on this computer: The administrator account with
> a blank password and a user account with a password. Both accounts have
> administrative privileges. When I booted with an XP CD to get to the
> Recovery Console, after it asked me which installation I wanted to
> repair (1. Windows XP), it asked me for an administrator password. Blank
> does not work, and the password assigned to the user account does not
> work. I must be missing something here. How can I reset this password?
>
> ju.c wrote:
>> The "Administrator" password that the Recovery Console asks
>> for is not the default "Administrator" password, but any user
>> with administrator privileges. So just enter your user account
>> password.
>>
>> ju.c
>>
>>
>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if
>>> possible.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> ju.c wrote:
>>>> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>>>>
>>>> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
>>>> Recovery Console's password check.
>>>>
>>>> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>>>>
>>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>>>
>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>>> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
>>>> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
>>>> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>>>>
>>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>>
>>>> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>>>>
>>>> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
>>>> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ju.c
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>>>>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try to
>>>>> start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>>>>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on the
>>>>> Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I do
>>>>> that, I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP
>>>>> Administrator and operating system administrator passwords (Recovery
>>>>> Console) the same? If so, why am I able to log into XP but not able
>>>>> to start the Recovery Console? If not, is there a way to reset the
>>>>> OS admin password from within XP?
>>>>>
>>>>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the
>>>>> OS admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it
>>>>> free since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>>>>
>>>>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I reset
>>>>> the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done this
>>>>> before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to have
>>>>> this problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)

I have already read and been through MOST of the suggestions below. What
is not clear to me is the difference between the administrator password
and the administrator password. The administrator password is blank, and
when I am ask for the administrator password, I just hit enter, and XP
starts normally. However, when I try to get into the Recovery Console, I
am asked for the administrator password, and when I hit ENTER for blank,
XP says that I have entered an invalid password.

Since I am able to log into Windows with a blank administrator password,
the utilities that help me reset or recover the administrator password
are of no use. That part is working just as it should. That part has
never been a problem. The part I am struggling with the is part where I
am asked for the administrator password before I can start Recovery Console.

The suggestion was made that entering any password for a user with
administrator rights would suffice for the requested administrator
password when attempting to start the Recovery Console. On my computer,
there is one other user besides the administrator with administrator
rights. Entering that password did not satisfy Windows, and the Recovery
Console could not be started.

If one of the techniques below will allow me to reset the administrator
password being requested when I try to start the Recovery Console,
kindly point it out. The confusion over the administrator password
versus the administrator password is frustrating, to say the least.

ju.c wrote:
> Here is my "Resetting a Forgotten Password" tutorial:
>
>
> NOTES
>
> - The built-in Administrator account is found on the
> Welcome screen only if there are no other accounts
> available, other than Guest, or when the computer is
> booted into Safe Mode.
> - To get Admin account on the "Welcome Screen" make sure
> that there are no accounts logged in.
> - The built-in Administrator account can create and
> change passwords for all users, but cannot restore a
> forgotten one.
> - When a password is changed, that account will lose
> all encrypted files, personal certificates and stored
> Internet Explorer passwords or network resources.
> - Press "CTRL-ALT-DEL" twice to get the classic Windows
> logon box. Type: Administrator. If this account has a
> password, enter it. Otherwise, leave the it blank.
> - Recovering a password is much more difficult. Using
> a cracking program can take weeks!
>
>
> RESET A PASSWORD USING THE ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT
>
> 1. Boot into Safe Mode.
> 2. Log on using the built-in Administrator account.
> 3. Open: Control Panel -> User Accounts.
> 4. On the Users tab, select a user name, the password
> to change and click Reset Password.
>
>
> RESET A PASSWORD AT THE LOGON SCREEN WITH THE COMMAND PROMPT
>
> At the logon screen, press Shift+F10 to open a Command Prompt with
> adminisrative priviledges and type:
>
> net user {username} {password}
>
> {username} = The Account's User Name
> {password} = This will be the new password
>
>
> RESET A PASSWORD USING MICROSOFT'S ERD COMMANDER
>
> 1. Download a 30 day trial from here:
>
> Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0 $65 64 MB
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
>
> 2. Install it, run it and burn the image to a CD.
> 3. Boot the CD and run the Locksmith Wizard, found under
> Start -> System Tools.
> 4. The Locksmith Wizard is very easy to use, just select an
> account and input a new password. Too easy!
>
>
> RESET A PASSWORD USING OFFLINE NT PASSWORD & REGISTRY EDITOR
>
> Bootable CD (Freeware):
> http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html
>
> - This disc can set, reset or unlock the password of any
> user account. - You do not need to know the old password to set a new one.
> - Works with Windows NT/2k/XP/Vista.
>
>
> RESET A PASSWORD USING NT PASSWORD HACK
>
> This will blank the Administrator password (Freeware):
> http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tool...sswordhack.zip
>
>
> RECOVER A PASSWORD USING THE LOGIN RECOVERY WEB SERVICE
>
> Login Recovery is a service to recover passwords for Windows NT,
> 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista (Fast = $30, 3-day wait = Free):
> http://www.loginrecovery.com/index.php
>
>
> LINKS
>
> How to reset the Administrator's password:
> http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...r_password.htm
>
> EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are
> Unavailable After a Password Is Reset:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290260/en-us
>
> Administrator and User Passwords in Windows XP:
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_passwords.htm
>
>
> ju.c
>
>
> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> There are two accounts on this computer: The administrator account
>> with a blank password and a user account with a password. Both
>> accounts have administrative privileges. When I booted with an XP CD
>> to get to the Recovery Console, after it asked me which installation I
>> wanted to repair (1. Windows XP), it asked me for an administrator
>> password. Blank does not work, and the password assigned to the user
>> account does not work. I must be missing something here. How can I
>> reset this password?
>>
>> ju.c wrote:
>>> The "Administrator" password that the Recovery Console asks
>>> for is not the default "Administrator" password, but any user
>>> with administrator privileges. So just enter your user account
>>> password.
>>>
>>> ju.c
>>>
>>>
>>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> This worked, but I would love to know how to fix the problem, if
>>>> possible.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> ju.c wrote:
>>>>> If there is no password then the password is just the enter key.
>>>>>
>>>>> Create then merge this registry file to disable the
>>>>> Recovery Console's password check.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. Copy below and paste into Notepad.
>>>>>
>>>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>>> Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
>>>>>
>>>>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>>>> NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
>>>>> "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
>>>>> "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001
>>>>>
>>>>> ----------copy inside only----------
>>>>>
>>>>> 2. Save-as RC_Security.reg (or any name + .reg)
>>>>>
>>>>> 3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 5.0
>>>>> http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...-Toolset.shtml
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ju.c
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "mcp6453" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:unkiEH#(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> XP SP3. There is no problem logging into this computer using the
>>>>>> Administrator account, which has no password. However, when I try
>>>>>> to start the Recovery Console from an XP CD, I cannot get past the
>>>>>> administrator password prompt. There are plenty of utilities on
>>>>>> the Internet for resetting administrator passwords, but before I
>>>>>> do that, I want to understand the difference. Are the Windows XP
>>>>>> Administrator and operating system administrator passwords
>>>>>> (Recovery Console) the same? If so, why am I able to log into XP
>>>>>> but not able to start the Recovery Console? If not, is there a way
>>>>>> to reset the OS admin password from within XP?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> SysInternals ERD is highly recommended as a tool for resetting the
>>>>>> OS admin password, but I cannot find it to download it. (Isn't it
>>>>>> free since Microsoft bought SysInternals?) Is it part of BartPE?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ultimately I need to boot into the Recovery Console. How can I
>>>>>> reset the OS admin password? (The crazy part is that I have done
>>>>>> this before. The computer is a Dell Optiplex, which are known to
>>>>>> have this problem because of Dell's use of sysprep.)