just found another discussion that i'm trying.

I had a similar problem some time ago. I found some software on the web that strips all the passwords from the system and displays them for you. You download it to a cd and then boot from it. I cannot remember the site but it was free. Try doing a search.

I just give my idea . 1) As told earlier, there are ways of recovering password. 2) You may also try under a guest account which has the admin previleges but without a pwd. 3) There is another account being used by sysadm people which has no password / modified by them. Try with them as my knowledge in this is upto this level only.

Hello phoenix,

No worries Phoenix, I know you must have 'thunk' and tried to set something up to make the computer safer. You never said it was not your computer though.

I suggest you click on this link to another thread of someone with a similar problem. You must follow the instructions in doing this, but I know you would anyway!

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/20467/Lost-windows-password

Take a look if you already have not and get back to me please.

Did my advice last night on the various passwords help?

Take care

Good luck

Phoenix911,

Check this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305

Jon

Hello phoenix911,

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Can you confirm the permission password you are talking about. Is it the initial PW as you start the machine or the Archive Protection?

Is it on Windows XP or an App on XP? Are you essentially asking how can I bypass the main XP password as the machine starts?

Looking forward to your replies and to helping you.

Take care and good luck. Please get back to me.

Hello phoenix911...

If all you require is to retrieve data off the hard drive, you could consider mounting the drive as an external slave, similar to the way you would treat an external USB drive.

I have on occassion taken apart an old USB drive, and used to connecter to mount old drives from my laptops. The running OS will recognize it as a "data" drive, and you can pull off any file you choose.

I'm not sure if you are referencing a laptop, or desktop, but the idea is the same. On the desktop, you can mount the drive on your IDE cable as a secondary slave by plugging it on to the same IDE cable as you primary OS drive... you may need to properly set the jumpers on the IDE drive to make sure the system recognizes it as a slave first.

Or.... the sexiest solution would be to purchase a simple USB to SATA/IDE connector like this one, for around $20. MOST technology stores will have this in stock. Make sure you know the proper drive type, or buy one that adapts to them all.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=USB+to+IDE&oe=UTF-8&cid=17773904565279870911&sa=title#p

This may also work for the desktop (larger pinout) drive. This would be easist solution (other than remembering the PW).

You could always set up a dual boot with Linux, and access the files you need from the Linux OS...

You don't even need a Linux install. Just get a "live" CD version and make sure the BIOS is set up to boot from the CD before the HD.

Hello cwarner,

Hope you are well.

You could always set up a dual boot with Linux, and access the files you need from the Linux OS...

I have done this and it works!

Take care.

Hi phoenix911,

It is bound to happen and reading XP Microsoft Windows inside out...........

Can you get past the logon screen if you use one?

I will explain how to recover from a lost PW on windows XP, if I can find the right part you refer to.

Can you tell me if the Title of your thread Windows XP Admin Logon Password - Extended, is the name of your password you are trying to find? I am not sure about the 'extended' part?

There is two tools that may help.

#1) Your PW hint, if you created one, is available by clicking the '?' icon that appears after you click your name on the welcome screen.

It is not available if you do not use the welcome screen.

#2) Password Reset Disk.

The PW Reset Disk allows you to change your password, without the need to know the old password. You can create a password reset disk,............ only for your local user account. If your computer is joined to a domain, you cannot create a PW reset disk as a backdoor to your domain logon password. However, in a domain environment, a domain administrator can safely change your password and you will still have access to your encrypted files.

Can you tell me if you have a hint or a Password Reset Disk please, as it is necessary to have made one BEFORE you need it!........... As is the case with a lot of stuff?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The instructions you get tell you to use a floppy disk to make a reset disk. If you do not use or do not have one then make one on a:

USB flash drive

USB external drive

Card reader for flash memory

And also us some Digital Cameras.

Each time you attach one of these devices, the wizard page that normally tells you to insert a floppy disk sprouts a list of usable drives, (still including the the often nonexistent floppy disk drive).

The same set of acceptable drives appears when you invoke the password reset wizard from the welcome screen while the removable drive is attached.

I will list some of the permissions and password apps details. Please choose the one you think is the one you are having problems with.

Permissions.

default

effective

faxes

files and folders

groups

printers

program setup options

registry

removing write permissions

shared resources

stored in ACL's

permissions , Advanced

permissions basic simple file sharing

personal encryption certificate

personal firewalls

Please get back to me.

Take care

Insert a XP install disc. It'll ask for a password or you can reset it instead, eject the disc.

Hi wire,

Nice idea my friend.

The problem with anyone who has lost any password is, it is not thought about until it is needed! It is not as if there is not enough Apps out there that can keep things save for when it is wanted? Someone mentioned a non tech' answer of pencil and paper. This is fine as long as you can keep a dedicates book, and can recall where you put the book!

Can I suggest a pencil and paper answer but use the back page of a novel or your favourite book? That way the person using it will know where it is but, no one else will.

Take care

Hey, here is a tip for you. When you do figure out how to retrieve your pass words. Write them down! Yes use a pencil and paper! Now I know that is not "High Tech" or cool and all but it works...

Phoenix911,

Here is a link that has several solutions for you to try. See if any of these would work for your situation.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/passrecovery.htm

I have heard of the Cain & Abel software, but if you don't have a way to get into your account in the first place I don't know if it would help you. I'd try the Ophcrack solution if you want to recover the drive without removing it from the machine.

Good Luck,

Farmers Son

Yes #7 is great advise for forgotten user pass words but not for admin. How do you log in to safe mode w/o psswd?

Hello phoenix,

I suggest you go to the Microsoft site and either search for or ask if they have software to help find your password/s.

You could try using the Restore Backup perhaps?

I hope some of this helps and, the reason I went to Microsoft is because it is less likely you will get a Trojan included 'FREE' with any software!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/search?query=windows+XP+password+recovery&prd=

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/resultsForCategory.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/windows-help

Good luck

Thanks for the responses, I have over come the file that I needed, but the problem of getting past the computer login still exists,

I am pinch for time, right now and appreciate the quick responses, I am going to try some of the suggestions later this week, and I will get back to.

And with my mind off of the problem.....I may even remember the password.

whoopee!!!

and again, until then, thank you,

p911

Hi phoenix,

I am so pleased you have managed to recall the password!

All be it an 'after-thought', perhaps you personally and or your friend could simply use the internal back page of a novel, or dedicated writing book, to keep a list of passwords and or the details the passwords were needed?

I cannot be more appreciative of your reply. Thank you.