Received computer with unknown password

[Stefanie]

We were given a computer from my company that utilizes
2000 pro, which is fine. However, it was used on a
network by a broker who is no longer with the company and
no one knows the password. There is not a function to
allow anyone access even through a dial-up method. When
the computer boots up, the first screen tells you to
press ctrl+alt+delete and then up comes the password
screen, which I can't get past or remove. Can anyone
help me? I'm close to clueless on this stuff.

 

[Jeremy Sun]

You mean the computer is donated or sold to you, right?

I'd recommend formatting the computer and reinstall everything.

 

[Stefanie]

Donated, I guess. We let some of our broker staff go and
the owner gave executive staff each a computer. I don't
know how to format it since I can't even get to a screen
that has a start menu. And if I could, I don't have a
copy of Windows to install. I think I'm just going to
take it back up to work and ask our programmer to take
care of it for me. Thank you for trying to help me!

Have a great night, Stefanie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

We were given a computer from my company that utilizes
2000 pro, which is fine. However, it was used on a
network by a broker who is no longer with the company and
no one knows the password. There is not a function to
allow anyone access even through a dial-up method. When
the computer boots up, the first screen tells you to
press ctrl+alt+delete and then up comes the password
screen, which I can't get past or remove. Can anyone
help me? I'm close to clueless on this stuff.

Hi

You might try to reset the local Administrator password
with one of the methods mentioned here:

http://securityadmin.info/noframes/faqget.asp#password

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm