Forgot administrator password on xp?

Question

Hi i am trying to get into my old pc which i havent used for over a year! I have forgot the administrator password like a fool and wondered if anyone knows of a way around this. Ive tried boot disks etc but my pc doesnt boot from them any help would be appreciated

Answer 1

If its important go to:

Answer 2

If you have access to or know someone who has ERD commander, this will be the answer to all your problems. You boot off the CD to its version of windows, select locksmith, choose the username that you need to change and then enter a new password. Reboot and you are done. Easy as that.

The other way is to boot to safe mode and then ente administrator as the username. This one is normally not password protected if it was installed at the factory. If you changed it later on then you are out of luck using this method

The third method would be to boot off Knoppix cd, and replace the SAM file (this is where all the passwords are stored in windows XP) with the SAM file that contains a username and password that you know.

The other method would be to install a parallel version of windows, leaving the first one intact. This will give you access to all the files and someone told me that if you then transferred the registry of the old install to the new one, you might get all your installed softwares back. Don't hold me to this one. I have not tried it myself.

Like I said, ERD Commander. Works like a charm.

Answer 3

Right first thing first, start up your computer - then keep pressing F8 until an options menu pops up, it should give you an option to star in certain modes. i think you should start in safe mode, ( if not just try others,) then, at the login screen, there should be an option to choose a user called 'ADMINISTRATOR' this should have no password protect on and you ashould be able to login using this user. Then go to control panel - users - and remove the password from your current admin, then shut down and restart normally and your user should not have a password on. This should work as ive used it many times. Kyle

Answer 4

Hi There,

If the Admin pswd in question is about the Admin User account, then:
..Restart the system in Safe mode ( Tap on F8 as you press the power button to get the option for safe mode) and then login as Admin without any password.
..Go to Control Panel and User accounts and reset the password.

If this doesn't help..Contact any local tech for the data backup and then Reinstall the OS. ( Don't try to do the dirty reinstall, please)
----*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*----
If the Admin Pwd is when starting the system or the BIOS password, then:
..Shut down the system.
..Open the system tower. (Make sure you keep the power button pressed for 8-10secs after you disconnect the Power cable to remove FLEA power before opening the system).
..Remove the Battery from the MotherBoard.
..Wait for 10-15secs
..Reseat the Battery.
..Close the system tower and restart the computer normally...


Hope this helps....

Arash Shirali

Answer 5

Steps to recover data from an old computer:

1) Download Knoppix (bootable linux cd/dvd)
2) Change your boot order defined in the computer's BIOS to boot to CD/DVD before the Hard Drisk (HD drive). This can be done by pressing the F1/Del/F2, etc key during boot (I'm sure you've seen the Press 'Key' to enter setup, and if you only see a logo when you boot, press the 'Esc' key to show this)

Once you have Knoppix on a CD, you can boot off the CD and view any files located on your hard disk.

Answer 6

Try booting in Safe Mode and logging in to the hidden admin account. The manufacturer can tell you the password if you phone them.

Answer 7

Phone your supplier eg Dell or Packard Bell etc
They will give you a way around it, this happend to me many years ago aswell and i phoned the manufacteror adn got my problem fixed. I know this is a short and very un-helpful answer but this side of computing isnt realy my area of expertise. sorry

Answer 8

There is a bootable floppy image available somewhere that allows the resetting or removal of admin password.

It's free, try
http://sourceforge.net/
or
http://www.sysinternals.com/

Can't remeber what it's called, so search the above for Windows admistrator password reset etc.

Answer 9

i use administrator with a pass word, i was told to put the computer in safe mode, if i forgot my password, it need be repaired by shop where i brougth my laptop

Answer 10

Try this site:
Windows Password recovery
http://www.loginrecovery.com

Answer 11

You're just trying to hack your kid's PC aren't you?