Windows Vista Password Problem

[hortonwho]

I've been having trouble logging on to my windows vista admin account on my laptop for a week now.
It first started when I tried to log on to my Facebook account on Monday. I knew the password inside out, the caps lock was not on and I knew I made no mistake. But it didn't let me in. So, I changed the password instead, turned off my laptop and forgot about it.
The very next day, bright and early, I discover that I cannot log on to my computer anymore. Coincidentally, my password for my user account was the same password for my Facebook account.
Now, after trying for two days straight trying to log on to my account using my password, which I knew was right (I made no mistakes, and this is the first time anything like this has happened), I gave up. Then yesterday, maybe a week later, I log on, and voila. Like magic, my computer lets me in.
SO. I quickly run a virus scan with Norton Antivirus as well as my own Microsoft virus program installed on windows vista (even though it was fine before I turned off my computer that fateful day) and I attempt to change my password afterwards. What do I find? Well, I need my old password to make a new one, right? That same password I used to log on to my computer just moments ago, was rejected, once again.
It tells me that it is not the correct password.
I tell it some very bad words.
So, later,  I think, maybe I should just delete my account so I can access my computer without a password. I go to Security Central and turn off the User Account Control. It prompts me to enter a new user account and password, so I do. Then, I restart my computer.
This time, not only does my new user account and password not work, but when I try to switch users to "guest", which I shouldn't need a password for, it needs a password to continue. Even though I didn't make one and I'm pretty sure I turned off the user account thing anyway, so why is this happening to me?
Well, there's my story. I would really, really appreciate it if anyone could tell me what's going on. It just happened randomly, and everything was normal before that day, and I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if this was the doings of a virus.
If you have any tips, or if you know what's going on and I'm just missing something completely because I'm a dolt, then please point that out for me, because I really miss my laptop, even though it's being a real pain right now.
Thanks very much in advance.

-Horton

P.S. I have a Toshiba laptop.

[patio]

Best one this Month.

[Dias de verano]

I really miss my laptop

Classic 

[cryhelp]

Reads like a script for new TV Series.

[KenJackson]

If you google crack windows password, you'll see there are lots and lots of advice and tools to solve this.  Since it's your own computer you are cracking, there is no ethical issue.

I never tried any of these, though someone I worked with used something to crack the password to an old unused Windows machine that had been lying around the office for too long.

[Dias de verano]

Since it's your own computer you are cracking, there is no ethical issue

How do you know that, hotshot? 

These threads have an unfortunate habit of going in a certain direction...

[KenJackson]

How do you know that, hotshot? 

These threads have an unfortunate habit of going in a certain direction...

Hotshot?

Because the operative words were "my laptop".

I didn't provide any new information.  Everything is already out there.

[Dias de verano]

Because the operative words were "my laptop".

But my point was, how do we know that's true?

Anyone who has been around forums for a while has seen a squillion "reasons" why laptop passwords get "changed" or "forgotten". The kids, the girlfriend, a relative, the dog. Some may be true, some may not. There is no way to tell. The only sensible option is to advise the questioner to go to either the manufacturer or manufacturer's agent, or a commercial laptop repair company, who should, if they are reputable, ask for proof of ownership.

I didn't provide any new information.  Everything is already out there.

That doesn't mean we want it on here.

[KenJackson]

Loosing one's password is a common and perfectly legitimate computer problem.  It's so legitimate that even SourceForge, an honorable software site that is above reproach, hosts ophcrack which sees 7000 to 10000 downloads per day.

He claims to own the laptop.  If he is a thief looking for information about how access the laptop he stole, he sure is doing it in a round-about way.  In fact, I considered that before posting and decided his story is very believable.

Ultimately, each person is responsible for his own actions.  If someone stole a laptop, the guilt can't be transferred to someone who believes he is giving legitimate help.

For the analogy, consider if you lock his keys in your car.  It's your car.  Do you just abandon it?  Or do you get in the same way a thief would?  Is it wrong for you to help your neighbor get back into his own car?

[cryhelp]

Reminds me of Forest Gump.

[hortonwho]

The problem isn't that I forgot my password, merely that my password isn't working. I have no idea how this happened, and I've been considering the possibility of getting my computer checked by the Staples store I bought this model from.
No, I didn't steal it, I bought it.
But I suppose I can't really prove it on a forum on the Internet so you guys can either believe me or not. I don't want to cause any trouble, I just needed some feedback on if this was a common problem and if it could be solved easily without having to spend the money to see a specialist.
I'm going to bring in my computer after all, so thanks all for the help and the skepticism.

-Horton

[Dias de verano]

Is it wrong for you to help your neighbor get back into his own car?

Poor analogy. You know your neighbour. You know his car. You don't know a stranger on the internet.

[KenJackson]

No, I didn't steal it, I bought it.
But I suppose I can't really prove it on a forum on the Internet so you guys can either believe me or not. I don't want to cause any trouble, I just needed some feedback on if this was a common problem and if it could be solved easily without having to spend the money to see a specialist.

You aren't causing a problem.  You are simply asking for help for the problem that is afflicting you.  You're doing exactly what this forum was setup for.

The tension displayed in this thread is ultimately caused by the Microsoft policy of security by obscurity.  That is, if there is a way to defeat security on a Microsoft system, everyone is supposed to keep it a secret. 

Compare that with the free software world, in which if there is a security problem, it is broadcast to all concerned so a secure solution can be coded and promulgated with unmatched haste.

[cryhelp]

Two Items and then I am done.  #1. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but in Texas, it doesn't matter, if you were helping someone who you believed, break in a car or a computer that you thought was theirs, you immediately become an accessory and the Judge does not care if you thought you were doing good.  #2.  I really don't think this forum was set up to help someone break a password or to debate those merits, but then I am not a moderator.