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change local admin password from Domain

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by mtnsqs 1 view

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I have a NT4 server (SP 5) which is NOT a PDC or BDC - i.e. member server. Someone has reset the local Admin password (many users had local admin rights to the box as it is a development box). I can log onto the box using the domain admin passwrod, from the domain but if I change the admin password this way it changes the domain one not the local one. How do I change the local one?

Also my personal user name and that of several others are supposed to be able to log on locally ot the box (not the domain) but whenever any of us try it says invalid password. I.e. if I select on the logon on screen the local machine (DEV1) instead of the doamin it rejects the logon

We need to solve this for a number of reasons - I curently have lophtcrack running on it but I have a feeling that is only going to find the domain passwords not the local one.

I know I can do it by loading another copy of NT and fiddling registry etc, but I was hoping that there is an easier way since I can access the box as domain admin

Thanks in advance
Any ideas?? - we don't want to destoy the box

3 replies

by stillatit

This will work if and only if the domain admin group was made part of the local administrator group on the box.

Log on to your PDC with an account in the domain admin group.

Start user manager for domains.

Click the File manu and Select Domain.

In the box type \\machinename and hit Enter, where machinename is the actual name of the machine. If you have the rights, you will then be editing the local SAM on the box.

Change the passwords and user rights as needed.

If this doesnot work, try the utilities at www.sysinternals.com. They have a way to boot from a floppy and reset a password.

Good luck.

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