XP password problem

There is a file that you can delete so the admins password will be reset. Don't know anymore what it was called. Something with "SAM" I believe.

Has he set a password for the administrator-account?

Tell your uncle to boot into safe mode by tapping on F8 when he powers on and choosing the appropriate options. He can then log in as administrator at the welcome screen.

Once he is logged in, he can go into user accounts and fix the password problem.

Hope he hasn't set a password for the default administrator account

Oops....

Hope he hasn't set a password for the default administrator account

he did and that is the password he forgot.

There is a file that you can delete so the admins password will be reset. Don't know anymore what it was called. Something with "SAM" I believe.

more info on that would be helpful.

Looks like he needs a boot disk that can read NTFS volumes to be able to get into the drive so that he can recover some of his smaller files (those that'll fit on a floppy disk), and to delete the .pwl file if anyone comes up with the name of the .pwl file that holds the XP log on passwords.

You can download an XP boot diskette that will allow you to read NTFS volumes here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Here's another link that may help if you have an XP box and your uncle lives close enough for you to get a password recovery disk to him.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q305478
[Message Edited]

Hi Kona! Here is a link to an article on TechTV that has recovery for locked out xp passwords.....scroll down the page and there are some links there that should help, I hope! http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/shownotes/story/0,24330,3575968,00.html If that is not what you need then keep searching the Tech Tv website, I remember hearing about recovery of lost passwords on a couple of their shows! Have a blessed day!

http://www.pchelplive.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=10

One way that works (for me at least) is to pull the plug on the computer when the Bootscreen is showing (after you turn the comp on)...Then plug it back in and turn it on and let it load normally...you should see an Administrator account on the login screen.
[Message Edited]

#10 by Sir EventHorizon - 11/30/2003 3:51:57 PM One way that works (for me at least) is to pull the plug on the computer when the Bootscreen is showing (after you turn the comp on)...Then plug it back in and turn it on and let it load normally...you should see an Administrator account on the login screen. [Message Edited]

that is the same as booting up in safe mode

nothing here helped. I guess we talk to microsoft.

Kona....5 seconds with Google got me to here...

http://is-it-true.org/nt/atips/atips262.shtml 

Be wary, though...it's not for the faint hearted, it seems...

Be wary, though...it's not for the faint hearted, it seems

Hes doomed...

J/k Kona

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=265

70 dollars US and you'll be sweet...

I dunno.....an enquiring mind and 'Google.com' and you can get just about anything sorted....

Last night someone hacked on to my box changed the password to my XP logon and wiped out everything in My Documents Folder. I was able to get on through Safe Mode on the Admin account but it was too late to fix anything. I had to do a format and clean install Another lesson learned

That's nasty elvee...if it's an ongoing problem, disconnect the power button and hook the wire to a toggle switch somewhere else (hopefully where only you will know where it's at). I've done it to several 'problem' systems and the switch was nowhere near the 'puter. They can't hack what they can't start.

If it's someone turning on and getting into your comp when you're not there....use a removable HD caddy and take the drive with you.....can't access a comp with no OS....

...yeah, but if you take the drive home with you, ya gotta' sleep with it!!!!!

no one at home Jafo, besides i had a lock up Proggie on, My guess is someone got through my firewall(XP's Default one) Thats the lesson i learned Xp is not enough

i really wouldn't suggest that, cause once i was booting up my computer and the power went out, and then every time i turned on my computer it would go to the welcome screen and immediately restart, and safe mode didn't even work. I had to reformat my hard drive

Sorry Terry for Hijacking your thread

My guess is someone got through my firewall(XP's Default one)

XP's firewall is as useless as a chocolate teapot  .......... may I suggest Sygate Personal Firewall (free for personal use) http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

set the BIO to demand a password when booting...

They will have to either flash from a boot disk (if you have the newest version BIO flashed already it will not allow them to do it) or remove the cover and be totally obvious about what they are doing...