Can't log in without administrator's password

[Geoff]

A potentially dumb question, I know, but I just bought a used PC that's
running Windows 2000 Pro and on booting up I am prompted for a user
name and password. I have neither. The field next to "User" is defaulting to
"Administrator", but I don't know what the former owner's administrator's
password was. Does anybody know how I can either: bypass this altogther,
create a new user (me) and password, become the administrator and set a
new password, or just wipe the whole computer and start from scratch,
where presumably I can create new users and be the admin.?

I'm a long-time mac user--maybe you can help me switch away!

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[Dave Patrick]

To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
prompts.

When you get to the point, delete the existing NTFS and or other partitions
found. After you delete the partition(s) abort the install, then again
restart the pc booting the CD-Rom or setup disks to avoid unexpected drive
letter assignments with your new install.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
A potentially dumb question, I know, but I just bought a used PC that's
running Windows 2000 Pro and on booting up I am prompted for a user
name and password. I have neither. The field next to "User" is defaulting to
"Administrator", but I don't know what the former owner's administrator's
password was. Does anybody know how I can either: bypass this altogther,
create a new user (me) and password, become the administrator and set a
new password, or just wipe the whole computer and start from scratch,
where presumably I can create new users and be the admin.?

I'm a long-time mac user--maybe you can help me switch away!

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[Greg Stigers]

That's not a dumb question. Did this system come with the appropriate CDs?
If not, then you cannot assume that the license to run any of the software
was transferred with ownership of the box. More on this in a moment. If the
CDs (and their covers with the product keys) did come with the system, then
as you mentioned, you have the option of reinstalling everything from
scratch, and redownloading and applying service packs, etc. At least you
will have a clean system, for the price of some non-trivial effort. If you
do not have the CDs, I can only advise you that you need to have licensed
versions of these products.

If you bought this from an individual, they should be able to give you the
admin password, or at least sign on, and let you change it to a password of
your own choosing. If you bought this from a resale store, first, they were
irresponsible in not checking out the system and noticing the admin
password, or, if they have it, not passing it on to you. At worst, you can
ask them to track this down, and be informed by the whole experience.

Welcome to Windows. Remember, a computer is a tool for getting something
done, not a religion. That said, once you are up and running, google "switch
parody". There's some funny stuff out there, and laughing over it is better
than arguing over who has the better mousetrap. My $.02.
--
Greg Stigers, MCSA
this space for rent
A potentially dumb question, I know, but I just bought a used PC that's
running Windows 2000 Pro and on booting up I am prompted for a user
name and password. I have neither. The field next to "User" is defaulting to
"Administrator", but I don't know what the former owner's administrator's
password was. Does anybody know how I can either: bypass this altogther,
create a new user (me) and password, become the administrator and set a
new password, or just wipe the whole computer and start from scratch,
where presumably I can create new users and be the admin.?

I'm a long-time mac user--maybe you can help me switch away!

Thanks very much in advance.