Recover or reset domain admin password
Dear experts,
I have a client who has a SBS2003. The IT guy left the company and is uncontactable (for whatever reason). No one knows what the domain admin password is so no one can actually log into the server.
They don't even know if there is anyone with domain admin rights so lets assume no one has this right.
I read article from Petri regarding reset domain admin password in Windows 2003 AD, that you first reset the admin password for directory restore mode and install and run SRVANY & IN STSRV to change the registry key for the domain admin password. OK I am fine with that although I haven't had chance to test it in any W2K3 AD.
However my question is, does this method work with SBS2003 too? Reason I am asking is that a W2K3 AD was an ordinary server before promoted to become an AD so it contains a local admin account (although that can be hiding once it becomes an AD). But SBS is difference as it is an AD coming from the box.
Has any expert been sucessfully recover or reset the domain admin password in SBS before? Its very urgent as I need to see them tomorrow.
Thank You.
Dan
I have a client who has a SBS2003. The IT guy left the company and is uncontactable (for whatever reason). No one knows what the domain admin password is so no one can actually log into the server.
They don't even know if there is anyone with domain admin rights so lets assume no one has this right.
I read article from Petri regarding reset domain admin password in Windows 2003 AD, that you first reset the admin password for directory restore mode and install and run SRVANY & IN STSRV to change the registry key for the domain admin password. OK I am fine with that although I haven't had chance to test it in any W2K3 AD.
However my question is, does this method work with SBS2003 too? Reason I am asking is that a W2K3 AD was an ordinary server before promoted to become an AD so it contains a local admin account (although that can be hiding once it becomes an AD). But SBS is difference as it is an AD coming from the box.
Has any expert been sucessfully recover or reset the domain admin password in SBS before? Its very urgent as I need to see them tomorrow.
Thank You.
Dan
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I dont think the pro version will do it. Enterprise may be expensive but it's cheaper than the time it will take to re-install the OS!
You could always call Microsoft to see if they can help. Although they may charge you more than $250 anyway...
You could always call Microsoft to see if they can help. Although they may charge you more than $250 anyway...
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