XP password

[burnage bowler]

My laptop is memory dumping on start up, i have tried to restore but can't get to the boot screen, i have used ERD commander and it is telling me the graphic drivers is at fault, but it still won allo me to do a system restore.

So after trying everything put the xp disc back in to try and restore but when i do it ask for the administrator password but i never installed one on instalation, is there a default password ??

[hoggy952]

1. Restart the computer.
2. In the Welcome to Windows dialog box, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
3. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type an incorrect password in the Password box, and then click OK.
4. In the Logon Failed dialog box, click Reset. The Password Reset Wizard starts. You can use the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password for your local account.
5. On the Welcome to the Password Reset Wizard page, click Next.
6. Insert the password reset disc into the CD drive, and then click Next.
7. Type a new password in the Type a new password box, and then type the password again in the Type the password again to confirm box.
8. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint for the password, and then click Next.
9. Click Finish, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

If you were able to reset your password and are now able to log on successfully, you have resolved the issue, and you are finished. If you are still unable to log on, try method 2. Method 2: Log on as an administrator to reset the password

If you did not create a password reset disk, you may be able to log on as an administrator to reset a forgotten or expired password. The steps to do this differ if the computer is a stand-alone computer or a member of a workgroup of two or more, or a member of a domain. Select the appropriate set of steps from the following to try to log on as the administrator to reset the password. Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional

To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, try the following steps.

1. Log on as an administrator.
   
   1. Restart the computer.
   2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE two times, and then type the name of the administrator user account.
   3. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.
      
      Note If the administrator password is set to a blank password, do not type a password before you click OK.
   
   
2. Reset the password.
   
   1. Click Start, and then click Run.
   2. Type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
   3. On the Users tab, click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for, and then click Reset Password.
   4. Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK.
   5. Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

If you can log on as an administrator to reset your password and you can now log on successfully, you have resolved the issue, and you are finished.
hope it works
regards hoggy

[burnage bowler]

Hoggy,

Thanks for the info but i cant get the laptop to boot to a log screen, it doesn't normally boot to a log on screen just goes strait to the desk top, i am trying the erd commander and see if that will reset the admin password,

[hoggy952]

have you got your windows xp cd and is it bootable,if you have then I will tell you how to do another way.

[burnage bowler]

cant even get the erd commander to load properly now, i have got the original xp pro cd, tried loading that to do the repair but that when i get stuck for the password.

[hoggy952]

try this
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).
13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

[burnage bowler]

Hoggy,

Got to number 6 but the only options are,
1. Set up windows press enter
2. Create a partition press C
3. Delete partition press D

[hoggy952]

what happens when you press enter on setup,

[burnage bowler]

It states;

installing multiple operating systems on a single partion is not recommended, To learn more visit microsoft etc etc,

To continue set up using this partition, press C

To select a different partition, press esc.

[hoggy952]

sorry mate but were stuck,heres a link that will help you but I think they charge.
http://windowspasswordforgot.com
sorry could not sort it out.

[burnage bowler]

Thanks for your efforts Hoggy,

I just re-booted and it gets to the windows logo with the blue bar going from left to right and does nothing, i will keep searching but if all else fails it may be time to flatten it and start again.

thanks for all your help.

[hoggy952]

hie burnage
just found a free software that may do the trick
Ophcrack
its called ophcrack and its a free windows password cracker
just download and try it good luck
regards hoggy

[burnage bowler]

Thanks Hoggy i will give it a whirl.

[unadkat]

Thanks Hoggy i will give it a whirl.

the theory posted by Hoggy above definetly works mate

you must be doing something wrong. I have used the trick before in the past and its worked wonders.

[annyyu22]

I hope this can help you.last month my sister meet the same problem,and then we solved it as follow.There is a way to reset the password and it doesn't involve reformatting and reunstalling Windows. The solution is called Windows Password Key 8.0. It is the most popular and safe solution for resetting your Windows password until now. You can down it from: Windows Password Recovery | Lost Windows Password | Windows Password Reset | Forgot Windows Password