I bought this used computer, I want to know how can I reset the administrator password.
I want to install some programs but it won't let me.
When I get the log in screen I always click cancel because the computer its not connected to the network. Is there a way for me to reset the administrator password.
Please let me know.
Thanks.

there is a way.... e-mail me with the subject as "helpme" I would tell you here but that will violite the rules

There is no big secret here. Actually it is probably the most commonly asked question. Do a search of this site and you'll find more replies than you can count.

When you bought the computer the install CD would/
should have come with it. Just reinstall the OS.

Reinstall the OS, that way you know exactly what is
on the machine.

Would I loose my License if I reinstall the OS?
The computer has a serial number for the OS

A Licence can be transfered. When you bought the
computer the CD of the OS came with it, so that
person is transfering the ownership to you, and this
is legal as long as they no longer have a copy of the
CD, or software.

If and whne you have to call Micro$oft just tell them
that you bought the cmputer and software from a
friend and you now own the stuff. They should not
complain.

http://www.computing.net/windows2000/wwwboard/forum/51965.html

covers many of the usual solutions offered here (and elsewhere)

And

http://www.easywindows.com/messages/5682.html

discusses yet another approach...

The latter may be one of the most practical/easiest to follow?

What I want to know is how can you click cancel at the log on prompt and still use the puter?

I know that worked on win9x, but win2k?

Maybe it's just me, but, ?????

Rick:

No - NT/W2K/XP do not allow the simple cancel option... An "auto" logon can be enabled though - in so many ways - depending on your preferences/circumstances/security requirments?

Some is simple (the first and second below?) some less so???

http://www.chicagotech.net/winlogon.htm

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-103

support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q234/5/62.ASP

http://www.xtremepccentral.com/forums/archive/39/2001/10/4/19

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/13/

trvlr

read the first post, they said they don't know the password so they click cancel.

quote;

"When I get the log in screen I always click cancel because the computer its not connected to the network"

hence my question.

Rick:

" What I want to know is how can you click cancel at the log on prompt and still use the puter? I know that worked on win9x, but win2k? "

My response (#8) answered that aspect; then went on to offer a few ways to allow something similar... i.e. auto-logon. viz:

If the system is 'initially' configured to by-pass the logon (i.e it becomes an auto-logon...) then it is in effect possible to gain access without knowledge of 'any' valid password (one does not need to press cancel or any other key...). Albeit setting the system to actually by-pass the whole logon sequence allows 'anyone' to gain access; and there is no need to "cancel". Otherwise no password = no access...

Perhaps not quite what you're after, but with the NT family that's as close as you can get to the '9x/ME approach. Only '9x/ME allow the 'cancel' option to boot thru' to desktop from the logon dialogue.

Pressing 'cancel' in '9x/ME is not unsimilar in its approach to an auto-logon? The obvious difference being that unlike the auto-logon approach for the NT family, 'you' have to press 'cancel' (when you do 'not' know a valid password for '9x/ME) - and you're in... The NT family auto-logon removes the need for your intervention...

The security in '9x/ME is not really 'secure'...; whereas in the NT family security is 'noticeable'...

" Is there a way for me to reset the administrator password. "

Post #6 (my initial response) offers link(s) to various ways to do just that...