Don't know local admin account password

[u080570]

Is there a way to log in to an XP box when I don't know the local admin password?

I have a handful of machines that have bad nic cards so they no longer will log on to our network and the guy that originally set them up is long gone so i dont know the local admin account - am I stuck wiping them and starting from scratch?

 

[jrbarnett]

Why not replace the network card? Then login to the network with your domain login.
Alternative: Replace the network card, boot the PC from the Windows XP CD and do a repair reinstall. This will let you change the local administrator password to something of your own choosing, whilst keeping any local data intact.

Site policies do not permit me from giving answers other than those above or reinstalling from scratch.

John

 

[u080570]

I can put a new nic card in - but it wont be installed until you actually log in to XP.....Im just gonna wipe them...who knows what other issues they have, it will be easier to start from scratch...