I need to change a password on a user account in 30 seconds or do it from a
recover console prompt.

Machine has a nasty virus. Machine loads and about 40 seconds into the
completion of a boot, the computer totally reboots. There is not enough time
to do anything in control panel.

I want to format drive and reload. I can't fix windows. I also want to
recover some important files that are stored in profile with password.
Removing the hard drive does not allow me access.

It is a laptop, so I can't hook up a second hard drive and start in recovery
console and copy files. So, I am hoping there is a command prompt option to
change a password.

Or I am hoping someone can advise me on an alternative plan.

Thanks.

Joe wrote:

> I need to change a password on a user account in 30 seconds or do it
> from a recover console prompt.
>
> Machine has a nasty virus. Machine loads and about 40 seconds into
> the
> completion of a boot, the computer totally reboots. There is not
> enough time to do anything in control panel.
>
> I want to format drive and reload. I can't fix windows. I also want
> to recover some important files that are stored in profile with
> password. Removing the hard drive does not allow me access.
>
> It is a laptop, so I can't hook up a second hard drive and start in
> recovery
> console and copy files. So, I am hoping there is a command prompt
> option to change a password.
>
> Or I am hoping someone can advise me on an alternative plan.

Back up the data by booting with Knoppix, a Linux distro on a live cd.
You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumbdrive with enough capacity to hold your data.
Since you have a laptop, you'll need to go the usb thumbdrive router.

To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso from
www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it
will be able to see the Windows files. If you are using the usb thumb
drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get its properties
and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on it to open it.
Note that the default mouse action in the window manager used by
Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the traditional MS
Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b burning program to burn
the files to cd/dvd-r's.

Then boot with your XP cd and do a clean install of Windows.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Don't forget to scan the data you backed up for viruses/malware *before*
you transfer it back to the laptop! Don't connect the new installation
to the Internet until you have SP2 installed (with the Windows Firewall
on) and antivirus software installed.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks Malke.

I actually have a KNOPPIX disk in my possession. I didn't realize that
KNOPPIX treats the password protected folders ad read only and can copy them.
Thanks.

"Malke" wrote:

> Joe wrote:
>
> > I need to change a password on a user account in 30 seconds or do it
> > from a recover console prompt.
> >
> > Machine has a nasty virus. Machine loads and about 40 seconds into
> > the
> > completion of a boot, the computer totally reboots. There is not
> > enough time to do anything in control panel.
> >
> > I want to format drive and reload. I can't fix windows. I also want
> > to recover some important files that are stored in profile with
> > password. Removing the hard drive does not allow me access.
> >
> > It is a laptop, so I can't hook up a second hard drive and start in
> > recovery
> > console and copy files. So, I am hoping there is a command prompt
> > option to change a password.
> >
> > Or I am hoping someone can advise me on an alternative plan.
>
> Back up the data by booting with Knoppix, a Linux distro on a live cd.
> You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
> cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumbdrive with enough capacity to hold your data.
> Since you have a laptop, you'll need to go the usb thumbdrive router.
>
> To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
> third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso from
> www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it
> will be able to see the Windows files. If you are using the usb thumb
> drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get its properties
> and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on it to open it.
> Note that the default mouse action in the window manager used by
> Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the traditional MS
> Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b burning program to burn
> the files to cd/dvd-r's.
>
> Then boot with your XP cd and do a clean install of Windows.
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
>
> Don't forget to scan the data you backed up for viruses/malware *before*
> you transfer it back to the laptop! Don't connect the new installation
> to the Internet until you have SP2 installed (with the Windows Firewall
> on) and antivirus software installed.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>

Joe wrote:

> Thanks Malke.
>
> I actually have a KNOPPIX disk in my possession. I didn't realize
> that KNOPPIX treats the password protected folders ad read only and
> can copy them.
> Thanks.

Linux doesn't care about Windows permissions. Encryption is another
story, but it didn't sound to me like you had encrypted the files.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

pardon me for jumping in.


can I download one without torrent? like with explorer or plain FTP? The
ISP ban use of torrent

"Malke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Joe wrote:
>
>> I need to change a password on a user account in 30 seconds or do it
>> from a recover console prompt.
>>
>> Machine has a nasty virus. Machine loads and about 40 seconds into
>> the
>> completion of a boot, the computer totally reboots. There is not
>> enough time to do anything in control panel.
>>
>> I want to format drive and reload. I can't fix windows. I also want
>> to recover some important files that are stored in profile with
>> password. Removing the hard drive does not allow me access.
>>
>> It is a laptop, so I can't hook up a second hard drive and start in
>> recovery
>> console and copy files. So, I am hoping there is a command prompt
>> option to change a password.
>>
>> Or I am hoping someone can advise me on an alternative plan.
>
> Back up the data by booting with Knoppix, a Linux distro on a live cd.
> You will need a computer with two cd drives, one of which is a
> cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumbdrive with enough capacity to hold your data.
> Since you have a laptop, you'll need to go the usb thumbdrive router.
>
> To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast Internet connection and
> third-party burning software. Download the Knoppix .iso from
> www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then boot with it and it
> will be able to see the Windows files. If you are using the usb thumb
> drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to get its properties
> and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then click on it to open it.
> Note that the default mouse action in the window manager used by
> Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead of the traditional MS
> Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b burning program to burn
> the files to cd/dvd-r's.
>
> Then boot with your XP cd and do a clean install of Windows.
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
>
> Don't forget to scan the data you backed up for viruses/malware *before*
> you transfer it back to the laptop! Don't connect the new installation
> to the Internet until you have SP2 installed (with the Windows Firewall
> on) and antivirus software installed.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

jg wrote:

> pardon me for jumping in.
>
>
> can I download one without torrent? like with explorer or plain FTP?
> The ISP ban use of torrent

Download what without torrent? Knoppix? Of course. Go to knoppix.net and
download from a mirror near you.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Hi,

Speaking about password, it is possible to reset it if lost or
forgotten using for expample Active@ Password Changer tool. The tool
helped me before, it's relaible, easy to use and rather powerful. I
suppose that can really help if password is lost or expired.

http://www.password-changer.com/