OK here we go! My question is how in the world can you bypass an administrative lock or change the password? The reason for this is as follows: I am the manager of an apartment complex that I just inherited and the last manager that was here left on bad terms (FIRED!) and when she left she has all of the computers password locked. The odd thing about this is that you can download anything that you want off of the internet however, you can not delete anything that you have downloaded and the computers are slow as Christmas. There is just too much crap that she has installed on these computers and I need to remove all that I can. If there is anything that anyone can do to help me out I would be forever grateful. Thanks in advance :) Brian Goodwin

Even if there was a way no one would tell you. If you need to get access that badly format the machines. Sounds like they need a thorough clean out anyway. Matt www.bbcomputing.co.uk matt@bbcomputing.co.uk

Brian, If the password is through win XP pro and it sounds like your able to log in as a "Power User" there is nothing you can do. But do a clean install, if you owe her a last paycheck or something you can hold it ransom to get the password, just a thought! AMD 3200 A7N8X-Deluxe 1 Gig Corsair Swiftech Liquid Cooled 9700 Pro

"Start" "Log off" "Log off" "Alt-control-Del" release "Alt-Control-Del" Now in the new box that has poped up. Type this in the user. Administrator leave the password blank. Log in.. Go to the control panel, users, and either make your user an Administrator or create a new user with Admin profiles. ------ Get FireFox You'll be happy you did.

OH,, if the Administrator has a password and you dont know it. You can use EBCD and boot with that. Use the NT password utility to erase the Admin password. ------ Get FireFox You'll be happy you did.

also you can take out the HDD and hook it up to another computer as a "slave drive" and get all the files you need of of it. then i would reinstall everything! or get a new computer.

A couple more solutions Lost password , XP User Account with Admin or limited Privileges. This procedure only works if you can enter safe mode thru the Admin Account 1-Boot to Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key while booting 2-Choose safe mode, Press Enter 3-Select operating system, Press Enter 4-Click Administrator Account 5-Windows is running in Safe Mode, Click YES 6-At the Safe Mode Desktop, click, Start, Control Panel 7-Double click User Accounts 8-Click Your account (or the account you are locked out of) 9-click, Remove Password 10-Click, Remove Password again 11-Close all Windows 12-Restart Computer 13-Back at the normal desktop re-enter the Control Panel 14-Open User Accounts, Open your Account. 15- Add a password, or not!! 16-Done... Solution Number Two Forgotten a user account Password that has Admin or limited priviliges and you are not able to enter Safe Mode thru the Admin account. This procedure bypasses safe Mode to get to your User Account. This procedure will not work with a manf. System Recovery CD This is method requires a repair install so you must have the product key and be able to re-activate unless you have copied the wpa.dbl file to disc. 1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD) 2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd” 3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files. 4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now 5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it. 6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair. It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it” Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process. 7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes. 8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds” 9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted. 10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system. 11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel. 12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy). 13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact. You cannot cancel the install after making the changes, Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.