I have a similar problem, but it appears to be the "hidden" password that has
been set - is my only solution to buy a new hard-drive?

"TaurArian" wrote:

> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290260
> EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are Unavailable After a Password
> Is Reset
>
> Windows Home XP
> 1. As windows is loading up press F8 repeatedly until the Windows advanced screen
> comes up.
> 2. Select safe mode (the version of windows you want to use click XP wait until it
> loads the welcome screen.
> 3. Select Administrator and it will log you on as administrator without a password
> (provided a password was not created in this hidden account during setup).
> 4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
> 5. Select your name and click change the password.
> Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
> normal mode and use the new password you just created.
>
> ****
> If you have XP Pro on your computer:-
> 1. At the log in screen “ ctrl-alt-delete “ twice.
> 2. In the User Account, type Administrator
> 3. Leave the password blank and press enter.
> (Most likely a password wasn’t created in this hidden account during setup).
> 4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
> 5. Select your name and click change the password.
> Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
> normal mode and use the new password you just created.
>
> If you decide to set a password it is recommended that you create a Password Reset
> Disk by clicking on "Prevent a Forgotten Password" link in the left pane. The Wizard
> will guide you through.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;321305
> How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires
>
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/lostpass.htm
> lists a few more options
>
> Useful tools - Nir Soft at www.nirsoft.net
> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html#password_utils
>
>
> "UndaMyCuvaz" <UndaMyCuvaz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C55BAA1C-9F0D-4CA3-929A-64CBDD0DCCA7@microsoft.com...
> > Hi all
> > My lovely children's friends ramsacked my house while I was away on vacation
> > for 3 days. When I came home, my brand new (15day old Notebook) had a
> > Windows Password on it. Nobody seems to know how it got there and what the
> > password is. I have my receipt to prove I am the owner but Best Buy wants to
> > charge me a minimum of 65$ to 'UN' password it. I was wondering if there is
> > a website that can walk me through the same process they would rather charge
> > me for?
> >
> > Thank you...
> >
> > ps> reformatting is not an option since all my business stuff is on it.
> >
> > Sharyn
> >
>
>

Sal wrote:
> I have a similar problem, but it appears to be the "hidden" password that has
> been set - is my only solution to buy a new hard-drive?

No.

Go to http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/ and download the boot
disk, this will enable you to reset any system password on an NT class
operating system.

>
> "TaurArian" wrote:
>
> > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290260
> > EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are Unavailable After a Password
> > Is Reset
> >
> > Windows Home XP
> > 1. As windows is loading up press F8 repeatedly until the Windows advanced screen
> > comes up.
> > 2. Select safe mode (the version of windows you want to use click XP wait until it
> > loads the welcome screen.
> > 3. Select Administrator and it will log you on as administrator without a password
> > (provided a password was not created in this hidden account during setup).
> > 4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
> > 5. Select your name and click change the password.
> > Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
> > normal mode and use the new password you just created.
> >
> > ****
> > If you have XP Pro on your computer:-
> > 1. At the log in screen " ctrl-alt-delete " twice.
> > 2. In the User Account, type Administrator
> > 3. Leave the password blank and press enter.
> > (Most likely a password wasn't created in this hidden account during setup).
> > 4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
> > 5. Select your name and click change the password.
> > Then you should be able to change the password, shut down the computer and restart in
> > normal mode and use the new password you just created.
> >
> > If you decide to set a password it is recommended that you create a Password Reset
> > Disk by clicking on "Prevent a Forgotten Password" link in the left pane. The Wizard
> > will guide you through.
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;321305
> > How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires
> >
> > http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/lostpass.htm
> > lists a few more options
> >
> > Useful tools - Nir Soft at www.nirsoft.net
> > http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html#password_utils
> >
> >
> > "UndaMyCuvaz" <UndaMyCuvaz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:C55BAA1C-9F0D-4CA3-929A-64CBDD0DCCA7@microsoft.com...
> > > Hi all
> > > My lovely children's friends ramsacked my house while I was away on vacation
> > > for 3 days. When I came home, my brand new (15day old Notebook) had a
> > > Windows Password on it. Nobody seems to know how it got there and what the
> > > password is. I have my receipt to prove I am the owner but Best Buy wants to
> > > charge me a minimum of 65$ to 'UN' password it. I was wondering if there is
> > > a website that can walk me through the same process they would rather charge
> > > me for?
> > >
> > > Thank you...
> > >
> > > ps> reformatting is not an option since all my business stuff is on it.
> > >
> > > Sharyn
> > >
> >
> >

Hi,


I suppose you can really reset the password using Active@ password
changer utility. It worked for me, it is really powerful and small. You
should definately try it.

http://www.password-changer.com/