locked out of laptop

[MrsNlynah]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and hope that someone can help me. I have an old laptop that I want to start to use for traveling. I installed Windows 2000 (upgrade from '98).

I had created a password for it. Then I got the message that the password was expiring. So I went into the Control Panel-->Users and Passwords. I clicked on the option for the password would not have to be reset (don't remember the exact option).

Needless to say, when I try to log on now, it is not accepting the password or if I put in no password it still is not allowing me to get in. I have no Admin password and cannot get in that way either.

Can anyone help me.

Thanks soo very much

[alex zorrilla]

Do you care about the data on the computer? If not, you may try reinstalling Windows 2000 on the computer. I forget, but there may be a "repair" option that installs over your existing setup while trying to preserve the data. It may also ask you for a new username and password in the process.

It has been a while, so I do not remember exactly what is available in the Windows 2000 setup.

[jokiin]

There is a repair option, if you do not use the same service pack version as what was previously installed though it overwrites the existing install anyway, obviously you would need to know which service pack you had and used a slipstreamed copy of win2k with the same service pack. From memory though when you do this it will still leave you locked out when completed. It's much easier just to reset the password, I can give you further details on how to do this as long as you have access to a PC with a burner, you need to download a special boot disc and burn it to disc

[MrsNlynah]

Thank you so much. Yes I do have access to a computer with a burner. I would really appreciate this, as I am leaving on Thursday for a very important conference.

[jokiin]

Grab a copy of EBCD Lite from here http://ebcd.pcministry.com/ it's pretty self explanatory.

[nsu]

Probably not a good suggestion for the thread starter. A friend once had the same problem, the only way I could reset the password was using a Linux boot CD (downloadable from net somewhere). After booting, Linux loaded the NTFS support module, then the password file was rewritten. I remember there were quite a few commands needed to be entered through the console. So this method is only recommended for the tech type person.

[jokiin]

The link I posted is for a Linux boot disc, it has a pretty simple password reset function which works well, I have given this to novice users before and they have managed it without issue. Of course if in doubt feel free to ask first.

[MrsNlynah]

Thanks so much, I will try this