Lost Password Windows 2000
February 5, 2004 12:20 PM Subscribe
How do I gain access to a Windows 2000 computer when I've forgotten the password both to my account and the admin's?
I have physical access (it's here next to me) and it has a disk shared (can't remember if it's C: or a subdirectory, and can't look because it prompts for a password). I have other Linux and Windows machines available on the same network. However, it was kept up-to-date with patches until about 6 months ago.
I remember someone, somewhere saying it's possible by booting into Linux (it boots from CD, IIRC), but I don't know how. It's a Spanish language W2000 Pro (not server). And it's not directly visible on the net (maybe I should connect it up and wait for port 31337 to open? ;o)
If I can't get in, I'll reinstall, but I'm worried I'll lose data during the install.
I have physical access (it's here next to me) and it has a disk shared (can't remember if it's C: or a subdirectory, and can't look because it prompts for a password). I have other Linux and Windows machines available on the same network. However, it was kept up-to-date with patches until about 6 months ago.
I remember someone, somewhere saying it's possible by booting into Linux (it boots from CD, IIRC), but I don't know how. It's a Spanish language W2000 Pro (not server). And it's not directly visible on the net (maybe I should connect it up and wait for port 31337 to open? ;o)
If I can't get in, I'll reinstall, but I'm worried I'll lose data during the install.
Response by poster: Thanks. That looks suspiciously googleable - sorry!
(I don't suppose anyone has personal recommendations? It seems like some of these would be great candidates for installing backdoors...)
posted by andrew cooke at 12:35 PM on February 5, 2004
(I don't suppose anyone has personal recommendations? It seems like some of these would be great candidates for installing backdoors...)
posted by andrew cooke at 12:35 PM on February 5, 2004
Boot with a recovery CD (Bart'd Boot CD or the like). Go into windows/system32 and copy cmd.exe over to replace logon.scr
Boot the computer to console and the login screen and wait for the screensaver to start. Voila -- you've got a system command line. Reset account passwords thence.
posted by j.edwards at 1:08 PM on February 5, 2004
Boot the computer to console and the login screen and wait for the screensaver to start. Voila -- you've got a system command line. Reset account passwords thence.
posted by j.edwards at 1:08 PM on February 5, 2004
Response by poster: sweet. burnt this to cd; booted; followed some simple instructions and i'm in.
thanks again.
[on edit - thanks j.edwards too]
posted by andrew cooke at 1:09 PM on February 5, 2004
thanks again.
[on edit - thanks j.edwards too]
posted by andrew cooke at 1:09 PM on February 5, 2004
« Older How can I export data from SQL Server 2000 to... | What Program for Vector-based Illustration Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by grabbingsand at 12:29 PM on February 5, 2004