Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Logon - No Administrator Password ?!?

0 helpful
12 replies

by daimon

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

I seem to be having a problem with my newly inherited "NT/Win2000 Server". Unfortunately, prior to my employment the previous Admin had left to live the sweet life in Thailand.
My problem being I have a server with 40 machines hanging off it. I have NO Password for Administrator access, and none of the employee logins is granted "Console Access", so short of a format which will be costly and time consuming (in terms of the company), I would like to know if there is some way to find a 'backdoor' into Win2000 Server with Administrator access?
Sorry, this is probably an easy question, but I've been landed with this problem and I have a network full of viruses and servers with no passwords to fix.
Thx

12 replies

by tduval

You can even re-install over existing server, you won't loose (theoriticaly) any application, and you'll be prompted for a new admin password.

Or, you can find a password cracker, at
http://www.mirider.com/

** remove spaces from url **

by daimon

Unfortunately, the url provided only provides a program that will cost my company $$$. Re-installation could be an option, I've used it before for other problems but I can't take the risk on this machine as I have no further information on it, I have never personally logged into this machine and the previous Admin is no longer findable to my knowledge. I am pretty sure this machine has never had a backup done so I'm not going to risk company documents etc that might be saved on it unless I absolutely have to... any other suggestions that don't cost or risk significantly ? :)

by daimon

re-installs and possible password programs that cost money aren't options I can take at this time. As I am relatively new to this company and I have never personally logged into, or dealt with this machine I can not say what is on it or what status it is in... but I bet it has one heck of an uptime.
I need an option which won't risk the possible files/programs installed or cost the company money, at this stage atleast, if possible!! :)

by daimon

Unfortunatley this didn't give me any joy. I was kind of worried about just switching off the server too many times and trying again and again.
I have a nasty feeling we have more than one installation of Win2000, Possibly 3!!
Someone has disabledthe "Shutdown" button on login. *Sigh*

by winterfrost

I have had some success with Rob V.O.'s suggestion above. Probably about 80% work properly. I did have at least one instance where it went bad, however, so beware.

On the bright side, as suggested by tduval, you can always re-install and regainaccess to the files, even if it does mean that you might have to rebuild accounts/domain info and go desktop-to-desktop... oi...

And finally, speaking of domains, the bootdisk suggested by Rob V.O. will not work on a domain controller. Or at least, not without additional help. Check out this link: http://www.jms1.net/nt-unlock.html

by winterfrost

Oh, and as a final note: I fully understand your "no cost" approach. I have dealt with many, many, many 'cost conscious/technology ignorant' clients. However, sometimes it is better to bite the bullet. Consider that if some any of these procedures go bad, you could be looking at *dozens* of lost hours of productivity... not just for you, but for the entire company, in getting things back on their feet.

Though it can still be painful to explain to these people that it's worth $200 to save yourself $20,000 in lost productivity...

by daimon

Unfortunately, the "No Cost" approach is enforced as I work for a government enterprise in the Lao PDR. We don't have the money to go spending it on things like that... but, if I can't get any more suggestions I guess a re-install will do... howeverthink I'll go Win2003, we have that here already... not sure how though..?
Any more suggestions ?
By the way, thanks for the link, it was actually quite good...but without more information on the machine itself and what exactly it contains I'm a little hesitant to follow through with everything... I've asked the entire staff to back up their files to their own machines in the meantime!!

by Member 34603486

The following is a tried and tested method on win2k and NT, all you need is an account to login with.

1) Search the net for pwdump.exe (There is one for NT and one for win 2k. pwdump is a freeware utility that dumps password hashes to a text file.

2) Run dictionary cracker or brute force cracker (L0phtCrack is the best and a trial version is available free, just search the net) on text file. Basically the cracker will encrypt combinations the same way windows does until it fines a match.

3) Bingo

by daimon

Unfortunately all "console access" has been removed except for Administrator Login.
I managed to find L0phtCrack but it wouldn't work for me, and I couldn't find pwdump.exe with a websearch.
Any more suggestions?

by daimon

Ok, another comment:
The machine as it stands has no "Shutdown" button as it has been disabled, thus making reboots difficult and risky to the data and machine.

The machine may have multiple installations of Win2000p.

The machine has had ALL console login privelidges removed with the exception of "Administrator" login.

So far my attempts have proved to be fruitless in gaining access... should no one have any further suggestions I will attempt a reinstall, but I am hesitant due to the extra problems which this will cause me... for starters the network has been setup badly and I'm physically going to have to fix each machine *doh!*

More ideas/comments/suggestions/whisky?

This discussion is closed to new replies.