Lost Pasword NT4 PDC

[Stan Hibbert]

We have a lost password on our NT4 PDC, I have tested a linux bootdisk on a
XP Workstation and successfully changed the password on that using the disk
is this a safe method for use on the server?


Cheers

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

We have a lost password on our NT4 PDC, I have tested a linux bootdisk on a
XP Workstation and successfully changed the password on that using the disk
is this a safe method for use on the server?


Cheers

It seems you have been running an NT4 PDC without
having a second admin account as a fall-back measure.
Impressive! The Nordahl boot floppy should work but
if you want to play it absolutely safe then you should do this:
1. Boot the machine with a Bart PE boot CD.
2. Copy all registry files to a safe location.
3. Reset the password.

If things go bad then you can reverse the damage done
by resetting the password and try a different method.

 

[Kurt]

It seems you have been running an NT4 PDC without
having a second admin account as a fall-back measure.
Impressive! The Nordahl boot floppy should work but
if you want to play it absolutely safe then you should do this:
1. Boot the machine with a Bart PE boot CD.
2. Copy all registry files to a safe location.
3. Reset the password.

If things go bad then you can reverse the damage done
by resetting the password and try a different method.

I second Pegasus remarks. Also, Accounts in an NT4 domain are not local
accounts on the server, but domain accounts. Do you have no other
account with the rights/premissions to change passwords? Any account
with that ability can reset the "administrator" password.

....kurt

 

[Barry]

Tried booting with a bart pe cd but it doesnt let you access usermanager to
reset the password

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

See your second post.

Tried booting with a bart pe cd but it doesnt let you access usermanager to
reset the password

 

[Ryan Hanisco]

You're right that these kinds of utilities are not going to let you
browse the User Manager and change passwords. You'll have to provide
the SAMAccountName that you want to change and change that one. From
there you should be in.

But I agree with everyone else. Be careful and always have a second
admin account.

Ryan Hanisco