Stumpted Password Reset

[PBComputer]

Hello

I current have a Windows XP does on my bench, I can't reset the password, What would of being a simple job. Has turned into the job from hell.

The owner has forgot the password. So I confirmed they where the owners and went about resetting the password.

The tool's i have used are

• Microsoft EDR
• Konboot
• ophCrack
• Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

The errors

Microsoft EDR

I boot into EDR reset the password no problem buut back into xp and enter the new password. then i'm told "you don't have permission to change your password" This happens on all accounts.

Konboot

Just reboots constantly.

Ophcrack

Fails to detect the hard drive. tried three different cd's of it.

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

lets me reset the password, but does not recognize the new password.

So failing a windows re installation. Can anyone else think of another way to reset the password.

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[NYJimbo]

I haven't done this in a while but can you boot an XP install disk, get the repair/recovery console and then do a:

net user administrator /active:yes
net user administrator "password"

then boot again and I think the admin login should be available, maybe if you are inside XP and as admin it might let you do anything.

Can someone else confirm these steps for XP ?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

could always resort to trying hirens

 

[PBComputer]

@Jimbo will try that tomorrow.

@Computerrepairtech I did try a few tools on there but will look again.

 

[Go-To Gordon]

Hello


Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

lets me reset the password, but does not recognize the new password.

did you try just deleting it with Offline NT? That is what I always do. Then add a new one within windows.

 

[FoolishTech]

Paul, I'm pretty sure you are a d7 user, right? Use d7 Locksmith on the Offline Operations page.

It must be done offline (boot to a WinPE cd or just attach the client's HDD to your tech bench PC) run d7 Locksmith on it, pull the drive put it back in the machine.

It will boot to login screen and there will still be a password prompt -- however give it a minute then try to login with a blank password. Should do the trick.

 

[JustInspired]

A lot of good suggestions here.
I had a similar problem with a Windows XP laptop the other day and none of those tools worked, not even deleting with Offline.
I ended up using the DOS based Active Password Changer which worked first time. No idea why it worked when the others didn't.

 

[Krynn72]

did you try just deleting it with Offline NT? That is what I always do. Then add a new one within windows.

This is my method as well, can't say I've ever seen it fail to be honest.

 

[Gary Rockliff]

Active Boot Disk for me http://www.lsoft.net/bootdisk.aspx never fails.

 

[Heke]

Just boot in save mode, go in as a Administrator and remove password.

 

[atlanticjim]

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor had given me trouble until I realized that I was not completing the process. Even the FAQ has these notes:

Note that you must quit out of the user name select with ! which is usually SHIFT 1
.. and then select to quit, then answer y when it asks to write / save back the changes...
.. else nothing will be written.
Seems like too many people just reset the machine after selecting to reset the password, without doing the save..

Now I find that it never fails. And I only blank out the password and let the user add on later if they want to.

 

[PBComputer]

So tried Jimbo suggestion this failed.

I decied to give Active Password Changer a go, this also failed to let me change the password.

I re-tried safe mode both admin and user account had a password.

So pulled the hard drive, booted into D7 ran locksmith. then put the hard drive back into the computer. re-tried and at first it would not let me in, so booted into safe mode. and tried user account, still locked. but the admin accout let me in and I have manged to remove both passwords.

Another win for D7

Paul