Windows 2K Admin password lost

I have a Dell 510/610 laptop that I purchased a couple of years ago. I have never had the windows admin password. I do have a users password so the pc has been fully funtional. I would like to upgrade windows to XP but I don’t have rights to do so.
Is there a way to recover or reset the admin password without opening the laptop? I have read about shorting things out etc and I have no intention of ruiningthe pc by doing that.
I have tried creating a boot cd but they never boot.
Any help would be greatly appriciated.