How can I reinstall Windows XP without the admin password?

Question

My sister has a virus on her computer and I want to reformat her harddrive and reinstall Windows XP.

When I go to boot from CD I get the screen where I can chose to Install Windows XP or Repair the current version. I hit R for repair and get to another screen which asks me which installation I want to repair. I select 1 for C:\WINDOWS.

After that it asks me for the administrator password, and it is not my sister's password. We tried that, we tried leaving it blank for the default, and nothing is working.

Is there an ACTUAL way around this? If my sister's (computer administrator) password does not work - who's password would it be?!

I'm very confused and frustrated - PLEASE HELP.

Answer 1

do you mean the windows Admin password, or a power or boot-up password? if its the windows what u can try to do is boot in safe mode (F8 during start-up then safe mode) usually you can get into windows without using the admin password, that will bring you to the Windows environment, from there just pop-in the CD and do a new install, since you say you have a virus, and i'm guessing your current virus scan doesn't catch it, then you want to do a new install rather than repair or upgrade. so you would choose new installation.

Answer 2

When you press "R" for repair during the install, it is bringing you to a fairly complicated "Recovery Console" that the average user needs not access.

To do a fresh install, do not hit the "R" for repair option. Just go through the regular install. A few pages later it will give you the option to format the drive. A quick format will do just fine, then just follow the prompts to do an xp install. Keep in mind that all the data she had on the computer will be erased after the format, and that you will need to reinstall drivers for all the hardware on the machine before it works properly.

Answer 3

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. The only way to reset your windows password 100% safe is to use a software called Reset Password Pro.

The software allows you to create a boot-disk, that can be made on a CD/DVD or USB stick. The boot-disk can then be inserted into any locked machine, and it's a simple case of pressing reset. Here is their official site: http://www.resetwindowspass.com

Answer 4

If your sister's account is Administrator and you can start windows you can reset admin password and try again.

If reset is not an option you can always choose not to use the recovery console. Continue installation without recovery console next step you have to choose a windows directory and you have option to recopy all windows files. This option will replace all windows files and don't delete other files. One of the drawback of this option is your virus infected files might still be there.

You will have one more option delete windows directory and install windows. This option will definitely remove virus but you have to reinstall all other software.

Best of luck

Answer 5

Repairing windows XP is not always a good idea. If i was you i would format and re-install that will guarantee that a fresh copy of everything is installed.

Answer 6

ok... if you can log on the computer.. there is a way u can change teh admin password without knowing the current password..

i don't know if u can log.. but if u can

go to control pannel (start>settings>control pannel)
click administrative tools > computer management > local users and groups > users >
u'll seee "dministrator"

right click on it.. and click set password.. type teh new password twice... then ok or accept.

reestart ur computer and u can login as administrator with teh password u just set.. that way you can format the computer and use teh password...

hope it helps.. good luck!

Answer 7

Reset Your Windows Password - http://tinyurl.com/NzNRfIYX2l