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Resetting a Computer Password
radroadkill
MDRegistered User regular
MDRegistered User regular
So I am visiting a friend whose husband just passed away and one of his computers (that's linked to their tv and has all the kid's games and shows on it) was accidentally turned off and he has it locked with a password. It also happens to be one of the only passwords of his she doesn't know.
There's an option to reset but clicking it brings up a message saying something to the effect of needing a drive or removable memory device to complete the reset.
It's a PC with Windows.
We did some googling earlier but we're no tech savvy enough to know exactly what's right and we've been wrangling three bored, sick kids so I can post the exact message tomorrow if needed. The hdmi cable started acting up a while ago so we're calling it quits for tonight and tackling it again tomorrow morning.
tl;dr: computer is locked out abd we're not sure how to reset the password as the original owner is no longer here to help
There's an option to reset but clicking it brings up a message saying something to the effect of needing a drive or removable memory device to complete the reset.
It's a PC with Windows.
We did some googling earlier but we're no tech savvy enough to know exactly what's right and we've been wrangling three bored, sick kids so I can post the exact message tomorrow if needed. The hdmi cable started acting up a while ago so we're calling it quits for tonight and tackling it again tomorrow morning.
tl;dr: computer is locked out abd we're not sure how to reset the password as the original owner is no longer here to help
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I'd suggest getting a cheap thumb drive, google "Password cracker windows XXXX cnet" and go from there.
You'll download a bootable file onto the thumb drive, then start the locked computer up with that thumbdrive in.
It'll boot off the thumbdrive, and depending on what application you're using should either give you the password or allow you to reset it.
I can't vouch for this particular one working on Win7, but I had luck with using it on an XP install with a forgotten password when other password crackers couldn't find the password data.
On a related note, I'd recommend getting a little familiar with a couple of different programs and maybe even prepping the boot media for more than just your first choice before you go over there to fix it, just in case the first one you try doesn't work.
Used http://www.sysresccd.org/SystemRescueCd_Homepage
Booted from a USB stick, ran the ntpasswd utility and it cleared the password for the user account.
Do... Re... Mi... So... Fa.... Do... Re.... Do...
Forget it...