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Don't have an admin password for Win XP Pro - Help!

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17 replies

by ywota

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I'm locked out of my system and wanted to know 1) how to get back in 2)Why am I being asked for a password when I'm pretty sure I never set one up?

Here's what happened: When I tried to make changes to certain files, I'd get an error message that said I needed to be logged in as the admin (even though I was). So the other night, after much frustration, I went into computer-->manage-->users & groups and disabled the guest accounts and I believe I left the middle box checked in the administrator setting. So when I turned on my pc last night, lo and behold, I'm hit with a 'enter your password' prompt. But I don't have a password! (or I don't remember ever setting one, I typically turned on my system and I was in)

Can someone help? Most of the answers I found on the net said to try logging in safe mode (didn't work, I still got the password prompt) or doing a repair install with the xp cd (didn't work either, cos I was still getting the password prompt).

Thank you,

17 replies

by thumbsup2

Did you try just pressing OK leaving the password blank?

If that doesn't work, use another computer to look through the knowledgebase at Microsoft searching for creating an "administrator password reset boot disk/cd". I don't have time right now, or I'd track it down for you and give you the link to the instructions.

by maniacman

reinstall XP to create a fresh local SAM database. There are other ways to do this, but require expensive 3rd party software to do it, but due to our professional ethics of not providing password cracking info, I cannot disclose such information. I'm sorry, but I can't help you other than to tell you to blow away your system and reinstall. I hope you have a backup of your data, but if you don't, install XP into a separate folder, such as C:\WINXP, of the same hard drive and move the old data files over to the new installation path. Your hard drive should have enough room for a parallel install of XP to do this.

by davedxb

I do get the job DONE! :) Just a bit differently :> keepin gin mind

-costs
-reliability
-time

Guys..dont hate...joinem if u cant beatem.
I solved this problem in under 1 min without effecting the system whatso ever...u have any better ideas? pls sharem :)

by older mycroft

Beside your entry of Junior Manager, you forgot to input 'Buffoon & all-round Prat'!

by tig2

That is the right ticket, just point the guy to crapware.

I'm sure that he will thank you for all the garbage.

If he wants to fix his system, he will suck it up and do a full reload. But you? I'll remember you as the @sshole with the hotlinks to crapware.

Edit because I care

by computech911

Sysinternals has a CD bootable WindowsPE installation that has a lot of useful tools like autorun and system driver management, as well they have an admin password reset tool.

I believe this program is quite pricey but well worth the money if you do a lot of desktop support.

by davedxb

All software i post is legal and freeware under the GENU license...bla bla bla same license unix softwrae use...

so please dont call them cracks or ilegal software when u dont know what ur talking about.

I just make things simple for the novice user and just directly answer the questions to the point without explaing all the complicated background...

Im suprised to be hearing such comments from elder IT personal....sound liek over grown babies with limited direction to problem solving.

by older mycroft

Coming from the bloke with >16 months TR membership [u][b]and ONE THUMB[/u][/b] I find that comment rather hard to swallow!

by davedxb

I just dont understand what your trying to say here...

Dont post anything that not microsoft related????

Dont post ilegal or cracked software (never did that in the first place)

All these software links have been personaly used and tested by me....they were made by one small individual for free of use for the public. i see no reason why someone has to go throught lal the trouble in buying comercial software when u have really good freeware programs to use.

Please elaborate on what you mean,

by cg it

There are many "tools" available to reset the administrator's password on a Windows system. Some are free, some are not. These tools are widely advertised on the internet.

All one has to do is search.

So for those posters who come here asking, one has to ask the question, why. Why ask here when the tools are readily available by a simple internet search.

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