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Windows Server 2003 Password Recovery not Resetting

We have a small client that managed to forget their administrator password on their Windows 2003 Server and got into a pretty bad argument with their last IT guys with some stuff left undone. Anyone know of tools that will look at the SAM database and decrypt the password for the domain administrator. The reason I do not want to reset it as I dont know if the server was set up with some services using the administrator account which some people still choose to do. I need any recommendation fast as I need to be their tomorrow as the Exchange running on this server is not receiving external email.

Thanks

Paul

Jay_Jay70

no. You wont find find a decent app that will display the password, at best, it will be resetting it, and at worst it will take 5 mins to change the service accounts if they are running under the admin account (Which they shouldnt be)

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

Peterson50

ASKER

Doing a search found a site called fastcrack.com which will read the hash and send back the password for 9.95, would you trust this or rather go ahead and reset the password.

Thanks

Paul

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Jay_Jay70

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Jeffrey Kane - TechSoEasy

I would absolutely agree with Jay_Jay70 (btw, how the heck are you?).

Reset the password. Fix the services.

Yes, it's a redundant answer... but it's just a vote for Jay's answer.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Jay_Jay70

:) Good Jeff, Exceedingly busy with exchange 2007 and a hundred other projects but well - am online if your free