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Somehow I have managed to forget the password XXXXX I used when setting up the Admin account on my new Windows 7 computer. How can I get control of this account?
Already Tried: I have tried every combination of the letters that I used in the password XXXXXXX success.
Hello. Welcome to JustAnswer, a paid global support site.You will either need a CD-R disc and a CD burner or a USB stick with at least 512 MB on it (you will need to wipe the whole drive).Please go to http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/download.php?type=livecd
Once complete, shut down your machine and insert the CD-R to it.
Turn on your machine on, and at the computer brand (HP/Dell/Gateway) screen tap whatever key is displayed for Boot Options (usually is F12 for Dells and Esc for HPs).
Select to Boot To CD/DVD.
When it boots, select the Low RAM option. Then let the ophcrack boot up and then it should find the password XXXXX you (may take up to 30 minutes).
Once complete, shut down your machine and insert the USB to it.
Select to Boot To USB.
Thanks for your suggestions so far. Unfortunately, I have managed to download to USB stick and then re-boot my Packard Bell Dot s Netbook (running on Win 7), with the ophcrack utility, but the relevant passwords were "not found". Accounts NT Hash NT PwdAdministrator xxxxxxx emptyGuest xxxxxxx emptyAlan Jones xxxxxx not foundAnne Jones xxxxxxx not foundDot s Admin xxxxxx not foundI have made a record of the NT Hash code for the latter account (the one with the error password). Is this of any use in solving my problem? What else can I do?
Shut down your machine. Turn on your machine. As soon as it powers on, start tapping the F8 key repeatedly with a one second interval until you get to a screen called advanced startup options.When prompted, select Safe Mode with Networking.When it comes up, select Administrator to log in as.Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users -> right click on the user you need to change password XXXXX and select Set Password.After you can done this, reboot your machine and see if you can log in with the username of the password XXXXX have changed.Update me on the results.
Dear Mr Clark,I managed to get into safe mode OK, but when I got as far as "System Tools", all I could find listed was: Task Scheduler; Event Viewer; Shared Folders, Performance; Device Manager. There was no listing for "Local Users & Groups".I think we are close to sorting out my problem (using safe mode!); however, I need further directions on this. Please note that the OS in question is Windows 7 (Starter Edition).Many thanks in anticipation!Alan Jones
I did not know you had Starter Edition... It is the lowest tier of Windows 7 and does not include all the tools needed.Are you logged in as the Administrator user? If so, try going to Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts and see if you can change the passwords of the users there.To get out of Safe Mode, go to Start -> Restart/Log Off/Shut Down and reboot.
Mr Clark,No sir, my problem is that I cannot log in as an "Administrator", because I have failed to record the associated password XXXXX The only way I can log in is as a "Standard User". Obviously, I will need to get into the Administrator account ('Dot s Admin' in my case!), in order to make full use of my new netbook.Presumably, even with Win 7 (Starter Edition) there must be a way of recovering or by-passing the password XXXXX on the Administrator Account.Hope that you can assist with this ...AJ
If the Ophcrack did not work to extract the password (may take up to an hour or two) and you cannot log in with the generic Administrator account, I would suggest reinstalling Windows from scratch.I will opt out to see if any other expert can chime in to assist you.Good luck and Happy Holidays.
Dear Mr Clark,Presumably, the Ophcrack utility did not work because I am using the stripped down 'Starter Edition' of Win 7. Your suggestion of a complete re-installation of Windows seems a wee bit drastic (and expensive) on a brand new netbook - that came with its software pre-installed.Thank you for all your efforts on this issue [caused by my own stupidity!]. However,I would appreciate any help from your expert colleagues as you have indicated.Regards XXXXX XXXXX Christmas to you too!..........AJ