Forgotten Password at start up of XP

[Yve2009]

Good morning!! Hope all are well.
Please please please can someone help me. Not familiar with Pc's. I have a Compaq laptop and if shut down a while ago. Last week i took it to a shop to be fixed. They had fixed it and reinstalled more memory, nortons and XP. Once I had switched it on and it loaded it came up with the username/password box. The username stated :- Admin. to this i hit enter and it took me through. All fine. I set up a new username and password with the hint. I used the pc a few times that day.
Yesterday I put it on and I think i may have forgotten the way the password was entered. Which is very unlike me. Anyhow.

Is there a way of accessing the system and setting up a new admin password?

I am thinking of taking the laptop back and learning from my mistake and get another reinstallment. Will be doing this tomorrow so any advice would be so much appreciated.

Thanks

[tux4life]

If you're using XP Home it might be probable that there's an administrator account without a password (called 'Administrator')
Normally the password of this account is blank and you can access it by starting your computer into safe mode (press F8 just before the Windows Loading screen shows up), if the password of this Administrator account is blank, you can just login on it and change your other account's password :) ...

[FlamingClaw]

some months ago I tryed on desktop pc with xp professional and working well :D

[Yve2009]

Thanks Tux and Flaming! I have tried doing that but not had any joy. When i got the laptop back i think i set up myself as administrator and set a password. Now i've forgot it. Mind been elsewhere last few days. So i take it that its going to have to be scrapped and re installed again?

[FlamingClaw]

a new install always elixir for most software problem :D
I haven't any idea,next time write your password down

[hughv]

You forgot the user password also?
This program will recover most XP passwords:
http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

[Godsp3ed]

If the above options Don't Work try this to recover the admin Password :

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

ELSE AFTER STEP 10

Type in: “Net User Administrator *” It’ll tell you to enter a password, then again to confirm it. This will both change the password or make a new one.

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

you cannot cancel repair after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.
Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

[tux4life]

Here are listed some nice password recovery/reset programs :)

[Yve2009]

You guys are all totally brilliant......thank you.
I gave up in the end and took it to be fixed. Working fine now. have never forgot a thing before....... oh well. Thanks a bunch......again x x
Yve

[Godsp3ed]

No Probs...Glad to hear its fixed :)