Administrator password

tranmererovers

I have just set up a new laptop for a friend and went to transfer files from her old computer onto it for her.

I noticed that her AVG was way out of date on the old one so downloaded the new version and set about uninstalling the old version. A reboot was required to complete the uninstall at which point the computer would no longer load.

It gets to the welcome screen and then reboots and will not even load into safe mode

I put in the XP CD to try and do a repair and it is asking for an administrator password. We have tried a number of possibilities to no avail.

I don't want to reinstall the OS as I have not got the files off it yet

Any suggestions as to my next move gratefully received

rdpro

google 'hiren's boot cd' and burn to a disc. Boot from it - it has a password reset program that can blank any admin passwords. You can also boot to the Mini XP on it, and back up files with that

tranmererovers

rdpro wrote: »

google 'hiren's boot cd' and burn to a disc. Boot from it - it has a password reset program that can blank any admin passwords. You can also boot to the Mini XP on it, and back up files with that

:j Thanks rdpro. I'll give that a go.

Donnie

No need for a sledgehammer at this stage.

Try this: Offline NT Password and Registry Editor

rdpro

pretty sure that's the prog on the cd

Donnie

It also has Kon-Boot. Anyway, no need for an 185MB download in order to get into Windows.

Jesuswu

freeware there are Offline NT Password and Registry Editor or ophcrack.
But both of them are not easy for new user.
If both of them doesn't work, try Windows Password Reset Standard.
Easier but not free.

Donnie

Jesuswu wrote: »

freeware there are .............

As a money saving website we prefer free, so take your advertising(SPAM) elsewhere.

imaginarynumber

Another very easy to use program is spotmau powersuite. it will boot the pc/reset passwords/change partitions/recover data/clone/etc

It offers many of the features of the (excellent) Hiren but has a more user friendly interface.

Not free but they claim to have a 30 day no quibble money back guarantee.

http://www.spotmau.com/products/package/full.htm

They offer post sales support claiming a 1-2 hour email response time.

tranmererovers

Thanks, I have used the ultimate boot cd for windows and sucessfully blanked the admin password. Now got the BSOD So just waiting for her to find her XP disc so I can attempt to do a repair.

imaginarynumber

Does she have an xp disc or is it a OEM image???

If the latter it will just wipe the machine.

There are some poeple who go to piratebay.org and download copies of xp (VLC versions). They are very naughty and might go to hell but I have some sympathy for them. After all they paid for a (OEM) copy of xp that has reduced functionality. With the dodgy version they are able to do a repair installation of xp without losing any info.

(Perhaps) the more honest ones then back up all that they want to keep and then use the crappy OEM factory image to set the pc back to day one, that way they have all of the requisite (un-updated) drivers and a trouble free serial number.

Alternatively one could use a linux live cd to access the hard drive to enable one to save the files and then use the OEM xp