Windows XP pro adminitrator password changed

[Evelyn Rosebrock]

Hello to all. My computer is possessed! The administrator account password
changed by itself. (at least no one in the house will admit to changing it)
It was the only user account in the box so I wasn't able to log on at all. I
used safe mode to log in and created an new power user account that I can
use to log on. Unfortunately because the new account is not an administrator
account I am unable to load software or add new hardware. Of course I can't
change the password since I don't know the current one. Is there any way to
bypass and or delete the administrator password or am I doomed to format and
re install.

Thanx
Tracy

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If you have XP Pro on your computer, at the log in screen type
ctrl-alt-delete
twice. In the user account type administrator, leave the password blank and
press enter. You likely didn't create a password for this hidden account
during setup and if the computer was purchased with XP pre-installed it
doesn't likely have one either,

If you have Home, boot into Safe Mode (F8 after the post test and before
Windows starts. Once Windows starts loading, you've missed it and will have
to try again). You'll have an option to log on as Administrator. Again,
the same procedure, you'll be asked to log in to get into safe mode, type
administrator, leave the password blank and press enter.

This will get you in. Then go to Control Panel, user accounts, select the
specific user and select change password. Once you've changed the password
it would be advisable to create a Password Reset Disk by clicking "Prevent a
Forgotten Password" link in the left pane.