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Devxp

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lost admin pword win2k

I have forgotten my Win2kPro Admin Password. I have no users installed so I cannot enter the system that way. I have Win2K Advanced Server running on the same box which I can get into. Is there anyway to avoid re-installing the Win2kPro?
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CrazyOne
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Since you said it was dual boot, you could just boot to the other OS and delete or rename the SAM file from the afflicted OS;  this would leave you with an Administrator account with no password and a guest account (disabled);  your security in that OS would be all screwed up, but you would not have to rebuild...


HTH
-Steven Yarnot
http://yarnosg.home.insightbb.com
oops:  WINNT\SYSTEM32\Config\SAM (no extension)

-Steve
Avatar of markmedici
markmedici

Since you already have Win2k Server on the box, and can still get in, this procedure will get you back in business in under 30 minutes, and is FREE:

 * Boot Win2k Server and logon as administrator.
 * Open "My Computer" and browse to the SYSTEM32 folder for your Win2kPro install.
 * Locate and rename "logon.scr" to "logon.scr.orig".
 * Locate and copy "CMD.EXE" to "logon.scr".
 * Restart the system and boot Win2K workstation.
 * Wait ~ 15 minutes for the screen saver timeout to occur (do NOT use mouse or keyboard while waiting).

Because you replaced "logon.scr" with "CMD.EXE", you will get a CMD window (dos box) instead of the screensaver.  This CMD window will be running under the local SYSTEM account, so you should have sufficient privileges to change the Administrator's password.

 * In the CMD window, enter "LUSRMGR.MSC" and press enter to start Local Users and Groups.
 * Select your local Administrator account.
 * Right-click, select "Change Password".  Set new password.
 * Create a second administrator account, just to be sure.
 * Restart to Win2k Workstation again, and test the new password(s).
 * If all is good, delete "logon.scr" from the Win2kPro system32 folder, and rename "logon.scr.orig" back to "logon.scr".

Cheers.
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