batteredandscarred
asked on
Windows Server 2003 SBS, reset administrative password
I've read the other entries for resetting the administrator password for windows server 2003, but nothing is working.
I have the same general issue as the fella in this link:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22879998/Windows-SBS-2003-administrator-password-breaker.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+2003+administr+cannot+password+reset+sb+window
Here's my problem. I've tried everything. I've downloaded free password reset tools, I've paid for password reset tools, I've used the Windows Ultimate Boot CD, I've tried this process here:
http://www.petri.co.il/reset_domain_admin_password_in_windows_2000_ad.htm
I cannot reset the password for this Windows Server 2003 SBS administrator. When I try and login normally, my only option selectable is to log in to the domain xxxxx-xxxx.
I've reset the local administrator account and logged into the Directory Service Restore Mode and tried to log in with the 'administrator' and a blank password... no fly.
What is the definitive way to reset the administrator password for a single DC server running windows server 2003?
The previous tech guy had a field day on this server. Locked out all the user accounts and changed the singular administrator password. I'm screwed and I really don't want to have to charge this poor company $1000 to reinstall their server environment and point of sale software.
HELP, PLEASE!
I have the same general issue as the fella in this link:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22879998/Windows-SBS-2003-administrator-password-breaker.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+2003+administr+cannot+password+reset+sb+window
Here's my problem. I've tried everything. I've downloaded free password reset tools, I've paid for password reset tools, I've used the Windows Ultimate Boot CD, I've tried this process here:
http://www.petri.co.il/reset_domain_admin_password_in_windows_2000_ad.htm
I cannot reset the password for this Windows Server 2003 SBS administrator. When I try and login normally, my only option selectable is to log in to the domain xxxxx-xxxx.
I've reset the local administrator account and logged into the Directory Service Restore Mode and tried to log in with the 'administrator' and a blank password... no fly.
What is the definitive way to reset the administrator password for a single DC server running windows server 2003?
The previous tech guy had a field day on this server. Locked out all the user accounts and changed the singular administrator password. I'm screwed and I really don't want to have to charge this poor company $1000 to reinstall their server environment and point of sale software.
HELP, PLEASE!
Here is a link to instructions on how to reset admin password for 2003:
http://www.nobodix.org/seb/win2003_adminpass.html
http://www.nobodix.org/seb/win2003_adminpass.html
You may also need this to reset the local admin password.
http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
batteredandscarred can i do that with SBS 2003 ?
These comments are from RobWill that should help, it is more specific to 2003:
Recovering the password is near impossible. You will need to reset the password. Most of the password reset tools such as listed above will not work, as they are for non-domain controllers.
The process is not easy but is outlined in the following link. I recently did so and it works well. As outlined you need to change the AD restore mode password using Petter Nordahl-Hagen 's boot disk, then create a service that will change the password at boot.
http://www.petri.co.il/reset_domain_admin_password_in_windows_server_2003_ad.htm
There are very few options on A DC, the only other I am aware of is to buy 3rd party software such as:
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-enterprise.htm
hope this helps.