i have just received a pc from my boss with windows xp pro. he cant remember
his password.
we have nothing in the HDD to retrieve or backup. but we dont have driver
cds & im not sure about the drivers. i cannot go into windows to check the
drivers.
is there a way i can bypass this password or reset windows by repairing it
or reinstalling it so that i do not lose the drivers.
please advice
I Forgot My Administrator Password!
by Vic Ferri
Can't Log On to Windows XP?
If that’s your only problem, then you probably have nothing to worry
about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into
your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a
little known access hole in Windows XP.
This method is easy enough for newbies to follow – it doesn’t require
using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it’s free
- I mention that because you can pay two hundred dollars for an
emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility
for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here
http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp
ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is
not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem
is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not
necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator
password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here’s how with a
step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for
newbie’s.
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer
(it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and
that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd
Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is
inspecting your system and loading files.
4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to
Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option
to do a Repair.
It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP
installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if
you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin
the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then
start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to
reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar
stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any
key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with
the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows
is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and
when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10.
This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving
you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You
have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control
Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or
change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without
having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2
at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password.
After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box
and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).
13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your
new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if
you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and
personalized settings should remain intact.
I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also
used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember
their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This
security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can
also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui
access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to
continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone
intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.
And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after
making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.
Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your
changes will be lost.
Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to
prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset
Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget
your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.
Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:
* Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
* Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under
Related Tasks, click "Prevent a forgotten password".
* This will initiate a wizard.
* Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into
your A: drive.
* Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.
* Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.
* Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place
How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk
Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and
leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring
up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your
Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will
initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk
into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose
a new password to use for your account.
Note: If your computer is part of a domain, the procedure for creating
a password disk is different.
See here for step by step instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;306214&