What is Digg?96 Comments
- templest, on 10/12/2007, -1/+36"How to gain access to a Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 computer if you forgot the administrator's password?"
Translation:
"How to gain access to a Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 computer you shouldn't have the administrator password for." - transeunte, on 10/12/2007, -0/+22> BUt an admin forgetting their password is like a CEO forgetting to wear pants.
That does it, I'm calling the Analogy Police. - p9s50W5k4GUD2c6, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21Try "admin" ;)
- SoulMaster2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18lordthor:
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/5616/theyallsuck5qm.jpg - wallclimber, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14Use a Knoppix Live CD to access your Windows drive and retrieve whatever personal files you need (supposing you hadn't already backed them up), then just clean off the old system and do a fresh install.
As for forgetting passwords, in the future try using the first letters in a phrase, or a long song title. It doesn't make the BEST passwords, but it at least keeps people from using stupid passwords like "password" or "admin", or common dictionary words. They will also be easier to remember. One example might be: etirirpfh It's easy to remember if you know the first line of the old song "Pennies From Heaven". When it's time to type in your password, you just hum a few bars. :o)
Even if you have to keep a written version of the whole phrase on hand so you can remember it, at least it won't be a sticky note that says: Password: xxxxxxx so everyone knows what it's for.
It ain't fool proof, but it's better than no password at all, or passwords that can't be remembered, or are too easily guessed by outsiders.
Good luck with gaining access to your system again... - templest, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14You know the sentence right after the one you quoted is,
"However I don't think this approach will help you, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here reading this article, would you?"
I mean, you RTFA, right? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+18I love this...
"One method of gaining access to the system is by trying hard to remember the forgotten password"
First, that has probably been tried already and hence the reason one would get on the Internet and post a question or submit a question to a "Leo Laporte" type.
Second, it is a faulty way to try to recall the password. By "trying hard" you are likely to become stressed, which actually impairs memory. Imagine a time when you just couldn't remember something and became frustrated, then later, when the frustration (and stress response) subsided, it came to mind. - WrecksTXP, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12"How to gain access to a Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 computer if you forgot the administrator's password?"
Or never knew it in the first place? ;)
(oh man, templest beat me lol.) - Tyrel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Oh, I don't know... maybe because then you could just take that CD to any Windows computer in the world and reset the password? That might be a good reason for Microsoft to not do that. Despite what people say, they do actually try to do some security, you know.
- rasterbator, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16If you forget an adminstrator password, then you are not loggin into the system enough, ergo you don't deserve the admin rights. I reset passwords for users forgetting or mistyping their password, and tell them to login and change the password that I set for them (based on our password policy). BUt an admin forgetting their password is like a CEO forgetting to wear pants. It just shouldn't happen (for lots of reasons). ;-)
- moisie, on 10/12/2007, -3/+12Reinstall.
- chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9"safe mode still requires the admin password to login"
Not for a default / vanilla install of XP Home. With XP Home "Administrator" has no password.
Now that's Microsoft security for you. And did they think it was a massive security hole when they set that as a default? Sure they did, after all XP Pro requires setting the password during install. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8In Soviet Russia password guess YOU!
- cryptoknight, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8i have always used this
http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/
it is very straight forward and has always worked like a charm for me.
Just make sure to reset the password to blank
Tested on: NT 3.51, NT 4 (all versions and SP), Windows 2000 (all versions), Windows XP (all versions, also SP2), Windows Server 2003 (at least Enterprise). - netnifty, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9I'm fairly sure safe mode still requires the admin password to login.
- repentantfan, on 03/25/2008, -0/+5Actually, XP includes a way to create a "password reset" disk. Use User Accounts via Control Panel. Most people forget this. It requires you to create it beforehand, meaning you have to remember where you hide the disk.
- MegaSilver, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8> Try "admin" ;)
Hey, how did you figure out my password? - JalenJade, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Why go through all that trouble? If you've already made a Ultimate Boot CD using Bart's PE Builder you're set, just boot off that and create a new administrator account or change the password of the existing one.
- evizaer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3How did this article make it to the front page? It's short, not particularly useful, and when it gets to the one thing that I didn't know, it links to some other page that explains it!
Am I missing something? - burke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Ophcrack is fun too. It guessed my admin pass 15 seconds after it finished booting (which, admittedly took a couple of minutes.)
- cryptocom, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4much quicker way....undocumented by MS as well....on XP, simply open the case and switch processors. this will not only disable the Windows password, but also any BIOS password. trust me....try it.
:) - DiamondIce, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3While I can't comment on Linux and it's WiFi support I can say that the rest of your post is blatantly false. In fact the only part of your post that is true is the part about fixmbr resetting the default windows boot loader.
Perhaps you should actually install and use some flavour of Linux before you comment on it. Try Ubuntu, it's a good distro and seems more along the lines of your level of technical knowledge.
Out of the box Ubuntu will let you:
Use a wide range of WiFi cards (supposedly, I don't have a wifi card so that statement is hearsay)
Configure your monitor (more so then windows)
Use Linux based alternatives that are as good, if not better then, most of the utilities you used on windows
access your NTFS partitions (writing to NTFS is experimental, this means it SHOULD work but noone's saying that you won't mess up the partition somehow.)
Run many multimedia files
With a little tweaking Ubuntu can:
Automatically mount NTFS drives at boot (with access restrictions to prevent accidental screw ups)
play nearly all multimedia files, including MP3's. In fact the only MM file i can think of that Linux doesn't play is shockwave.
Your post was a blatant troll and hopefully I've addressed it in the most civil way possible. - dvdd127, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3This is why I dont set passwords...cause I always forget them.
- DiamondIce, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2remember the days of windows 98? all you had to do is hit escape and you had full access to the comp.
- jgclark123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@p9s50W5k4GUD2c6
"admin"? That's the kind of password some idiot would put on his luggage! - MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Its dugg down because you obviously didnt understand the problem.
If you forgot the admin password, you obviously couldn't start in safe mode and log into the admin account.
Typically however (and especially so in Home Edition) there will be more then one account with administrator priviliges. Using safemode may then be used to access the default administrator account which by default has no password.
If the default account has a password or it's the only admin account then this way wont work.
Ultimately, without the need for hunting down any software or any passwords, a "Re-Install" + "going into safe mode and redoing the ntfs security on the passworded folders and files" will give you back complete access to the system, leaving the file system intact, but clearing the registry.
This is the "just make it work" solution as opposed to some miraculous or nefarious hack. All you need is your windows cd.
There i said it. - DigeratiPrime, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3there are also livecd's that can reset and crack the passwords...
reported as old news... - Lazybones, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That link WAS included in the article.
Anyway that is what I use as well.. Has worked many times for me over the years. Great when you have a machine that can't authenticat you on the domain and the local password is unknown because it was built years ago and forgotten. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4yes, im not quite sure why my comment is dugg down. if you lost your password in xp, reset in safe mode, go to the admin profile, and reset passwords through there, i've done it before
- Plezops, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Instead of readin the article you could use Astrumi with nt_pass (reset or redifine the password for any local user, including the admin)... or you could remember your password...
Its easy as pie - Dimensio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1How would safe mode enable me to alter my password? I am still prompted for a password when entering safe mode.
- mkpeaches, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1nvm
- Dimensio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Before you uninstall Linux from a dual boot system, which you will certainly want to do once you find out Linux won't run WiFi,"
This statement is false.
"let you configure your monitor settings,"
This statement is false.
" access files from your NTFS partition, "
This statement is false.
"run many multimedia files,"
This statement is false. In fact, I have had less difficult playing a variety of multimedia files under Linux than I have under Windows; a number of Quicktime files that refused to play under the offical player (updated to the latest version) worked without incident using mplayer under Linux.
"or use most of the cool utilities you have become accustomed to downloading from the net, legally, for free,"
This statement is meaningless without context.
"No troll, just fact."
I believe that you have mistyped "factual error". - Dimensio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"yes, im not quite sure why my comment is dugg down. if you lost your password in xp, reset in safe mode, go to the admin profile, and reset passwords through there, i've done it before"
In the event that I do not recall my Administrator account password, I will not be able to "go to the admin profile" in safe mode, because doing so will require that I enter my Administrator password. - MaxSand, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It named itself "Administrator."
- Lazybones, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You must have a very poor password. Do you use real names or words in your password?
- ACalcutt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1do you mean Lophtcrack...or is that a different program
*Googles*
edit... oh...it is a differnt program...cool
http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/ - yahoofrom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I told you. Next time, save your passwords in long term memory.
- Jessehk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1>> How to gain access to a Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 computer if you forgot the
>> administrator's password?
I don't know. You tell me. - Chovee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1this brings back memories of Kevin Rose as the darktipper. knoppix std is a fine way to handle this. this is truely the lamest story on digg ive seen in a week
- asdfer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Nice!
Would you care to tell us what your password is?
We need your ATM card too. - Dimensio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"It is true, with certain obsolete, expensive, or unpopular WiFi cards, Linux can supposedly be cajoled into working. Maybe... If you're lucky... sometimes."
This statement is a gross misrepresentation of the WiFi support available in Linux. Either you have not studied the actual WiFi support available, or you are not being honest.
"With enough "tweaking" (measured in months), desktop Linux (Ubuntu) can be eventually configured. It's just not worth the time."
Again, this statement is false, and suggests that you have never actually attempted to configure a Linux desktop. Conventional, "user-friendly" desktop managers such as Gnome and KDE can be configured as easily as a Windows desktop. More "power user" level desktop environments, such as icewm, require more in-depth tweaking, however such tweak time is measured in minutes, not months. You are again demonstrating a lack of experience or a lack of honesty.
"Illegal codecs can be used for certain media files, but specific step-by-step setup information is difficult to get, or impossible due to legal issues."
I am aware of no "illegal codecs" employed by mplayer. Mplayer uses legally available open source codecs written for Linux and legally available closed-source Windows binary codecs. I was unaware that Quicktime codecs, distributed with the free Quicktime Player, were illegal to obtain. Again, you demonstrate that you either have no experience in managing such matters, or you are not being honest.
The codecs that I use are also not difficult to obtain -- which is not surprising, as they are not illegal. All required codecs for mplayer are readily available from the Mplayer HQ website at http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design6/news.html
"Yeh, you can configure your video card to stand on it's head, and probably will - while trying to get it to function properly. But who wants to?"
Obtaining full functionality from my video card in Linux required no less hassle than obtaining the same functionality in Windows. You are again presenting a scenario that is not representative of reality.
"Some users have actual data on their NTFS partitions, and would like it to stay safe, rather than mucking around with some geek toy at the possible expense of losing years of irreplacable work."
Again, you demonstrate no knowledge whatsoever regarding NTFS partition access in Linux. I am able to access my NTFS partition under Linux with no risk of data loss whatsoever.
"Linux, and the majority of programs used on it are written by hobbyists."
You referenced "free" and "legally available" tools for Windows. Many such tools are also written by hobbyists.
"If they could organize, settling on one or two versions of Linux,rather than hundreds, maybe they could accomplish something, However, being rebellious, counterculture in nature, and generally adverse to sunlight, any consolidation among Linux developers is unlikely."
I do not deny that the lack of coordination and cooperation under Linux developers has stunted the platform's potential to the typical desktop user, however you have exaggerated and in some cases fabricated issues regarding its setup and usage. It is clear that either you have never actually used Linux, or you are not being honest regarding your experiences. - mkpeaches, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1oops meant to edit ^ not reply
lol - MaxSand, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1ImTheDarkcycle suggested Safe Mode, which I thought was ludicrous, but I tried it and it worked. I'm using XP Pro and I have the only account (as administrator) on the computer. When I booted into Safe Mode I was given the option to access my account, and it also gave the option to access a new administrator account. I changed the password by using the heretofore nonexistent administrator access.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Why? Recovering and/or changing the admin password is pretty trivial. This article is OLD as hell.
- ACalcutt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I use this at work all the time...it works great....
- Haydre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That would imply that you miraculously had a second processor that fit the same socket, which most people who would forget their admin passwords don't.
- spectre_25gt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here's a problem, though. The functionality is available from inside windows (as pointed out by cdarsey) as well as via third party programs. It's not a security issue. Physical security needs to take over at this point..
- Ssullivan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm sure I’ll get dugg down for this but this is OLD OLD news... resetting a windows administrator password is so trivial.
- xswag, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I saw that someone already mentioned ophcrack on Sourceforge. I've used that with success a few times. Very handy disk. I give that method my vote. http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/
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