Install Method for Bypassing User Password

[Magnusfarce]

I'm going to do a couple of Win2k clean installs and I'd appreciate a bit of
advice. I've installed W2k before at different times, and in one case, I
happened to make choices during the install that resulted in the user
password being bypassed when the computer starts up. The problem is I don't
remember which options I selected. I'd experiment, but I don't have an
extra machine to spare nor the time right now.

Can anyone give me a blow by blow description on how to make this happen?
I'm aware that there are methods that can be used after the fact by making
changes to the registry, but I'd rather not do that. It goes without saying
that these machines are not networked and do not have multiple users, so
passwork security is not an issue. Any help would be appreciated.

- Magnusfarce

 

[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.

Control Panel|Users and Passwords, then uncheck the box for "Users must
enter a user name and password to use this computer"

--
Regards,

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


:
| I'm going to do a couple of Win2k clean installs and I'd appreciate a bit
of
| advice. I've installed W2k before at different times, and in one case, I
| happened to make choices during the install that resulted in the user
| password being bypassed when the computer starts up. The problem is I
don't
| remember which options I selected. I'd experiment, but I don't have an
| extra machine to spare nor the time right now.
|
| Can anyone give me a blow by blow description on how to make this happen?
| I'm aware that there are methods that can be used after the fact by making
| changes to the registry, but I'd rather not do that. It goes without
saying
| that these machines are not networked and do not have multiple users, so
| passwork security is not an issue. Any help would be appreciated.
|
| - Magnusfarce
|
|

 

[Magnusfarce]

Wow, that was easy. I feel a little bit stupid. I must have done that on
an early install and then forgotten about it. I'll write it down this time.

One question. When I made this change from control panel, a window popped
up that correctly described what I was doing but asked for an administrator
password anyway. Why is this necessary?

BTW, I believe that the version of W2k I used before is a bootleg copy, and
I have now purchased two completely new W2k OS's. I haven't used them yet,
but with these current versions, will I still need to do the four-floppy
thing, or can I boot and install directly from these CD's ? The floppy
install procedure was kind of a pain. Thanks for the help.

- Magnusfarce

 

[Dave Patrick]

:
| Wow, that was easy. I feel a little bit stupid. I must have done that on
| an early install and then forgotten about it. I'll write it down this
time.
|
| One question. When I made this change from control panel, a window popped
| up that correctly described what I was doing but asked for an
administrator
| password anyway. Why is this necessary?
* The password for an autologon account cannot be blank.


| BTW, I believe that the version of W2k I used before is a bootleg copy,
and
| I have now purchased two completely new W2k OS's. I haven't used them
yet,
| but with these current versions, will I still need to do the four-floppy
| thing, or can I boot and install directly from these CD's ? The floppy
| install procedure was kind of a pain. Thanks for the help.
* By all means if your hardware supports it boot the CD-Rom to start your
install.

--
Regards,

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