Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: meeg on July 23, 2009, 06:16:16 AM

Title: forgotten computer login password
Post by: meeg on July 23, 2009, 06:16:16 AM
how do i log in to a computer when i have forgotten the password...I am looking for a reformat alternativee.  I am on Vista
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 23, 2009, 06:17:08 AM
You can't. Sorry, bud.
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: w7itman on July 24, 2009, 04:55:10 AM
You can't. Sorry, bud.
Actually you are totally wrong dude I have been in the it trade for 12 years. Most people know how to reset windows passwords if they are lost and mac passwords too its not rocket science.

.  There is such thing called a password reset disk. There is also a method by booting in safe mode too.

If you want too create a password reset disk pm me.
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: BC_Programmer on July 24, 2009, 10:04:20 AM
the OP will need the password reset disk; which means they will have had to taken the extra step of creating it.

of course, if you don't mean the windows created "password reset disk" but rather a "password cracker", well; there is a caveat there.


All Password "cracker" tools I've seen took advantage of a subtle weakness of the original LM-type hashes, which are generated for compatibility reasons. If you use a password that is longer then a certain length or has certain characters then no LM (Lan Manager) hash is generated (meaning there is no hash to crack). In that case the only thing left is the newer  NTLM hashes which would be difficult to crack in a timely fashion on a modern PC.

here's some more info on that:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299656


But for the sake of argument the original question asked if they could log on without a password; and Carbon answered it properly. If they got the password using one of these disks then they would be logging on with the password, which probably solves their situation but would not technically answer their question. (although in all fairness the basic idea here is to solve the larger problem rather then bicker about exactly what the question asked). Additionally I might query the use of the word "dude" and the claim of being in the "trade" for 12 years, most people who are old enough to have been doing this for 12 years have removed the word "dude" from their everyday vernacular, and additionally it's not a "trade"... a "trade" would be something like carpentry, roofing, etc, jobs where you can get an apprenticeship. PC repair is rather a niche business type generated by the easy access to PCs by the general population, who know little about the workings of a PC.
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: morton007 on July 24, 2009, 02:57:15 PM
aint there a web site u can use to get in to your pc from a diffrent one
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: Mulreay on July 24, 2009, 03:16:52 PM
aint there a web site u can use to get in to your pc from a diffrent one


Not from here no.
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: computeruler on July 24, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
I thought this kind of thing cant be discussed here? Isnt it in the rules or am I just imagining things?
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: Mulreay on July 24, 2009, 03:34:14 PM
Not from here no.

What else do I say?
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: patio on July 24, 2009, 04:55:25 PM
Asparagus...try that password.
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: Quantos on July 24, 2009, 04:56:56 PM
So, how about those <insert sports team here>?
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: meeg on August 08, 2009, 07:22:14 AM
actually, there is a password and i am unable to change it...i can get in to the computer but not change the password
Title: Re: forgotten computer login password
Post by: Quantos on August 10, 2009, 05:35:09 PM
You need appropriate permissions to change passwords.  You can't set an administrator password while logged in at a lower access level.