Vista Password

[PorterComp]

I have a user who brough me their Vista machine for many issues. We tried to do a system restore on it and when we did, it changed the login password. We cannot determine what that password is. We have tried all previous passwords, but no luck. I could reload the thing, but really want to use that as a last resort. I've tried logging in in safe mode as administrator, but it won't give administrator as an option as you would see in XP.

Two questions. One, any clue why this could have done that?

Two, are there any ways around this? Password hacks? A way to reset the password so we can get into the machine?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Bryce W]

That definitely sounds weird. I am just speculating here but perhaps the builder of the PC has an image of Vista that they install on new PC's, which has a password and they change it after installation. The rollback could have returned it to the state before the password change?

There are XP based password hacks, might we worth trying them and see if they on Vista.

 

[idiot_savant]

I hope this link could help you...

 

[idiot_savant]

and also try reading this article

 

[Vitiated]

EDIT: Apparently I cannot post urls yet, but no bother!!! These are some great utilities:


Password Recovery Options:

Sala's Password Renew: h t t p : / / ubcd4win.com/ (Build the disk, this utility is there by default.)

Vista Compatible Password Reset Disk: h t t p : / / home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Petri Knowledge base: h t t p : / / w w w . petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm#1

 

[PorterComp]

Thanks for all the responses. I did eventually get into the machine and get the password reset. Still don't know how it happened. I used Sala's Password Renew booting with Bart PE boot disk. It worked great. I'll have to look into the other links you guys put up too. Thanks again.

Jason

 

[bagellad]

I also vouch for ultimate boot cd working with visa, very effective!

 

[seedubya]

This exact thing has happened to me twice. The System Restore seems to corrupt the password. Running last known good configuration after the restore has solved it both times.

 

[TimeCode]

That's interesting!

This exact thing has happened to me twice. The System Restore seems to corrupt the password. Running last known good configuration after the restore has solved it both times.

So after a restore you run the last known good configuration wizard (Sorry way too much SBS studying) and it repairs that! I would have thought that the PC would go haywire after that.

Good to know.

 

[seedubya]

The first time I did it was on the basis of advice from another tech. I was a bit leery of the idea but it worked. Second time too. Third time will probably cause the system to self destruct.....

 

[TimeCode]

The first time I did it was on the basis of advice from another tech. I was a bit leery of the idea but it worked. Second time too. Third time will probably cause the system to self destruct.....

Good luck with that!

 

[TechHelper]

Perhaps you can restore it to the point where the password wasn't changed yet?

 

[cpuguy]

hello there

Get a copy of hiren's boot cd it has a password resetting utility, that works great and it does work for vista. Hope this helps you out

 

[linky1124]

I think the best way for you is to reset windows password.

I think the best way for you is to reset windows password.
read the article in my blog: //blog.resetwindowspassword.com/how-to-recover-and-reset-password-in-vistaxp20032knt-for-free/