Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Administrator gone and no Admin password

0 helpful
4 replies

by gale

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

MS SBS 4.53. The person that originally configured this network has left the area from what I can ascertain. The customer has 1 server and 4 PC's. Everything is functioning correctly from what we understand. The problem is they are moving to a new location and want us to transport and re-setup the network. Is there a way to add a user with Administrator rights, find out the password or is there a backdoor into the system? Any help would be appreciated. I have heard of apps that can read a password but The console is locked and we can't get in. Any help would be appreciated.
Gale Joy

4 replies

by joseph moore

This question is asked a lot. Here is my favorite answer:

Install an alternate copy of Windows NT on the server. Could even just be NT Workstation.
Boot up the alternate install.
Use Start / Control Panel / System / Startup to change the default boot instance to your original install.
In the original Windows NT folder, navigate to the \System32 sub-folder.
Save a copy of logon.scr, the default logon screen saver.
Delete logon.scr.
Copy CMD.EXE to logon.scr.
Shutdown and restartyour original install.
Wait for the logon screen saver to initiate. It will actually open a CMD prompt, in the security context of the local system account. Be patient, it sometimes takes several minutes for the command window to popup.
Type MUSRMGR, into the CMD prompt to execute User Manager, and reset the Administrator's password.
Delete the logon.scr from %SystemRoot%\System32.
Rename the saved default screen saver back to logon.scr.

Here is a web page on this:
http://is-it-true.org/nt/atips/atips262.shtml
(please remove any spaces)

by gale

I appreciate all answers to this question. However, the posted threads have been removed and I don't know what they say. The free software download server is offline. The installing of a new OS I don't think will fly with the customer. Still a possibility though. I am planning on splitting the points between you all or possibly adding more. They all seem to be valid answers however slightly time consuming. I have another question concerning a different issue that I am also going to post. Thanksfor your support, Gale.

This discussion is closed to new replies.