Install OS with no floppy or cd drive available

[jonohara]

I've just inherited a Dell Laptop with windows 2000 prof. The problem is i don't know the password. I want to install another OS but there is no floppy or CD drive with the laptop. How can I install the OS without getting hold of an external floppy (I've got an external CD writer, other PCs, x-over cable network cards etc), would something like laplink or pcghost be any use?

Thanks

 

[crazy888s]

What do you need to know the password for? Is it a Windows 2000 password, a BIOS password that prompts you right when the PC turns on, or some other password?

 

[jonohara]

It's the windows 2000 password
Thanks

 

[jsauce]

I think you are going to need a cdrom drive with boot capability, so you can boot to the disk and use the recovery console, then all you have to do is delete or rename the SAM file in \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG and what you are left with is an administrator account without a password, it deletes all the accounts other than the administrator.

Windows 2000 is pretty easy to crack.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator