Win XP Home Edition password problem

[Radical789]

The system locked up when giving the one and only account a password. Previously it did not have a password. After it locked up, after rebooting, the new password did not work and a blank password did not work. MS support was no help. The password hint is not operational either.
Is there anyway to reset the password or get in a backdoor? I did not create a password reset disk before this happened and now I can't get on the computer to create one.

 

[mechBgon]

Try starting in Safe Mode. Is there an additional account named "Administrator" or "Owner" on the screen when in Safe Mode? If so, try that with a blank password, for starters.

Otherwise, if you have a proper WinXP CD (as opposed to a Restore CD from Compaq/Dell/Gateway/etc), then you could do a Repair-installation of Windows:

1) start Windows Setup from CD-ROM

2) when you're first allowed to choose Repair versus Install, choose Install.

3) Windows Setup proceeds for a couple minutes, you agree to the EULA, and it shows the existing disk partitions. Choose the C:\ partition and Windows Setup should see the existing C:\WINDOWS directory and offer to repair that installation. NOW choose "Repair."

4) Make sure your network cable is unplugged, or your wireless access point and/or modem are turned off, to prevent direct worm attacks of your "raw" Windows installation. Before connecting the computer to a network, enable the Internet Connection Firewall (consult Windows Help if you don't know where) or install Service Pack 2 from a CD (which enables the firewall, called "Windows Firewall" on WinXP SP2, and patches many vulnerabilities too).

5) when your repair-installation of Windows is done, you will have your data and programs still in place, but you'll need to reinstall your service packs and patches for Windows. Visit Windows Update and Office Update several times until you come up clean.

 

[Need4Speed]

seems like a lot of effort to go through just to reset the password...try this instead: http://trinityhome.org/trk/usage.shtml

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, starting the computer in Safe Mode is tough

 

[Radical789]

I can try this but the computer is my sisters and she is in another state. I will try to talk her through the scenario but it won't be easy by phone. She may have to wait until I head there for vacation.

I will look at the winpass tools but again would probably not be able to talk her through that one either.

But I will definitely give these a try, thanks for the help.