administrator password lost Win XP

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 24 Jun 2004 2:10 am

Silly me. I changed the password on the administrator account on my Win XP system. The idea was to limit the kid's access. Having forgotten the password, I am the only one who has lost access. anyone know any back doors to resetting the password for a user with administrator access.

Thanks in advance

pat Kelly

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 24 Jun 2004 4:05 am

This issue was discussed on TechTV last night. They recommended http://home.eunet.no/%7Epnordahl/ntpasswd/

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 24 Jun 2004 7:50 am

In the older machines,if you remove the c-mos battery for a moments,(30 seconds) it will go to a defaut state. This will clear any passwords you may have stored. Now with that said, you will need to set-up your BIOS perimeters again. You can use the default settings if you wish. This will NOT erase/modify any files or programs on your hard drive.

For the newer machines, the password can be reset to default in the BIOS section as you first turn on the computer. In some cases tho, it may be necesary to remove the battery also. Be sure to put the battery back in as it keeps the computer time and date stamp running after the machine is turned off/shut down.

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Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Jun 2004 2:13 pm

Bill, your tip is only for the BIOS password. That doesn't work for login and other passwords. Those are encrypted in the registry or sometimes in disk files.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 24 Jun 2004 5:43 pm

I just happen to have my computer book nearby. In short form, for a Dell with XP, it's turn it off, pull all the plugs, including the power, press the the power button to ground the system board, open the cover, locate and remove jumper PSWD on the system board.

Power up the system which will delete existing passwords. Power down in the same manner as above and replace the jumper. Powering back up will reenable the password feature.

This process erases both the system and setup passwords.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Jun 2004 7:17 pm

Yep, that will erase the system and setup passwords for the BIOS, because that's where they are stored, but won't do anything to the login password for XP. Try it and prove me wrong!

Most home users don't bother setting system and BIOS passwords, so set those in your BIOS setup screens first. Reboot and try to access your BIOS setup. It will ask for the BIOS password. Now move the jumper and try it again. The BIOS won't ask for a password this time, but I guaranty that XP will expect the same one you used before.

Les Pierce · Post by **Les Pierce** » 24 Jun 2004 7:27 pm

Sounds like it's time to do the "dirty", as the IT guys used to say. Reformat the hard drive, and reload the OS.

Les

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Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Jun 2004 7:30 pm

No, just download and use the utility that Cal posted the link to.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 25 Jun 2004 5:49 am

rename the SAM file in c:\windows\system32\config

you need the press f8 during startup and and go in console mode (disconnect network cable if you have one)

see discussion at http://www.duxcw.com/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=6492 [This message was edited by Joey Ace on 25 June 2004 at 07:27 AM.]

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 3 Jul 2004 6:56 pm

Well! I'm stumped. Can't rename the SAM file because I don't have administrator access - no password. My machine doesn't have a floppy drive and the registry editorwhich was posted does not allow to write to cd. Any other suggestions?

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 3 Jul 2004 8:43 pm

Update: I went into safe mode and was offered an account "administrator" different from my own personal administrator account. this account does not normally appear. this account was not password protected and allowed me to edit the settings of my own account. So I have deleted the passord on my own account and regained access. Nowhere can I see how I can rename SAM. Thanks for the link Joey. Most informative. However even booting into safe mode I got a message that the file was in use by another application and access was denied.

Thanks to all.

pat K

Edited to acknowledge Joey Ace's intro to the Dux Computer digest Web Page.[This message was edited by Pat Kelly on 05 July 2004 at 03:56 AM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 3 Jul 2004 9:10 pm

What is the use of requiring administratr access when it is so easy to get around it using Safe Mode?