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[jderric]

This is probably not the correct forum but can anybody help. We have a hand
me down computer running XP that was connected to a large network with a
domain name. We have only a small office with no domain, just a workgroup.
We changed the settings on the machine to workgroup and re-booted. Now the
password that was associated with the domain no longer works. We can't log
into XP. Anybody have a solution?

 

[C]

This is probably not the correct forum but can anybody help. We have a hand
me down computer running XP that was connected to a large network with a
domain name. We have only a small office with no domain, just a workgroup.
We changed the settings on the machine to workgroup and re-booted. Now the
password that was associated with the domain no longer works. We can't log
into XP. Anybody have a solution?

You should wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows. You never know
what you've inherited from a used computer.

C

 

[Gordon]

You should wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows. You never know what
you've inherited from a used computer.

C

I'd second that.....

 

[Daave]

I'd second that.....

Third.

 

[John John - MVP]

This is probably not the correct forum but can anybody help. We have a hand
me down computer running XP that was connected to a large network with a
domain name. We have only a small office with no domain, just a workgroup.
We changed the settings on the machine to workgroup and re-booted. Now the
password that was associated with the domain no longer works. We can't log
into XP. Anybody have a solution?

I agree with the others that you should reinstall cleanly. But if you
need to logon to the machine after disjoining it from the domain then
you must logon with a local administrator account. You can try hitting
Ctrl+Alt+Del twice at the logon screen and see if you can log on with
the local Administrator account. By default the password is blank
(press <Enter>) when Windows is installed. Any domain administrator
worth his salt would have changed the password but you never know...

John

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

This is probably not the correct forum but can anybody help. We have a hand
me down computer running XP that was connected to a large network with a
domain name. We have only a small office with no domain, just a workgroup.
We changed the settings on the machine to workgroup and re-booted. Now the
password that was associated with the domain no longer works. We can't log
into XP. Anybody have a solution?

If I acquired a used computer, no matter who previously owned it, the
first thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating
system cleanly. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained,
what has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and
spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody
else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn, etc., and I
wouldn't recommend that anyone else do so either.

 

[Guest]

I disagree with John John that the admin password is blank. I flattern
machines on site or install new machines daily & XP asks to input a local
admin password, but the username you enter defaults to no password

If you have another machine in the workgroup you can use Computer Management
to connect to the other computer & if the firewall is off you can then go to
Local Users & Groups & reset the admnin password. Although, as the other's
say you should wipe it clean & do a fresh install

 

[John John - MVP]

Yes, that's true, XP Pro does ask to enter a password for the built-in
Administrator account. Sorry for any confusion that the incorrect
information might have caused.

John

 

[John John - MVP]

PS. By the way, you may be able to connect to the remote computer over
the workgroup but you still need proper credentials to change the user
accounts or passwords... or do anything else on the remote. If you
don't know the Administrator password on the remote you still won't be
able to do anything.

John