Administrator Account Problems - HELP ME!!

[19heather76]

When I started working for my last company, they gave me a laptop to use for my work. Upon leaving the company, they offered me the option of buying my laptop at a huge discount (they always buy new ones for new employees anyway). So, I bought it.

The problem is, when the company first purchased the laptop, they put an administrator account on it, and I don't have the password. I never had the password. Now I'm having problems because I can't download and/or install hardly anything without it prompting me to log in as the administrator. I can't even download things like Yahoo Messenger.

I can't get the administrator password because the tech guy who had it is no longer with the company and he didn't leave any records for my laptop. So, I'm stuck. The computer works fine and I don't have any problems with it, except for the fact that this stupid administrator account is on here and I have no way to bypass it. I own the computer now and can't even use it the way I want to. What do I do??

Is there a way to bypass this administrator account, or disable it altogether? I thought about reinstalling Windows and starting over from scratch, but there wasn't a Windows restore disk with the computer. There's a System Restore option on the computer itself, but I can't even use that without administrator priveleges. I'm getting really mad and don't know how to get around this. Can anyone help???

 

[ECTech]

your best bet is to take it back to the company and have someone from the IT department remove those restictions. there are tools around that can reset ur password. however i highly recommend letting someone who knows the computer a little better to perform such an operation.

 

[19heather76]

I can't take it back to the company. They are in Connecticut, and I have moved back home to North Carolina. Am I stuck with this?

 

[ECTech]

you could reinstall windows.

 

[Osiris]

no, no, no, go here

http://www.techist.com/showthread.php?threadid=61575


the fastest way is to use ERD Commanders locksmith.

This is a local account correct? If so this will work.

 

[19heather76]

I just looked at the link you provided and I don't understand ANY of it. ??

 

[19heather76]

you could reinstall windows.

The computer didn't come with a Windows disk. Instead it came with some kind of system restore installed on the computer, and I can't access it without the administrator password.

 

[superdave1984]

Do you have an XP disk of your own? Can you borrow one? If so, try this trick:
http://techist.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128389&highlight=hacking

Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After youÂ’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.