User password

[VexSilver]

So I have a problem. My aunt got a computer from my cousin, but theres a problem. My cousin forgot the user password and my aunt has no idea how to get into the computer. She asked me and she I tryed to get into the admins account, that was blocked too. Seems like my cousin changed the password for the admins account and forget that too.

So now we're stuck with this laptop and we can't even get into it. I tried that NT pw & reg thing and put the iso on a cd and try to go through that but it just doesn't work. Anyone have any ideas on how to get around this.

And no we have no recovery disk of anysort if that means anything.


Thanks~

 

[niemiro]

Are you sure you used the NT password tool correctly? It has worked for almost everyone else. Try it for both accounts, sometimes it takes several attemps, and under Vista you must remove the password, NOT change it. Would you like my instruction set?

Richard

 

[VexSilver]

Yes! Please any help will be good.

In truth, I dunno if I did do it correctly. I followed the readme in the iso. I saw a vid on youtube on the same program and try to follow it. When i got to that step where it asks you to press 1 (i guess step one) it says I have an error.

 

[niemiro]

Hi VexSilver,

HACKING IS ILLEGAL AND WRONG! IF THIS IS NOT YOUR COMPUTER, DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS! If this is your Windows password (when you try to log onto your account) rather than your BIOS password, go to: http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/ and click “Bootdisk” at the top. Scroll down to about half-way to the download page. Download the latest CD release and extract the zip file.

Install the HP tool included with this post, start it, and select a blank memory stick. Make sure ALL data is backed up, as the memory stick will be wiped. Select FAT and type a Voulume name if you wish. Check create a DOS start up disk, and select the downloaded CD image.

Once you have made your memory stick, boot into it (you may have to change your BIOS settings) and then follow the instructions in the walkthrough provided by the site. I have included a copy of this walkthrough as a Word document. I have also listed a summary of which buttons to press. Follow these instructions exactly. This will work from NT to Windows 7, and so many options do not apply to Vista, and you will do much damage in running them.

Here is the summary (and included at the bottom of the document) :

· Enter
· Select Windows partion using numbers then enter
· Enter
· 1 then enter
· 1 then enter again
· Enter account name then enter
· 1 then enter
· ! then enter
· q then enter
· y then enter
· n then enter

I would recommend following the walkthrough, and only using the summary to check you have not missed a step. I would recommend printing off the walkthrough, though you could have it on another computer screen.

If you still have problems, just post back.

Richard

 

[VexSilver]

Install the HP tool included with this post, start it, and select a blank memory stick. Make sure ALL data is backed up, as the memory stick will be wiped. Select FAT and type a Voulume name if you wish. Check create a DOS start up disk, and select the downloaded CD image.


I got my blank stick, I backed all my stuff up and made it clean, I downloaded that HP tool and set it to FAT and I just put vex as the name, but when I checked DOS start up disk and looked for the CD image , it won't find it. I put in the same path to the CD image I downloaded(cd080802.iso) and it says "There is no valid DOS system files at the specified location.".



What'd I do wrong?

 

[niemiro]

Open the iso file in your default viewer (such as the free 7zip) and drag the files on. This should still work, and do not worry about the HP tool.

Richard

 

[VexSilver]

I’m sorry it took so long to get back but this still isn’t working. I’ll try and show what I see so you can have an idea on what I’m seeing.

I get this message:

Candidate Windows partitions found:
1: /dev/sda2 34318MB BOOT
2: /dev/sda3 34004MB

Please select partition by number or
q = quit
d = automatically start disk drivers
m = manually select disk drivers to load
f = fetch additional drivers from floppy / usb
a = show all partitions found
l = show propbable Windows (NTFS) partitions only
Select: [1]




So I selected 1 but it tells me this:


Mounting from /dev/sda2, with assumed filesystem type FAT/VFAT/FAT32 and similar

Trying to mount FAT/ VFAT / FAT32 etc

Mount: mounting /dev/sda2 on /disk failed: Invalid argument
ERROR: Mount failed! Try select again or another?

Please select partition by number or
q = quit
d = automatically start disk drivers
m = manually select disk drivers to load
f = fetch additional drivers from floppy / usb
a = show all partitions found
l = show propbable Windows (NTFS) partitions only
Select: [1]


Now…if I select 2 it tells me this:

Selected 2
Mounting from /dev/sda3, with assumed filesystem type NTFS
So, let’s really check if it is NTFS?
Yes, read-write seems ok.
Mounting if. This may take up to a few minute:
Success!
=========================================================
¤ Step TWO: Select PATH and registry files
=========================================================
What is the path to the registry directory? (relative to windows disk)
[WINDOWS/system32/config] :


That’s where the problem starts with that. Nothing happens after. I get all this stuff like:

EXPAND [Ww] [Ii] [Nn] [Dd] [Oo] [Ww] [Ss]/[Ss][Yy][Ss] ect

What is the path to the registry directory? (relative to windows disk)
[WINDOWS/system32/config] :


So it loops it.


Any Ideas?

 

[VexSilver]

I have no idea where my problem is. The OS to the computer is Vista. Now which service pack (if that matters) thats beyond me.

 

[niemiro]

Hi,

Have a look at this website: Forgot the Administrator's Password? - Windows Password Recovery - Windows Password Reset

Sorry, but I cannot offer you any more help as I have been warned to stop teaching password cracking and hacking techniques.

Richard

 

[VexSilver]

*sigh* great for me...

Oh well I understand. For every person whos trying to do the right thing, theres always another trying to exploit it for something bad.


I'll find out if this website works. Thanks for your help!

 

[niemiro]

*sigh* great for me...

Oh well I understand. For every person whos trying to do the right thing, theres always another trying to exploit it for something bad.


I'll find out if this website works. Thanks for your help!

I am really sorry. Since the computer is from someone else, the chances are that a clean install will not make much difference. It will not take very long to do, and using the recovery partition will make it even faster if you have one. If you want any other sort of advice, I am very willing to help.

Richard