Topic: Vista Issue

[Smackintosh]

So, a friend gives me her laptop, hoping I can help. The problem... she changed her administrator password and cannot remember it. Any ideas before re-installing Vista from scratch?

[Focused Moments]

got another user with admin priviledges?  can change the password if you logon with that one ... never tried it not sure if that would work

[Neocorteqz]

<canned Microshaft response.>

Microsoft Vista is no longer a supported Microsoft Operating System, please give us money to upgrade you to a perfectly stable OS, and still shitty support.



Best i can suggest is

http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/download.php?type=livecd

it's a bootable Linux CD that will allow you to use the SAM database to crack the hash for the password.

other than using a password recovery disk that one can make with windows it's damn near impossible.

And yes another administrator can change the administrators password. If it is a default install from a OEM build, you can enable the administrator account  via registry to enable the hidden built in (Disabled by default) administrator account.

[mephisto_kur]

Used to use l0pht when that happened, I guess opht is a new, opensource version of it.  Works, but can take time depending on what method you are forced to use.

[Smackintosh]

I downloaded that ophcrack cd, burned the image, but not sure what the hell I'm doing. I wish I knew more about linux. She thinks she knows parts of what the password may be. her initials and what not.

I'm guessing "l0pht" is not a freebie?

[mephisto_kur]

l0pht may not even exist anymore.

Let me burn opht to a cd and see if i can give you some instruction.

[Smoke]

burn orphcrack to cd then boot from it.there is a video on youtube showing you what to do

[mephisto_kur]

Yeah, its really easy.  Boot it, choose the first option when it comes to the white screen with green writing.  It will do the normal Linux ugly boot (Windows does it too, but is covered by that pretty little loading bar).  It will launch the app immediately, load in the main partition and start running without you doing anything.

Odd thing, tho.  It worked fine on my son's machine, but couldn't find the hard drive on another spare machine I had sitting here.

[Smackintosh]

Ah I didn't download the Vista tables, downloading now... I'll give it another couple shots. It had the XP tables as defaults.

[Smackintosh]

Cool. Meph. Thanks! I'll try that if this one doesn't work. l0phtcrack6 has a free to try 14day trial.

If I have to reinstall Windows Vista from scratch... will she have access to her pictures and docs?

[mephisto_kur]

Depends on if you do a format or not.  Format the drive and EVERYTHING goes bye bye.

[Smackintosh]

What I mean is when I install Vista and tell it not to format, will the fact that the files WERE protected under a password protected user account mean anything?

[mephisto_kur]

You would have to take ownership of the files using an admin account after the reload.  You won't be able to access the files until you do.  It is not hard but can be time consuming depending on how organized she is.

[Smackintosh]

I've dealt with a lot of crazy problems with computers, but user accounts and networking with Windows is my weak point. I'm better with software and hardware issues. lol. I may give it a shot, but she may just take it to Geek Squad.

[Neocorteqz]

I've dealt with a lot of crazy problems with computers, but user accounts and networking with Windows is my weak point. I'm better with software and hardware issues. lol. I may give it a shot, but she may just take it to Geek Squad.

I will have to smack you... No pun intended. It would be cheaper to ship it to one of us. Ok maybe not, but I'm sure best buy will find something wrong.