Guest gnat Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 hello I have been given a windows 2000 pro computer, but while booting into windows it says that the password has expired and i should make a new one; but it wants the old one too... of which I dont have. It isnt the bios password, because I got past that. In windows98, I know I can use dos and go delete the password file, and it will start over from scratch, do I do the same here? or is there another way. Thank you in advance. gnat
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Re: win2000 password "gnat" <a@fleamarket.com> wrote in message news:OhpbYcVEIHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > hello > > I have been given a windows 2000 pro computer, but while booting into > windows it says that the > password has expired and i should make a new one; but it wants the old > one too... of which I > dont have. > > It isnt the bios password, because I got past that. > In windows98, I know I can use dos and go delete the password file, and it > will start over from > scratch, do I do the same here? or is there another way. > > Thank you in advance. > gnat > > http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html
Guest gnat Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Re: win2000 password > http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html > > Thank you Pegasus,,,, I went there, and didnt understand any of it,, is there an easier way?? The machine was found on the side of the road, hard-rubbish day.... people where I live just seem to toss out computers rather than fix them or whatever. The computer seems okay apart from that,, and I guess what I am trying to do is find out what size ram it has, how big the hard-drive is,, and etc, without pulling it apart. (not my forte.) I dont have a c/d for it, but was hoping I would be able to re-set the password by deleteing the ..pwl file, like in win98. sigh. Is there another way? gnat
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Re: win2000 password "gnat" <a@fleamarket.com> wrote in message news:%23tswOgWEIHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html >> >> > > Thank you Pegasus,,,, > > I went there, and didnt understand any of it,, is there an easier way?? > > The machine was found on the side of the road, hard-rubbish day.... > people where I live just > seem to toss out computers rather than fix them or whatever. > The computer seems okay apart from that,, and I guess what I am trying to > do is find out what size > ram it has, how big the hard-drive is,, and etc, without pulling it > apart. (not my forte.) > > I dont have a c/d for it, but was hoping I would be able to re-set the > password by deleteing the > .pwl file, like in win98. sigh. > > Is there another way? > gnat The Windows 98 security was so weak that it was no security at all. Security under Windows 2000/XP is much better: You need physical access to the machine in order to reset a password. However, Microsoft do not supply any tools to do it, so you have to rely on third-party tools such as the Nordahl boot disk to reset the dminstrator's passwrd. Using it is easy: . . . When you type the phrase How to use the Nordahl boot disk into Google then you will get lots of specific advice about the Nordahl boot disk, e.g. from this site: http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/gazette/2003/20031030_reset_windows_2000_admin_password.htm
Guest Sid Elbow Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Re: win2000 password gnat wrote: > I went there, and didnt understand any of it,, is there an easier way?? > > The machine was found on the side of the road, hard-rubbish day.... people where I live just > seem to toss out computers rather than fix them or whatever. > The computer seems okay apart from that,, and I guess what I am trying to do is find out what size > ram it has, how big the hard-drive is,, and etc, without pulling it apart. (not my forte.) > > I dont have a c/d for it, but was hoping I would be able to re-set the password by deleteing the > .pwl file, like in win98. sigh. > > Is there another way? I can think of two other ways - get someone to help you or (preferably) reinstall the operating system. If you picked this machine up at the side of the road it may contain personal data from the previous user so it's really not a nice thing to do to force access. Since it doesn't contain any data that's critical to you, you don't have the usual reason for resisting a reinstall. Moreover if you don't have valid licences for the OS and/or applications, it would be technically illegal to use the system anyway. If all you truly want to is find out the ram, hd size etc, watch the screen at bootup time (be ready with the pause-key) or go into the BIOS and check there. But logically, you must have seen that stuff already.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Re: win2000 password "Sid Elbow" <mevagissey@gmail.com> wrote in message news:c3e19$47177639$4c0a8021$30936@TEKSAVVY.COM... > gnat wrote: > >> I went there, and didnt understand any of it,, is there an easier way?? >> >> The machine was found on the side of the road, hard-rubbish day.... >> people where I live just >> seem to toss out computers rather than fix them or whatever. >> The computer seems okay apart from that,, and I guess what I am trying to >> do is find out what size >> ram it has, how big the hard-drive is,, and etc, without pulling it >> apart. (not my forte.) >> >> I dont have a c/d for it, but was hoping I would be able to re-set the >> password by deleteing the >> .pwl file, like in win98. sigh. >> >> Is there another way? > > I can think of two other ways - get someone to help you or (preferably) > reinstall the operating system. > > If you picked this machine up at the side of the road it may contain > personal data from the previous user so it's really not a nice thing to do > to force access. Since it doesn't contain any data that's critical to you, > you don't have the usual reason for resisting a reinstall. Moreover if you > don't have valid licences for the OS and/or applications, it would be > technically illegal to use the system anyway. > > If all you truly want to is find out the ram, hd size etc, watch the > screen at bootup time (be ready with the pause-key) or go into the BIOS > and check there. But logically, you must have seen that stuff already. The machine could also be riddled with viruses, malware and spyware.
Guest Mr.Gomar Posted October 20, 2007 Posted October 20, 2007 Re: win2000 password On Oct 18, 10:27 am, Sid Elbow <mevagis...@gmail.com> wrote: > > If you picked this machine up at the side of the road it may contain > personal data from the previous user so it's really not a nice thing to > do to force access. Since it doesn't contain any data that's critical to > you, you don't have the usual reason for resisting a reinstall. Moreover > if you don't have valid licences for the OS and/or applications, it > would be technically illegal to use the system anyway. oh, well, guess what smarty pants, they really shouldnt throw away PCs with personal data on the street in that case! There are lots of crypto and HDD wipers on the net, and the HDD could be formatted or destroyed. Lots of PCs have been given to me, I played with them, if they are good, I fix them and give them to those who cant afford a computer. But if they contain personal data, pics of grandma that croaked 2 days after they were taken, or sensitive business files... well too bad I am sad, your loss.
Guest gnat Posted October 21, 2007 Posted October 21, 2007 Re: win2000 password yes,, what you say is true..... gomar. i am learning the computer,, and often get given stuff that is tossed on side of the road by the ppl who dont want them anymore. (probably because they picked up a virus or whatever).] But,, if the computer happens to windows 2000, so what? if a person throws out a win2000, for all to see, for anyone to grab, then, if the 2000 computer was used for sensitive stuff,,, the owner should have removed the hard-drive and hit it with bluddy hammer..... yes???!! yes, 2000 is supposed to be more 'security conscious', but only as secure as the ninny who tosses out the h/d with the computer. i agree with what you said Mr Gomar..... gnat say, do you know a way 'round the p/w? "Mr.Gomar" <bolshoyhuy@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1192908469.360501.75610@y27g2000pre.googlegroups.com... > On Oct 18, 10:27 am, Sid Elbow <mevagis...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > If you picked this machine up at the side of the road it may contain > > personal data from the previous user so it's really not a nice thing to > > do to force access. Since it doesn't contain any data that's critical to > > you, you don't have the usual reason for resisting a reinstall. Moreover > > if you don't have valid licences for the OS and/or applications, it > > would be technically illegal to use the system anyway. > > oh, well, guess what smarty pants, they really shouldnt throw away PCs > with personal data on the street in that case! > There are lots of crypto and HDD wipers on the net, and the HDD could > be formatted or destroyed. > Lots of PCs have been given to me, I played with them, if they are > good, I fix them and give them to those who cant afford a computer. > But if they contain personal data, pics of grandma that croaked 2 days > after they were taken, or sensitive business files... well too bad I > am sad, your loss. >
Guest gnat Posted October 22, 2007 Posted October 22, 2007 Re: win2000 password guess what gomar...... even though there are billions of combinations for a password;; i typed in ZERO (not cap-lock) and it carried on and loaded windows... wonder if this is some sorta over-ride? anyhow, just thought i would share that with you seeing as you stuck up for me. gnat
Guest aa Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 Re: win2000 password "gnat" <a@fleamarket.com> ÓÏÏÂÝÉÌ/ÓÏÏÂÝÉÌÁ × ÎÏ×ÏÓÔÑÈ ÓÌÅÄÕÀÝÅÅ: news:eQnkXeIFIHA.2268@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > even though there are billions of combinations for a password;; i typed in > ZERO (not cap-lock) and it carried on and loaded windows... > wonder if this is some sorta over-ride? > anyhow, just thought i would share that with you seeing as you stuck up for me. > gnat I guess it would be a good idea for Microsoft to build in a universal top-secret PW into every OS they sell, which would let them to enter every computer in case a need arises. With Big Bro becomeing more and more real this advance thinking might be very handy. If you inadvertently discovered this top-secret PW - then you already know too much to live and pose threat to National Security. If you have relatives or girlfriends or other beneficiaries, take out a life insurance asap.
Guest John John Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 Re: win2000 password aa wrote: > "gnat" <a@fleamarket.com> ÓÏÏÂÝÉÌ/ÓÏÏÂÝÉÌÁ × ÎÏ×ÏÓÔÑÈ ÓÌÅÄÕÀÝÅÅ: > news:eQnkXeIFIHA.2268@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > >>even though there are billions of combinations for a password;; i > > typed in > >>ZERO (not cap-lock) and it carried on and loaded windows... >>wonder if this is some sorta over-ride? >>anyhow, just thought i would share that with you seeing as you stuck up > > for me. > >>gnat > > I guess it would be a good idea for Microsoft to build in a universal > top-secret PW into every OS they sell, which would let them to enter every > computer in case a need arises. With Big Bro becomeing more and more real > this advance thinking might be very handy. If you inadvertently discovered > this top-secret PW - then you already know too much to live and pose threat > to National Security. If you have relatives or girlfriends or other > beneficiaries, take out a life insurance asap. Those darned Englishmen, had they not penned the Magna Carta about 900 years ago none of these pesky laws that protect individuals would exist and law enforcement could it's job properly and without any silly oversight. Never mind secret passwords, what the US really needs to do is do away with the constitution and the right of Habeas Corpus, then hire ex Romanian Securitate directors to run your law enforcement... John
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