Semi-senile IT guy forgets Admin Password

[RoundGuy]

We're trying to get Administrator access on a PC in our office. Our IT guy has no idea what he used as a password. What are our options? Please, please don't tell me we're screwed. Using Windows XP Professional.

[BiPolar_Nut]

There are plenty of downloadable boot floppies and cd's that have password blanking functionality. Google is your friend. (3rd result lists free tools at the bottom of the page)

[RoundGuy]

Thank you for your "edited" response. My first google search was taking me to sites from which I wasn't sure I wanted to download anything.

See, Bipolar, that's why us tech-illiterate moron poker players come here!

[nuclear500]

You need to get a BartPE CD. It will let you boot into a Pre-execution Environment and let you add administrators or change the administrator password directly.

Adding an administrator and then logging in with that is the preferred method, that way the normal Windows SAM can keep anything encrypted intact when you change the normal admins password.

[SamIAm]

[ QUOTE ]
that way the normal Windows SAM can keep anything encrypted intact

[/ QUOTE ]
He's right; I do like to keep encrypted things intact.

Just a general question for CTH (not trying to say anything directly about RoundGuy): How can we be sure these question about cracking passwords the user forgot aren't just theft? Like that yahoo question, where I asked what the lost security question was, and he never answered? That post a few days ago about the laptop stolen from a frigging SCHOOL was over the line; I don't want this forum to be a theft-aid, but I'm not sure how non-thieves can prove their non-theivedom.
-Sam

[Freakin]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
that way the normal Windows SAM can keep anything encrypted intact

[/ QUOTE ]
He's right; I do like to keep encrypted things intact.

Just a general question for CTH (not trying to say anything directly about RoundGuy): How can we be sure these question about cracking passwords the user forgot aren't just theft? Like that yahoo question, where I asked what the lost security question was, and he never answered? That post a few days ago about the laptop stolen from a frigging SCHOOL was over the line; I don't want this forum to be a theft-aid, but I'm not sure how non-thieves can prove their non-theivedom.
-Sam

[/ QUOTE ]

unfortunately i think we have to trust unless he have a strong reason not to...

[kerowo]

I think we are powerless against the smart theives and are doomed to just mock the stupid ones. Do you want to get notified of the stupid ones?

[Meech]

I don't think it's possible to discern intent on a pseudo-anonymous internet forum.

[SamIAm]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it's possible to discern intent on a pseudo-anonymous internet forum.

[/ QUOTE ]
It is when the [censored] says "This laptop was stolen from a school." [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you want to get notified of the stupid ones?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes please.

[RoundGuy]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it's possible to discern intent on a pseudo-anonymous internet forum.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, when I first posted, I felt it was likely that I wouldn't get an answer. Thus, the subject line. I was hoping it would sound more reasonable than "HeLp me rUlz my scOOlz!!!

Thanks for the trust. However, several attempts using EBCD-Lite have failed, so I'm resorting to re-installing windows at this point.