Windows Password Problem

[Dell Christopher]

I just inherited a Windows XP desktop PC that hasn't been used for awhile.
Unfortunately, I don't know the Windows password so I can't even get to the
Desktop. I tried booting up in Safe Mode but the Admin account was password
protected, too.

All I want to do is see what's on the hard drive and recover what I want
before considering a fresh install of WinXP. If I were to remove the hard
drive and connect it to a second working desktop PC, will I be able to
access the data that way or will it still be password protected?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Nepatsfan]

In

I just inherited a Windows XP desktop PC that hasn't been
used for
awhile. Unfortunately, I don't know the Windows password so I
can't
even get to the Desktop. I tried booting up in Safe Mode but
the
Admin account was password protected, too.

All I want to do is see what's on the hard drive and recover
what I
want before considering a fresh install of WinXP. If I were
to
remove the hard drive and connect it to a second working
desktop PC,
will I be able to access the data that way or will it still
be
password protected?
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

If you want to try resetting the passwords here's a utility
that may prove helpful.

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Another option would be to boot the PC with a live Linux CD
such as Knoppix.

Should you put the hard drive in a second PC, you'll probably
have to take ownership of the files in order to avoid getting
an "Access denied" error message.

To disable Simple File Sharing and take ownership of the files,
take a look at these articles for more info:

How to disable simplified sharing and set permissions on a
shared folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307874/

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you
must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an
account that has Administrative rights to have access to the
Security tab. To start in Safe Mode, reboot your computer and
start tapping the F8 key as soon as you see anything displayed
on the screen. Keep hitting F8 until the Advanced Startup
Options menu appears. Use the up and down arrow keys on your
keyboard to select Safe Mode. Hit Enter.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I just inherited a Windows XP desktop PC that hasn't been used for awhile.
Unfortunately, I don't know the Windows password so I can't even get to the
Desktop. I tried booting up in Safe Mode but the Admin account was
password protected, too.

All I want to do is see what's on the hard drive and recover what I want
before considering a fresh install of WinXP. If I were to remove the hard
drive and connect it to a second working desktop PC, will I be able to
access the data that way or will it still be password protected?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Yes, you can access the data that way; you may very well need to Take
Ownership of the folders to do this. You can also clear the passwords
via various utilities, but keep in mind that if this is XP Pro, and if
encryption was invoked on any of the accounts, changing the passwords from
outside the account will permanently prohibit you from seeing that data.

HTH
-pk