windows key..password reset HELP

[crossgate]

Im trying to fix an error on a friends computer.  He is 77 yrs. old and had never used a password to get into windows before.  He was at Staples talking to someone about Norton and purchased 360. He installed it and it told him his PC was weak and prompted him to the " Control panel" , "User accounts" "Passwords" He says that he tried to enter in a password and it was not accepted so he chose a different one and got the same messege. This went on for about a dozen attempts then the computer froze.  He flipped the switch on the power strip and then restarted his computer.  Now when his Windows XP Prof. begins to load the " Windows log-on" screen appears with " administraitor" in the username space and a flashing cursor in the password space.  He used to be able to leave it blank and press ok. That isnt working now. It says he needs to re enter his password.    We called HP,  Microsoft, Norton.  They all say they cannot reset it but a third party can thru software.  I found a site LostPasswords.com and purchased a windows key to create a bootable cd.  That is all done  but there is no instruction on how to use it if you cannot get into windows first.  They have no live Tech Sup.  only email and have not heard back from them.     Is there a way i can get into DOS before I get to windows log on screen and access the D: drive to use reboot disk?  Please help im pulling hair out on this one.  Two days and 9 hours on this already...help help help

Thank you!

[ahamelin]

if you need to get to dos find another working computer and make a windows boot disk, I believe there is one on this site that will work for all versions of windows, throw the boot disk in and it should work, if it doesn't find the disk then you might have to go into the bios, most computers you press the delete key when you first turn the computer on, and make it so it looks for floppy disks or in the a: drive on startup. From the boot disk you should be able to get into dos prompt and run whatever you need. Best of luck. 

[3ddy]

search for a program called Ewido
it come with a utility for reseting passwords on anything before XP service pack2

[diablo416]

this is a windows user password?
go into safemode by pressing f8 till it beeps at startup..
log in as administrator by default unless he set one their will be no administrator password
this account would be different then a administrator account in non safe-mode.
log in ,goto users and remove the password on the account in question..

[patio]

search for a program called Ewido
it come with a utility for reseting passwords on anything before XP service pack2

Ewido is a trojan scanning program

[SOAP]

Try using Ophcrack to get his password.  All you have to do is this:
1. Put the disk in while it is booting up.
2. Turn off computer.
3. Turn back on.
4. Enter BIOS (often f1 or DEL)
5. Click the 'Boot' option and have it boot from your cd drive first. 
6. When Ophcrack loads use the arrow keys to click the top option Graphics mode
Vwalla! Let it do its stuff and there you go! You get your password back. It can crack passwords 14 characters or less.  It normally does the cracking under five minutes.
Now, the harder part, getting ophcrack. 1st ophcrack is legal so don't worry (as long as you only use it on your computer). And 2nd its FREE!!! All you need is a cd burner and a computer ( that you are not locked out of). Go here to download  Ophcrack Live CD.ISO.

 http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=133599&use_mirror=easynews&filename=ophcrack-livecd-1.2.1.iso&40965952

And, when you download Ophcrack, leave it in its WINRAR archive (just don't touch/extract it exept to move it to a folder or something). Go here to download a free software that makes burning .iso images easy. ---IMPORTANT, DON'T USE YOUR NORMAL BURNING WAY!!! YOU HAVE TO BURN THE ISO IMAGE NOT THE FILE!!!---

http://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk/

Just click on Get DVD Decrypter
 
Then when you have downloaded both of these, install dvd Decrypter. Once you have open it up, click Mode on the top tool bar, click the bottom ISO and then click Write W.

Now just Choose your destination (your cd burner with a blank cd) and choose which file you want to write ( It will have a thing that says please select a file).  Then click the Hard drive to disc picture that says click to write and your done!!!

If you have trouble understanding this please say so, it can be a bit confusing.