XP pro password help..

[JW]

I bought a used computer with XP pro on it. after boot up
it comes to the log on screen and has 3 domains
available. The previous owner gave me a password but when
I put it in it says the domain is not available. The
password is invalid on other two domains. How do I get
around this. I did call the previous owner and she
couldnt help me. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
JW

 

[Greg C]

First, you mention that you have a password, do you also
have a username? Also, next to one of the domains you
should see the text "(this computer)". This is the only
domain that you'll be able to log onto (except cached
accounts) now that you'r no longer one of the original 2
domains. With the chached accounts for the you may not
have the right username and password combo, or even if you
do, it may not be an admin account. At any rate, verify
that you have the right username/password combo for the
(this computer) domain. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[R Dunn]

I would check to see if that computer is stolen...

Normally (most circumstances) when there are multiple domains like that - it
is from a corporation or business. If it is from a business, they should
have re-formatted the drive and (depending on the license) copied the
installation files to the drive.

If you don't know the password or your friend doesn't know, you may have to
just re-format the whole thing.

There are utilities that exist out there that will help you break the
password (or reset it), but I'm not sanctioning the use of those

Rob