can't access user accounts

[techlink]

I am working on a windows xp machine that has a password protected user account the customer wants the password removed but I can't open the user account through the control panel even in safe mode. Any suggestions?

 

[linney]

Try Safe Mode and see if you can enter the Administrator account with a blank password.


This article is not as hopeful as it sounds but have a read anyway.

321305 - How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321305&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

305478 - HOW TO: Create and Use a Password Reset Disk for a Computer That Is Not a Domain

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305478&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

306214 - How to create and use a password reset disk for a computer in a domain in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306214&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

There are many sites that can help you further with lost or forgotten passwords (Google for instance) but this site for security and ethical reasons does not support that policy. Sorry about that, but if we can help in any other way please try us again.



Recovering a user's password. (Help and Support)

If you forget your password on a computer that is part of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer, check your password hint. (Your password hint is located on the Welcome screen beside the password prompt.)

If you have a password reset disk, you can use it to create a new password for your account. Your personalized computer settings will be retained. For more information about using the Forgotten Password Wizard to create a password reset disk, click Related Topics.

If your password hint does not help you remember your password and you did not create a password reset disk, you will need to have someone with a computer administrator account create a new password for you. For security reasons, a computer administrator cannot recover your password if you forget it; he or she can only create a new one for you.

Note

A user with a computer administrator account can create or change passwords for all users on the computer. Users with limited accounts can create and change their own passwords, as well as create password hints.


Big Note**************

If a user with a computer administrator account changes the password for another user, that user will lose all EFS-encrypted files, personal certificates, and stored passwords for Web sites or network resources.

 

[techlink]

Maybe I wasn't clear on this. This is not a matter of a lost or forgotten password, the problem is that I can't access the user accounts to change or remove the passwords of any account, even in safe mode. The computer starts ok I can log on to the user with the password ok, but when I go to the control panel > user accounts nothing happens. I need to get into the user accounts settings, is there another way to get there?

 

[MrTBC]

Hi techlink.
Are you logged on as the Administrator? That should let you change any password.

 

[techlink]

yes I am logged on as administrator, the problem is I can't open the user accounts even in safe mode. Start > control panel > user accounts, doesn't do anything

 

[MrTBC]

C:\WINDOWS\system32\nusrmgr.cpl is an alternative way of opening this.

 

[techlink]

tried that no luck, can't find file nusrmgr.cpl

 

[techlink]

found the file, still won't open

 

[MrTBC]

Check that nusrmgr.cpl exists in C:\Windows\System32 and in C:\Windows\System32\dllcache (You may have to 'Show hidden files and folders' in Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View to show this folder). If it does exist in both folders, delete it out of C:\Windows\System32. It should be replaced immediately (at the end of the file listing) by the copy from the dllcache folder.

Can you do a System Restore back to before the problem started?

Try=> Start=> run=> control userpasswords2=> ok.
It will give you the windows 2000 style username and passwords gui.

 

[techlink]

the Start=> run=> control userpasswords2=> ok didn't help. I don't think the system restore will either as I have just recovered from a virus and did a full system scan with the restore turned off so there is no current restore point.

 

[MrTBC]

Short of running a repair from your Setup disk, that's me out of ideas then.
Sorry.

 

[techlink]

thanks anyway C:\Windows\System32\dllcache doen't contain the nsrmgr.cpl file but in a full system scan it shows up in C:\i386

 

[GlenLynam]

just a thought try right clicking my computer - manage - choose local users and groups - users. Maybe you can do what your trying to do from here? To reset the password you need to right click the user account.

G

 

[techlink]

the local users and groups is not there, sounds like a repair install may be in order if the owner can find the windows xp disk, otherwise I think they will just have to keep putting the password every time they startup

 

[beerhunter2]

Have you tried <ctrl><alt><del> and then click on the "Change Password" button?

Help! I've fallen and I can't reach my beer.