As Dlesap has confirmed, it does not take long to recover any passwords if you have the right programs to use. In my job, I work on many different software versions & I have a requirement at times, to obtain access on systems that have either have old software levels, been in storage for a number of years, or have come from a unknown source.
I have no idea what Nortel charges these days, but there should be safeguards put in place to stop people causing damage to systems. I'm sure that Scrumpy73 is a responsible engineer who has a genuine need for access to the main passwords, but how do we know that is the case?. I could end up helping somebody out who is..
A) Not authorised to work on the system
B) Breaches any current Mntce contract
C) Would use the knowledge to change the current passwords or remove important data.
Sorry to be a kill joy, but at the end of the day, I have no idea who you are?.
All the best
Firebird Scrambler
Meridian Programmer in the UK
Useful Nortel forum at
If it's working, then leave it alone!.