Friend can't remember password

NoahFence · 2nd July 2011, 05:03 PM

Ugh

So my friend can't get into her laptop because she forgot her password(?!)

Is there a way to get in there without downloading a virus - laden crack?

I'm sure if need be we can reformat but that seems a bit extreme for a first idea....

dtugg · 2nd July 2011, 05:14 PM

I've never used this but I am pretty sure it is legit. You will need another computer to burn a disk.

http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/

dtugg · 2nd July 2011, 05:21 PM

There is also this if your friend doesn't feel comfortable using the first tool. It is $20 rather than free.

http://www.windowspasswordreset.net/

Dancing David · 3rd July 2011, 05:21 AM

There is the NT recovery password utility for Windows
CNet is always safe:
http://download.cnet.com/Windows-200...-10313997.html

What OS do they have?

For this one you burn a disk and then have to boot from the CD

If you use CNet and Major Geeks you won't get malware.

Beerina · 3rd July 2011, 06:17 AM

It's work, but you can pull the HD out and put it in as a second HD in someone's desktop computer and yank the files, as a last resort before reformatting. There are probably bootable DVDs, too, that will boot a computer and give you access to the HD. Of course you'd still need another connection or thumb drive or something...

commandlinegamer · 3rd July 2011, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by NoahFence

Ugh

So my friend can't get into her laptop because she forgot her password(?!)

Is there a way to get in there without downloading a virus - laden crack?

I'm sure if need be we can reformat but that seems a bit extreme for a first idea....

Startup password for BIOS or hard disk, or Windows login? If Windows, which version?

ddt · 3rd July 2011, 11:30 AM

I've used this tool once for resetting a Windows password. There's also a writeup on its use on about.com. The tool boots from a CD, and is commandline, which about.com mentions as a con (I'd call it a pro, but YMMV

)

NoahFence · 3rd July 2011, 11:35 AM

She's all set - had another friend that was closer to her wipe it out. Apparently she backed up stuff onto an external drive.

Thanks folks!

rjh01 · 3rd July 2011, 02:08 PM

What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection.

dtugg · 3rd July 2011, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection.

It is. But that should keep most people out. If you really don't want anybody to get into your computer the only way is to do a full disk encryption.

ddt · 3rd July 2011, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection.

Physical access to the computer trumps everything.

These tools only work for the passwords on stand-alone computers, not on domain passwords.

The tool I recommended boots from a CD, and then looks for the place where Windows stores the password(s) on disk and wipes them. Most or all of the tools recommended in this thread work like that (booting from CD or from a UBS-stick). You simply bypass the HD where the passwords are stored.

Dancing David · 3rd July 2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by rjh01

What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection.

Well, most people don't know how to use the tools. It just slows them down, if they care. So on my workplace domain, most stuff is locked down unless you are an admin.

I can read and copy other people files, most staff can't.

rjh01 · 4th July 2011, 04:26 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Wowbagger · 5th July 2011, 09:56 PM

Hmmm..... Did she check under the keyboard?

Soapy Sam · 6th July 2011, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by dtugg

I've never used this but I am pretty sure it is legit. You will need another computer to burn a disk.

http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/

I have. It is.

iMaGiNaTioN · 11th July 2011, 07:13 PM

Try booting into Safe Mode as Administrator (no password). If it lets you login, go into Control Panel and User Accounts and reset the password for her user account.

Crazycowbob · 12th July 2011, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by iMaGiNaTioN

Try booting into Safe Mode as Administrator (no password). If it lets you login, go into Control Panel and User Accounts and reset the password for her user account.

This /\

Most folks when they get a prebuilt system don't, or don't know how to, put an admin password in. Saved many a friend by using this little trick to get around their forgotten password and get them back into their system

commandlinegamer · 12th July 2011, 01:45 PM

The account entitled "Administrator" is disabled by default on Vista and 7 Home editions. The initial user is usually an administrator though and as has been pointed out, there are tools out there to reset/blank a password.

Captain_Snort · 13th July 2011, 09:28 AM

I always have a USB stick with the live linux distro 'system rescue disk' handy

http://www.sysresccd.org/

Apart from being able to fix almost any problems on virtually any file system, it also has a boot option to get windows passwords in case you forget.

If you know how to mount and unmount drives in a terminal, you cannot do better to rescue any system.

2nd July 2011, 05:03 PM	#1
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,329	Friend can't remember password Ugh So my friend can't get into her laptop because she forgot her password(?!) Is there a way to get in there without downloading a virus - laden crack? I'm sure if need be we can reformat but that seems a bit extreme for a first idea....
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

3rd July 2011, 05:21 AM	#4
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,729	There is the NT recovery password utility for Windows CNet is always safe: http://download.cnet.com/Windows-200...-10313997.html What OS do they have? For this one you burn a disk and then have to boot from the CD If you use CNet and Major Geeks you won't get malware.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

3rd July 2011, 06:17 AM	#5
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	It's work, but you can pull the HD out and put it in as a second HD in someone's desktop computer and yank the files, as a last resort before reformatting. There are probably bootable DVDs, too, that will boot a computer and give you access to the HD. Of course you'd still need another connection or thumb drive or something...
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right? Last edited by Beerina; 3rd July 2011 at 06:19 AM.

3rd July 2011, 07:17 AM	#6
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,905	Originally Posted by NoahFence Ugh So my friend can't get into her laptop because she forgot her password(?!) Is there a way to get in there without downloading a virus - laden crack? I'm sure if need be we can reformat but that seems a bit extreme for a first idea.... Startup password for BIOS or hard disk, or Windows login? If Windows, which version?
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

3rd July 2011, 11:30 AM	#7
ddt Mafia Penguin Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,329	I've used this tool once for resetting a Windows password. There's also a writeup on its use on about.com. The tool boots from a CD, and is commandline, which about.com mentions as a con (I'd call it a pro, but YMMV )
	__________________ Proud member of the Solipsistic Autosycophant's Group

2nd July 2011, 05:14 PM	#2
dtugg Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NWO headquarters Posts: 7,898	I've never used this but I am pretty sure it is legit. You will need another computer to burn a disk. http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/

2nd July 2011, 05:21 PM	#3
dtugg Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NWO headquarters Posts: 7,898	There is also this if your friend doesn't feel comfortable using the first tool. It is $20 rather than free. http://www.windowspasswordreset.net/

3rd July 2011, 11:35 AM	#8
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,329	She's all set - had another friend that was closer to her wipe it out. Apparently she backed up stuff onto an external drive. Thanks folks!
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

3rd July 2011, 02:08 PM	#9
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,198	What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection.

3rd July 2011, 05:06 PM	#10
dtugg Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NWO headquarters Posts: 7,898	Originally Posted by rjh01 What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection. It is. But that should keep most people out. If you really don't want anybody to get into your computer the only way is to do a full disk encryption.

3rd July 2011, 05:12 PM	#11
ddt Mafia Penguin Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,329	Originally Posted by rjh01 What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection. Physical access to the computer trumps everything. These tools only work for the passwords on stand-alone computers, not on domain passwords. The tool I recommended boots from a CD, and then looks for the place where Windows stores the password(s) on disk and wipes them. Most or all of the tools recommended in this thread work like that (booting from CD or from a UBS-stick). You simply bypass the HD where the passwords are stored.
	__________________ Proud member of the Solipsistic Autosycophant's Group

3rd July 2011, 06:01 PM	#12
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,729	Originally Posted by rjh01 What is the point of having a password on a computer if there are ways that you can get around it? Looks like it is only basic protection. Well, most people don't know how to use the tools. It just slows them down, if they care. So on my workplace domain, most stuff is locked down unless you are an admin. I can read and copy other people files, most staff can't.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

4th July 2011, 04:26 AM	#13
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,198	Thanks for the replies.

5th July 2011, 09:56 PM	#14
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,533	Hmmm..... Did she check under the keyboard?
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

6th July 2011, 02:41 PM	#15
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Originally Posted by dtugg I've never used this but I am pretty sure it is legit. You will need another computer to burn a disk. http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/ I have. It is.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

11th July 2011, 07:13 PM	#16
iMaGiNaTioN Scholar Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 67	Try booting into Safe Mode as Administrator (no password). If it lets you login, go into Control Panel and User Accounts and reset the password for her user account.
iMaGiNaTioN Scholar Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 67

12th July 2011, 12:17 PM	#17
Crazycowbob Bovine Overlord Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,369	Originally Posted by iMaGiNaTioN Try booting into Safe Mode as Administrator (no password). If it lets you login, go into Control Panel and User Accounts and reset the password for her user account. This /\ Most folks when they get a prebuilt system don't, or don't know how to, put an admin password in. Saved many a friend by using this little trick to get around their forgotten password and get them back into their system
	__________________ "Pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, 'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth." Eric Idle, The Meaning of Life

12th July 2011, 01:45 PM	#18
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,905	The account entitled "Administrator" is disabled by default on Vista and 7 Home editions. The initial user is usually an administrator though and as has been pointed out, there are tools out there to reset/blank a password.
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

13th July 2011, 09:28 AM	#19
Captain_Snort Muse Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 668	I always have a USB stick with the live linux distro 'system rescue disk' handy http://www.sysresccd.org/ Apart from being able to fix almost any problems on virtually any file system, it also has a boot option to get windows passwords in case you forget. If you know how to mount and unmount drives in a terminal, you cannot do better to rescue any system.
	__________________ UKLS - 1984-2003, 2007- Girl 6: Besides, it's like he's an absentee landowner... And, I hate slumlords... ;-)