Help with Windows Server 2003 Password

[chumby]

We have a problem with a new customer with Windows Server 2003. They just hired us to take over their computer service since their previous tech died in a car accident. The problem is that they did not have the admin login for their server. Does anyone have any idea of how we could get this? Just so you know, I am not looking to hack anything, this is a legit problem that I have. You can check out our company website at pcexpress.gr just to see we are for real. Thanks!

 

[Wheelie]

There are numerous tools out there for this on XP/2000 but I am not sure about Server 2003.

For XP/200 machines I've used these types of programs successfully.

Oh wait - this guy claims it does servers. I'd check with him first though to clarify ...

 

[hawks5999]

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Free. and works on server 2003. just blank the admin password and you are in.

I did this just about 10 days ago using this software.

One thing to be aware of is this: if the server is at the login prompt and has the shut down disabled (grayed out). Do a hard shut down, and then you have to reboot twice into safe mode and perform a clean shut down (safe mode doesn't disable the shut down from login prompt).

Wheelie, judging by the screenshot in your second link, the guy is just selling the pnordahl software, which is kind of slimy...

 

[Wheelie]

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Free. and works on server 2003. just blank the admin password and you are in.

I did this just about 10 days ago using this software.

One thing to be aware of is this: if the server is at the login prompt and has the shut down disabled (grayed out). Do a hard shut down, and then you have to reboot twice into safe mode and perform a clean shut down (safe mode doesn't disable the shut down from login prompt).

Wheelie, judging by the screenshot in your second link, the guy is just selling the pnordahl software, which is kind of slimy...

You are correct. Good find. I paid $10 for it a year ago. Works like a champ tho.

BTW - do like Hawk says: clear the admin account. If you clear a user account and it has efs encrypted files you'll lose them so be very careful.

Which makes me think ... how do you tell the difference in a folder that has been checked "make these folders private" and one that is encrypted if you can't log on to the PC? If you pulled the HDD and put onto another PC and could take ownership successfully I guess that means the former. If not would you lose the efs encrypted files by simply trying to take ownership?