Off Topic - Need Computer Help please!

[flacustom]

This is not Alibre related but I know there are some very computer savvy folks on here and I really hope someone can help.

My 11yr old daughter decided to put a password on her Windows log-in to keep here sister off her computer (ah, sibling love) and of course she has forgotten it and we can not get into Windows. I am trying to avoid a complete Windows re-install and loss of data/programs that she has on there. First, I tried to open in safe mode but even in safe mode a window pops up before Windows loads and asks for a password. It has Compaq_Owner by default as the username. I then down-loaded NT password and registry editor on the advice of a computer forum relating to lost passwords. I ran it last night and went through it about five times but to no avail. I had the laptop on with the software's website instructional to follow along step by step, but when it came to the drive registry, the walkthrough instructions only showed how to deal with one partition (I am not sure if I am labeling this as a partition correctly) showing and to hit enter, which I did and followed through to the user and administrator list where on different attempts I used the option to move a guest up in authority to be an administrator, no go on boot up, next try unlocked the Compaq_Owner (listed as an administrator) and deleted any passwords associated with that user, again no luck on re-boot. Then on a subsequent attempt is where I noticed the second drive partition (again I am not sure if I am labeling this as a partition correctly) and I could not get that to accept any of the code commands that worked on the on the first drive/partition. It keeps asking for the path.

Anyone have a solution or ideas?

Thanks...Dusty

[wathavy4]

You can override Windows Administrator password provided that you could start up using Knopix CD-R boot starter.

[wathavy4]

① Knoppixを起動
② NTFSをマウント (書き込み可で)
③ マウントした C:\Windows\system32\config へ移動
④ mv SAM _SAM
⑤ 再起動し、Windowsを起動
⑥ Administratorのパスワードが空になっているはず。

I need to translate

1. Boot using Knoppix.
2. mount NTFS read and write.
3. CD to C:\Windows\system32\config
4. mv SAM _SAM ( renaming SAM file to other name than SAM)
5. Restart PC.
6. No more Administrator password.

The point is to access C:\Windows\system32\config\SAM file.
Deleting this file will reset Administrator's password.

Wohu.

[flacustom]

Thanks Toshi, I'll download Knoppix to a CD and try it tonight. Were you saying that by entering mv SAM_SAM that action renames the SAM file or do I need to rename it to something else? And I am guessing that the text you displayed in the box are the commands that I will be entering into code?

Thanks...Dusty

[JordanCClark]

In Linux, the mv command changes a file or folder name or performs a move.

Anyway, in Toshi's example: mv SAM _SAM renames the file SAM, where the security is stored, to _SAM, which is where the security is umm... not stored. It effectively resets the Administrator password (and all the other ones, for that matter )

Note there is a space between SAM and _SAM; just be sure there is one, and you'll be fine. Multiple spaces in this forum are treated as one, so it's rather hard to see. Also, you don't need to rename it to _SAM, just anything that is not called SAM (That SAM I am, that SAM I am... )

Hope this helps, Dusty!

Regards,

[flacustom]

Thanks Jordan,
But I do not like green eggs and ham, I will not eat them in a box, I will not eat them with a fox...unless of course that fox is a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model

[OTE_TheMissile]

I do not like green eggs and ham, I will not eat them in a box, I will not eat them with a fox...unless of course that fox is a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model

^^^likes the way he thinks

[flacustom]

Figures Mike would catch that one... nothing but fast cars and fast women for that kid, eh?

[OTE_TheMissile]

Cars yes, women...lemme tell ya, you don't live in Wisconsin for the women

EDIT: ...Wheras you, you lucky b_____d, are on the Florida coast


EDIT from Jordan: I edited Mike's edit to edit this a bit cleaner... edit. (I threw that one in for good measure...)

[flacustom]

Yes, but it does get rough here...



and... you have Milwaukee, the beer capital of the USA!

Doh! Here we go again, veering off topic of an Off Topic topic.

[ralf3]

Hi Mike:

...the beer capital of the USA
There is no beer in the states

[wathavy4]

Hey, the guy born from beer barrel, shouts.

[DavidJ]

Compaq_owner is an adminstrator, but uasully there is another account (which you can't usually see) which Windows sets up by default with a username of 'administrator' - the password is usually left blank (though I've sometimes seen it set to 'admin'). If this hasn't been changed try the following (I'm assuming Windows XP)

If you get a login prompt up just try typing in 'administrator' as the username - if you don't get the option to do this press Ctrl-Alt-Del (all three keys togetehr), then press them a second time - this should bring up an 'old fashioned' login box where you can enter 'administrator' as the username.

This method will work as long as the 'adminstrator' account hasn't been messed with - since most people don't know it is there, this is often a good bet.

Good look