Vista Password recovery

[4ycr]

I have a client who has forgotten their admin password and I need it to install some backup software. I have tried orphcrack, NT password recovery, ubcd4.

orphcrack says it has found no hash tags while the others can not find the SAMS database.

If I need to I will put the computer back to it's factory settings but I do not want to do this as they have a lot of software that will need reinstalling.

The computer is a DELL but I don't have the model number yet.

Thanks
Steven

 

[trapped]

I use the Offline NT Registry & Password editor. I usually run it off UBCD4WIN and blank out the password.

 

[iisjman07]

Yeah, NT Password thang usually works if you use it correctly. Another thing you may want to try is 'konboot', which edits the windows kernel to accept any password. Have you checked to see if the SAM file is in the correct place (I'm not sure if you can change where it is) or that it exists?

EDIT:
You could also integrate this registry key into the machine (offline if you cannot login), which enables the 'hidden' admin account which you can into from Safe Mode.

 

[4ycr]

I use the Offline NT Registry & Password editor. I usually run it off UBCD4WIN and blank out the password.

I tried it for the first time the other day. I tried the automatic option and then selecting the partitions one by one. It could not mount the first one and the second one did not have a SAM database

I used this from the SARDU program I found on here, do you think it will work better on it's own.

 

[trapped]

Could be a SATA/RAID driver issue. Maybe try changing the SATA operation to Compatibility/IDE/Something Other Than AHCI/RAID.

 

[4ycr]

Could be a SATA/RAID driver issue. Maybe try changing the SATA operation to Compatibility/IDE/Something Other Than AHCI/RAID.

I tried that as well but the DELL BIOS would not allow me

 

[trapped]

Can you boot up with UBCD4WIN? Sometimes I will use the password tools on there. I can't think of the name off the top of my head (pasword renew maybe), but one of the password tools works okay if you create a new admin account. Then you can log into Windows and remove the admin password. The program is unreliable for changing the password.

 

[4ycr]

Thanks I will give it a try

 

[RegEdit]

Offline NT Registry & Password editor allows you to RESET the password. It doesn't "recover" passwords.

 

[MobileTechie]

It could not mount the first one

.

That would appear to be the problem then. Sounds like you need to solve that first.

 

[Morrison5891]

http://www.password-changer.com/

I've used this on more then 300 workstations, servers, etc ... and has NEVER failed me. 100% works everytime.

 

[4ycr]

thanks I will try it when I see them next, which should be soon.

 

[shamrin]

Just thought I would finish this one off since there's no final message about how the OP solved his problem.

The probable reason why you were getting the SAM error message is because the program (chntpw) was looking at the wrong partition. I've got a Dell Vostro here that had the same issues and it turns out that the program was looking at the registry entries on what looks to be the recovery partition and not the real OS partition. There is a menu choice early on in the program that gives you the opportunity to select the partition you want to operate on but it is above some other writing so it's not obvious.

BTW, I tested Ophrack and it looks like it figured out the password on this system as well. The only problem is that the user had made too many failed attempts and the Admin logon was locked.

 

[4ycr]

I never got a chance to try it. I offered to try but they just said they would contact the person they bought it from. I was even in their office, so it was not solved.

However now I know a few more tools encase I get into the same situation again.

 

[Pc Fixed Right]

umm..Paragon Rescue Kit FTW has yet to fail me and it will reset all passwords to blanks. Get the technicians license LINKY It is well worth the $99 and you will never have to ask any of your customers for their passwords again when they drop off a machine.

 

[4ycr]

umm..Paragon Rescue Kit FTW has yet to fail me and it will reset all passwords to blanks. Get the technicians license LINKY It is well worth the $99 and you will never have to ask any of your customers for their passwords again when they drop off a machine.

Thanks I will check it out