windows2000 - can't access

[mike22naar]

I am locked out from my home PC because windows password is needed and not known (PC was bought from 3rd party who got it at corp auction). As a result, I can't access Windows or my files.

Tried to go in SafeMode starttup but still requires Administrator password to login to Windows.

I know this sounds fishy, but I've been using computer for over a year and have all my files on it. I ran into ISP connection problems yesterday and in process of trying to find out what was wrong, I must have switched to "Administrator" user that requires password

Prior to yesterday, I automatically logged into Windows without being asked for any password.

Help - I'm stuck.

[Khalid Ali]

in simple words...you are screwed.Here
is the very straight forward option
First one is if you know the admin password, then login and change your acccounts password to something new and then log back in.
There may be few other options,depending upon how well versed you are in using DOS.

[zyex]

try the microsoft knowlege base....

http://support.microsoft.com/

:-)

[mike22naar]

[There may be few other options,depending upon how well versed you are in using DOS. [/B]

What would DOS steps be?

Also, what about getting new Windows disk and rebooting? What would that do to all my files, etc.

[Khalid Ali]

Here are few techniques or hacks whatever you call them.

if you don't remember the admin password as well then (this is for win2k since you did not mention your OS version)

1. using installation floppy disks(4 in total) run a re-install.
2. when get to the point after all disks are used,select the option to install windows( I think that you achieve by pressing "enter")
3.it will list a group of windows partitions wher eyou cna install.
4. typically the first one will be selected(assuming thats the installation where you have been locked out from)
5. select this partition and install on it.
6.it should give you a question that this partition already has a folder
C:\WINNT
choose a different folder or continue installation on the current folder.

if you want to save all of the settings which were on the first installation choose another folder it will ask you to name one...if you are only worried about the data then you can still use the current folder,since it will only over-ride the OS related files.
Once that is done you will be given another set of options where you can makle changes to file system.
select the option whre it says something like
"leave the current file system settings intact" (it should be selected by default)
and thenfollow other yes not options afterwards for installation.

There are some more solutions out there which may be used,one being (in my opinion the best freely available)
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

I hope this helps ..I know the frustration of losing a password.

[Daniel T]

there are some other options to the one that khalid suggested:

1. dont mess around with it, try to find a computer servicing shop in your neighborhood and see if they can do it for you. it will cost a little $, but you won't have to be worried about losing all your c drive. and if they screw your comp, you can always get a little $ from them

2. if you do not want to take this risk, you can always find a boot disk from the internet from a business computer at your workplace. try going to http://www.bootdisk.com/ they will probably have what you are looking for. they've saved me a couple of times, :D.

i hope these suggestions will help you out - DanieL