Help a total idiot!

[Tom Withycombe]

I have a desk top and laptop both set up in a pretty similar way. On
hearing that a particular visitor was en-route to stay with us for a few
days - and knowing what he is like - I decided to enter an
Administrator's password for myself and separate one for my wife so we
could still do what we wanted but our visitor would not be able to use
either machine.

It appears that in my rush to protect ourselves I screwed up the entry
of my new Administrator's password in the laptop. So - my personal
settings etc. cannot be accessed. I can get in via my wife's p/w but the
desktop, bookmarks etc. are very different.

This situation must happen regularly when people pass away unexpectedly
etc. All sorts of cases could cause this situation .... including idiots
like me not being careful.

So - is there a way to overcome this and get back to my much
loved/sorely missed set up in the laptop? Any help appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tom W.

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

Hope this helps -

EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are Unavailable After a Password Is
Reset
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290260



Windows Home XP
1. As windows is loading up press F8 repeatedly until the Windows advanced screen comes
up.
2. Select safe mode (the version of windows you want to use click XP wait until it loads
the welcome screen.
3. Select Administrator and it will log you on as administrator without a password
(provided a password was not created in this hidden account during setup).
4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
5. Select your name and click change the password.
Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
normal mode and use the new password you just created.

****

If you have XP Pro on your computer:-
1. At the log in screen " ctrl-alt-delete " twice.
2. In the User Account, type Administrator
3. Leave the password blank and press enter.
(Most likely a password wasn't created in this hidden account during setup).
4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
5. Select your name and click change the password.
Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
normal mode and use the new password you just created.

If you decide to set a password it is recommended that you create a Password Reset Disk
by clicking on "Prevent a Forgotten Password" link in the left pane. The Wizard will guide
you through.

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;321305

lists a few more options
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/lostpass.htm


--

====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Backup and data recovery: http://www.acronis.com.sg/
Enhancing file system performance: http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp


|I have a desk top and laptop both set up in a pretty similar way. On
| hearing that a particular visitor was en-route to stay with us for a few
| days - and knowing what he is like - I decided to enter an
| Administrator's password for myself and separate one for my wife so we
| could still do what we wanted but our visitor would not be able to use
| either machine.
|
| It appears that in my rush to protect ourselves I screwed up the entry
| of my new Administrator's password in the laptop. So - my personal
| settings etc. cannot be accessed. I can get in via my wife's p/w but the
| desktop, bookmarks etc. are very different.
|
| This situation must happen regularly when people pass away unexpectedly
| etc. All sorts of cases could cause this situation .... including idiots
| like me not being careful.
|
| So - is there a way to overcome this and get back to my much
| loved/sorely missed set up in the laptop? Any help appreciated.
|
| Many thanks,
|
| Tom W.
| --
| Tom Withycombe
| Dorset/UK
|

 

[Rock]

I have a desk top and laptop both set up in a pretty similar way. On
hearing that a particular visitor was en-route to stay with us for a few
days - and knowing what he is like - I decided to enter an Administrator's
password for myself and separate one for my wife so we could still do what
we wanted but our visitor would not be able to use either machine.

It appears that in my rush to protect ourselves I screwed up the entry of
my new Administrator's password in the laptop. So - my personal settings
etc. cannot be accessed. I can get in via my wife's p/w but the desktop,
bookmarks etc. are very different.

This situation must happen regularly when people pass away unexpectedly
etc. All sorts of cases could cause this situation .... including idiots
like me not being careful.

So - is there a way to overcome this and get back to my much loved/sorely
missed set up in the laptop? Any help appreciated.

What do you mean your personal settings cannot be accessed. Can you not
login to your account with the new password you assigned to it? What
exactly happens?

 

[XS11E]

What do you mean your personal settings cannot be accessed. Can
you not login to your account with the new password you assigned
to it? What exactly happens?

I think he's saying he hit a wrong key entering the password and now
can't duplicate it.

If that's the case a Google search for "Password recovery" might help
the OP?

 

[Rock]

I think he's saying he hit a wrong key entering the password and now
can't duplicate it.

If that's the case a Google search for "Password recovery" might help
the OP?

The standard way would be to use the password reset disk assuming he created
one. The other way login to the built in Administrator account and change
the password on the account with the problem.

 

[Tom Withycombe]

The standard way would be to use the password reset disk assuming he
created one. The other way login to the built in Administrator account
and change the password on the account with the problem.

Thanks for all help and consideration. The advice given by TaurArian in
the first reply has worked perfectly and all is now A-OK.

Thanks again!

TomW.
--
Tom Withycombe
Eagle Travel Marketing Ltd
Dorset/UK
Tel : +44 (0)1935 873344
Fax : +44 (0)1935 873331
Website: www.classichideaways.com