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win2k login failed 1

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rastaforte

Programmer
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
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I have win2k installed and was "smart" enough to delete all users (including administrators)when I first installed. I only had one admin user for myself and the password no longer works. What is the simplest way to get around this so that I can log on and set up a new user or reset my previous user password?
 
rasta, i wrote this thread on another forum and it is also available here. take note that if you have changed to ntfs structure this will not work, but fat32 is a snap. let me know if this works for you, if not i can find the ntfs method for you. good luck.
everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
Thx! I'll try this - however, I probably should consider the system-wide consequences of just deleting the SAM key. I'll research this and then give your suggestion a try
 
the only thing that it deletes is the user groups and corresponding passwords, sam is nothing more than a file where they are kept. the sam file is still in tact just nothing in it. good luck. everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
sorri it is NTFS file system...
 
ok rasta let me look and see if i can find it for you stay tuned more to come. lol everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
here ya go.
If Windows 2000 is installed on an NTFS partition, you have two options--both of which require a bit of work. One option is to use a utility that allows you to read/write on an NTFS partition, such as NTFSDOS from Winternals. You can then use a DOS or Windows 9x bootable floppy to boot the computer and delete the SAM file.

Or you can delete the SAM file from another instance of Windows 2000 if you don't want to fool with old bootable floppies. This requires you to install a temporary instance of Windows 2000 on the same computer and delete the file from there. After you log on to your original installation, you can remove the temporary one.

There's a slightly different method you can try if you don't want to lose all your existing user accounts. By default, Windows 2000 starts a special screen saver (located in Logon.scr) when no one logs on for a certain period of time. If you rename Cmd.exe to Logon.scr, the system will open the command prompt under the system account instead of the screen saver.

Once you get the command prompt, type net user administrator mynewpassword, where mynewpassword is the password you want to assign to the administrator account. You won't have problems copying Cmd.exe to Logon.scr if you have FAT/FAT32, but with NTFS, you'll have to come up with something else (e.g., a new parallel installation of Windows 2000).
everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
Much thx for the help - you been great :)
 
not a problem rasta, i hope it all works out for you. everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
wolluf, where did you find that, i have been looking for an easy way to get in to w2k? thank you, i wish i would have known about that months ago. lol. everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
 
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