I've done a search on this issue but haven't found anything to help and the last post was around 2003. The problem is my laptop will not boot, not even into safe mode. it hangs on the screen where it asks to start normally or in safe mode. so i was hoping to use system recovery console but it asks for an admin password. I have tried all the defaults and none work. does anyone know of a free utility to reset the passwords? i found a utility that would work but dont want to spend $80 for a one time use. The passwords i ahve tried are: (blank), admin, Admin, administrator, Administrator, password, Password, owner, passwd, toshiba, Toshiba and a couple other of MY default passwords. I reinstalled the OS on this laptop about a month ago and i never set admin passwords so it should be blank but its not. Is there some type of default Toshiba embeds on their cds? Thanks, Joe

If you did not set a password, it is indeed blank. However, that is pretty much water under the bridge at this point. Have you tried austrumi?

It would be blank as above but Toshiba may. I have two of them but never bothered to look. Why not just to a restore from the DVD? There are also pages out there that show how to use ghost with some of the toshiba dvd's. If you need data off then get a live linux cd or a dos based live cd that can access those files and send them to a flash drive or shared network folder or CD-r. They took out the password app in the latest ausrumi live cd's I think but other live cd's may have it. When you search for xp administrator password floppy you get some site like loginrecovery. They offer a floppy or cd that can be used to send them a file if you should have a password. It cost a few bucks for a few hour service but free if you have a few days to wait. The cd or floppy would also show if there is a password if you look at the text file.

Astrumi can change passwords. Just checked.

Thanks for the replies... downloading Astrumi now... i will post the results.

ok, got it burnt to a cd. it boots to the cd. i must have a german version or something because some of the menu items are fireign to me. but i did manage to find a button for password. Clicked it and changed the password it asked me to but it was not the admin password. i shut down the laptop and tried to enter recovery console again but still says i am not entering the correct password. is there another tool on Astrumi i should be using?

Knoppix (Linux on a CD) would allow you in to gain access to data etc.; also to change the password. It takes a wee while to do it all re' password but allegedly (according to O'Reilly's Knoppix "hacks" - it will do all that's needed. (Incidentally the "hacks" - a semi-stiff paperback - are actually how to use the Knoppix package to its fullest extent; all perfectly legal stuff...) The CD can bought for a few $$$/£££; and (free) image can be found on the www which burn to a CD/DVD...?