Forgot Administrator password/ task manager locked

[Guest]

I've had computer for 7yrs. and upgraded from original windows me to XP pro
SP2 5 yrs ago by a "professional" (though states my copy is not genuine every
time I log on). However, it works great with automatic updates etc., until I
accidentally hit the lock computer tab after using task manager.

I still sign on every day but am locked out of using task manager or
escaping by using Ctrl/Alt/Del. since it has been locked by me, (the
administrator and only user), and I have no idea what I used for the password
5 yrs ago.

I've read the threads etc. but am hesitant because I am only blocked from
using the Task manager. Best Buy, (geek squad), says they can fix it if I
bring it in, but at what cost and trouble?

This is surely a common mistake people make so why is it so damn hard to
correct it yourself? If anyone can tell me how to undo it to use task
manager, if possible, I sure would appreciate it. If not, its a pain I can
live with anyway.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

It is very likely that the password is left blank by a "professional" as
most professionals do.

In what interface are you on? Is it classical or do you see "WELCOME"
Screen on which you see your name to click on?

If it is the Welcome Screen type than I suggest type/KeyIn (two times):

CTRL+ALT+DEL
CTRL+ALT+DEL

When you get a dialogue box, enter: ADMINISTRATOR

For password just press enter and see whether this works.

If you still can't get in then for password enter * (this is asterisk
key) to see once again if this works.

Hop this helps.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I've had computer for 7yrs. and upgraded from original windows me to XP
pro
SP2 5 yrs ago by a "professional" (though states my copy is not genuine
every
time I log on). However, it works great with automatic updates etc.,
until I
accidentally hit the lock computer tab after using task manager.

I still sign on every day but am locked out of using task manager or
escaping by using Ctrl/Alt/Del. since it has been locked by me, (the
administrator and only user), and I have no idea what I used for the
password
5 yrs ago.

I've read the threads etc. but am hesitant because I am only blocked from
using the Task manager. Best Buy, (geek squad), says they can fix it if I
bring it in, but at what cost and trouble?

This is surely a common mistake people make so why is it so damn hard to
correct it yourself? If anyone can tell me how to undo it to use task
manager, if possible, I sure would appreciate it. If not, its a pain I
can
live with anyway.

What is the exact error message?

Did you ever invoke encryption? If not - if you are absolutely sure you
did not - you can find Linux-based CDs on the web that can reset passwords.

If you did invoke encryption, do not do this as you will irretrievably lose
the encrypted data.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

It is very likely that the password is left blank by a "professional" as
most professionals do.

In what interface are you on? Is it classical or do you see "WELCOME"
Screen on which you see your name to click on?

If it is the Welcome Screen type than I suggest type/KeyIn (two times):

CTRL+ALT+DEL
CTRL+ALT+DEL

When you get a dialogue box, enter: ADMINISTRATOR

For password just press enter and see whether this works.

If you still can't get in then for password enter * (this is asterisk
key) to see once again if this works.

Hop this helps.

Again, while this will get you into the administrator account, this is XP
Pro, and hence it's possible that encryption was invoked - resetting the
user's password from the Admin account - or from any account other than the
user's - will cause permanent data loss.

HTH
-pk

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Again, while this will get you into the administrator account, this is XP
Pro, and hence it's possible that encryption was invoked - resetting the
user's password from the Admin account - or from any account other than the
user's - will cause permanent data loss.

I do it all the time and I have not seen any loss of data using an
ADMINISTRATOR account. Admin is the top level account which gives you
full access to data of all users of that machine.

I just tried this on my current machine and I can still access user's
Excel files.

HTH

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I do it all the time and I have not seen any loss of data using an
ADMINISTRATOR account.

Then your users have not invoked encryption.

Admin is the top level account which gives you
full access to data of all users of that machine.

Sorry, but that is not correct. Encrypted data is only available to the
account holding the correct encryption certificates.

I just tried this on my current machine and I can still access user's
Excel files.

Then the user's data was not encrypted.

Changing the password for an account that uses encryption, from outside that
account, will instantly render all encrypted files and folders unavailable.
The original password will *not* help.

Many people who invoke encryption fail to complete the process and back up
the certificates, or to specify a recovery agent. And so, their data is
lost after Windows crashed and a reinstall had to be done.

You will regularly see people asking here about this. Unfortunately, many
changes to the account will render the certificates invalid, and so the data
is just plain gone, and it isn't coming back. Backups are also encrypted,
and are equally worthless without the original certificates.

My point is that it is both hazardous and inappropriate to even suggest that
an XP Pro user change their password from outside the account if you cannot
be absolutely certain that encryption was *not* invoked. This is the
very first thing that should be checked.

If there is *any* uncertainty whatsoever, it's better to clone the drive and
work on a clone to determine whether encyption was invoked.

HTH
-pk

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Sorry, but that is not correct. Encrypted data is only available to the
account holding the correct encryption certificates.

I have just tried it and it works. are you talking about encryption of
individual files like encryption using Winzip or Word or even excel? I
am not talking about this this because majority of students I deal with
don't bother with this on their on machine. Also, the students I deal
with don't bother with Windows encryption. Do you encounter them
regularly in your work? I am in an academic environment where students
and staff are only interested to get their work done.

Then the user's data was not encrypted.

It depends on what you mean as explained above.

My point is that it is both hazardous and inappropriate to even suggest that
an XP Pro user change their password from outside the account if you cannot
be absolutely certain that encryption was *not* invoked. This is the
very first thing that should be checked.

It isn't "both hazardous and inappropriate" because using your own
scenario the data is lost kaput!!. It is worth a try after all the data
is lost and I doubt very much your own method of using Linux CD will
even work in such situation.