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  • #2271834

    Breaking a software password

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    by hafiz_hassan_82 ·

    How can i break through a software password?
    Is any software related to this issue?
    Please help me regarding this matter..

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    • #2588992

      Clarifications

      by hafiz_hassan_82 ·

      In reply to Breaking a software password

      Clarifications

    • #2588988

      Some Simple steps to take

      by w2ktechman ·

      In reply to Breaking a software password

      First, contact the SW company that you need to obtain the PW for.
      Otherwise, take it to a shop, or if it is a work system and you have an IT staff, have the technicians break it for you.

      If none of these work for you, then follow my second post very closely. It is a crack into a system, and should not be used for any reason.

      • #2588987

        Cracking into a Windows based system

        by w2ktechman ·

        In reply to Some Simple steps to take

        Please read my previous message first. This is a crack into a computer and its files and folders. However it is not meant to get into protected files (such as encrypted, or alternate installed SW (3rd party).
        This is only intended as a guide. Please check out the laws in your area before attempting to crack into someone elses sysem. I cannot stress this enough. Continue at your own risk!!! Dont forget, it is not too late to back out and reconsider (best option)!

        Ok, Cracking a Win 2k/XP administrator PW and name (and enabling the account if disabled). This will gie you full access to the system with unlimited permissions. If you are told that you do not have permissions, you can GRANT YOURSELF permissions, as this is a SUPER USER account.

        First, you will need some HW and basic tech skills.
        1. Antistatic wrist strap
        2. Iron or Steel rod 3/4 to 1 foot long and 1/2 to 3/4 Inches round.
        3. Electrically cunductive gel
        4. A new spare HDD (within the last 3 years)
        5. A keyboard manufactured after 1997
        6. A grounding wire — up to 5 feet
        7. A set of screwdrivers (small) with both philips, flat head, and torx tips (or 3 small screwdriver sets)
        8. Small hammer (not required bu useful)

        Ok, before you begin, put on the antistatic wrist strap. I cannot stress this enough. Follow its instructions to ‘ground’ yourself. But later this will not be enough, you will use the grounding wire for the more intense part.

        Get your screwdrivers out, along with the spare HDD.
        open up the HDD. Note there will be screws under he labels. you can press down across the label to find the screw holes.
        You need to pull out PLATTER 1 (top) from the HDD, and the magnets need to be removed from this drive.
        Keep these handy.

        Start the computer, but do not attempt to log on. Press Ctrl — Alt — Del. Type in any random set of letters and/or numbers (not special characters though). You MUST do 13 characters though, this is the key. There is a ‘special’ ‘hidden’ 14th character that you will need to access.
        Use a small flat head screwdriver in between the P and O keys (funny story, they added it here for Override Password — see the humor?). They added a special chip under/beween these keys on all keyboards manufactured after 1997. This is a little known fact and very hard to obtain info (I can ge into big trouble for posing it if they find out who I am). If you are unsure about your keyboard age, look underneath it. I should have a manufactured date on a sticker. If you cannot tell, go get another keyboard.
        Back on point, use the screwdriver to ‘pop’ the chip. If you did not hear a pop, try again. It is a small chip that is directly under and between the O and P keys. I prefer using a small hammer with not oo much force here, but not using one should work fine.
        If you had 13 numbers and letters, you should see a 14th one flash quickly, but it is so quick that I rarely see it myself. The boot sequence may hang here. his is what should happen. Ok, power off the system.

        Open the case and unplug the HDD (boot drive if multiples exist). Then remove the drive, taking precaution against damage.

        Now with the boot HDD in one hand, grab the 1st platter from the spare drive. Place the platter underneath the boot drive (by the board and chipset). On the top, use BOTH magnets in a clockwise motion on the top of the boot drive. You must make at least 4 complete passes, but 6 is better. Since Win was told to ‘unlock’ the password (via boot characters above), it is free to replicate on all platters and ‘jump tracks’. That is why we need the platter underneath. And being the first platter means that it is the best possible platter to install it on.
        Now put he second HDD back together being careful not to damage it. This should be put back into your machine to keep the PW until later, but it is not needed right now.

        Ok, now is the tough part. We need to unlock the ADMIN account and reset it to administrator (if it was changed and disabled). To do this, on the boot drive look for where the platters all meet. There should be a screw or nut holding them all together. You need to ‘ding or dent’ very LIGHTLY on the top of the HDD case, away from the magnets and HDD heads. Some people like to put it at 180 degree from the arm for the heads. I should be visually dented, bu not interfere with the HDD operation.

        Now the HDD and Windows need o both be synchronized with this new PW mess that we created. The PW is probably floating around randomly on several platters. So install the boot drive back into the computer. Now get the small flat head screwdriver ready.
        Boot the computer (it may make a bit more noise than usual, but do not worry.
        OK, for a few seconds this should display on the screen “BIOS Revision” Look closely at the “S” in BIOS. Looks a bit off or not normal doesnt it (requires really close investigation, sometimes it has been reported that someone has to look through several boots to notice it). Ok, this S is a keyword for “Synchronise” after the PW unlocking. This gets triggered in the BIOS whenever the O and P keys were tampered with.
        Anyway, use the plathead screwdriver on the S on the monitor. To get it right, you may need to try several times. I suggest a couple of reboots to get setup properly.
        If this is an older monitor (CRT) you may want a small hammer to aid.
        Without too much force, you want to ‘punch’ the “S” in BIOS out. Quicly turn off the computer.

        Now for the final preperation before you obtain full access to the system You will need a good ground and to get out he grounding wire. Tie it to the computer case if another good ground is not close by. Bare about 1/3 feet of the other end and tie it around your ankle. USe the electrically conductive gel all around your hands and ankle (where the grounding wire is attached).

        This step may take several tries, but it will be well worth it when done properly.

        Turn the system on and very quickly plunge the metal rod into the power supply of the compuer. A small hammer to help may be needed. BUT be careful as not to plunge it too far, we are looking to get a ‘spike’ not destroy the computer.
        WARNING: Do NOT wear gloves!!! We need the extra grounding to do this properly, or else it may destroy the computer and put you at risk!
        If you did not feel a slight jolt (very slight), try again with a litle more force.

        Ok, when done properly, clean up. now restart the computer. At logon enter the username ADMINISTRATOR and for the PW type “P_W_R_E_C_O_V_E_R” and press enter. Yes, those are underscores.

        You now have full access to the system

        • #2588946

          listen to w2ktechman

          by triathlete1981 ·

          In reply to Cracking into a Windows based system

          because he knows what he’s talking about. i’ve done it tons of times. takes a while to actually get the whole thing done but it does work.

          good luck!

        • #2601586

          Don’t listen to this guy

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Cracking into a Windows based system

          he’s crackers.

          That anti-static strap is a waste of money.

        • #2601394

          All this listen / don’t listen stuff …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Cracking into a Windows based system

          Reminds me you forgot to mention the need for a group of Choirboys to help him.

        • #2635667

          worthy of a tech manual

          by midniteone ·

          In reply to Cracking into a Windows based system

          a classic deconstruction of the process and a copy should be found on everyone’s bookshelf in case of emergency

        • #2635999

          I have enough knowledge stored up

          by w2ktechman ·

          In reply to worthy of a tech manual

          to write a book. Unfortunately its all just jumbled around in there! :0
          And, I cannot decide where/how to start.

          And finally, a piece of work like this, where to file it? Under Cracking, troubleshooting, suicide, desruction, bad day, etc….

        • #2635865

          wherever you file it

          by midniteone ·

          In reply to I have enough knowledge stored up

          just don’t lose it. judging by what I’ve been reading about ‘the way things are’ and ‘the way things were’, I think you may need it again.

          many, many times…

        • #2620142

          For the most part, not likely

          by w2ktechman ·

          In reply to wherever you file it

          I am leaving support, and moving off of the Windows platform (I am down to 2 Win comps, and up to 4 Linux, 1 PC BSD comp.
          Going back to school in a few months as well, to retrain in an area that does not provide client side support, so I can leave Win altogether.
          As of now, I am out of IT, but still provide some services, usually as data recovery or something. Very little is troubleshooting.

        • #2620025

          hmm

          by midniteone ·

          In reply to For the most part, not likely

          I wish you well with the change, and with the going back to school – tried studying in my own time only to find that the ability to learn seemed to have deserted me!

          meanwhile, you’ve got me wondering where support people DO move on to – in fact, I feel a new discussion question coming on…

          cheers

        • #2618856

          For me

          by w2ktechman ·

          In reply to For the most part, not likely

          I moved on to more of a consulting for technology implementations. I work mostly on finding the right tool for the job, within certain requirements.
          This means that if SW is needed, and they want to consolidate several applications into a newer version that can do several, then I look into the best cost/performance. If they need special HW for a particular setup, I make recommendations.

          I am going to school soon for Wireless#, Wireless administration, Wireless security. After I get my certs, I am going to look for a new position implementing wireless solutions.

    • #2618765

      There are many possible tools

      by alpha-male ·

      In reply to Breaking a software password

      It depends on which software package you want to break into.

      For Windows operating systems, for example, there are tools like the Linux bootdisk that can re-write system hashes.

      For other apps, there are brute force crackers etc.

      Take a look here for some more information:

      http://www.lostpassword.com/

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