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Permalink Reply by Wandering I on August 27, 2011 at 8:23pm

Without having access to burning a cd or copying some files to a usb drive, theres not really an easy way to do it unfortunately.   If you can somehow get access to a cd burner and they don't mind the download, get on google and search for OPHcrack for windows vista/7.   Its a burnable cd image that will autorun and show you all the passwords for your windows users.   Its a great tool, but you need physical access to a cd burner to use it.

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Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on September 3, 2011 at 1:00pm

Thank you Wandering.  I appreciate your help.

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Permalink Reply by JT on September 3, 2011 at 8:20pm

I tried Wandering’s suggested OPHcrack but found that it only works with the 32 bit versions of Windows 7. It can be installed on a USB stick.

 It is generally not advised to tamper around with the built in administrator account of Windows 7. If you do not need it or do not know why you would need it, then don’t. As long as the User ID that you regularly use is a member of the Administrator’s group then you can always just right click on an Executable File and select “Run as Administrator”

 

You can try the “KISS” method and Reboot to Safe Mode:
During the initial boot (after you first power up the computer) repeatedly press the F8 key multiple times (after the startup logo and before Windows 7 starts loading). 

 

There will be at least 2 user accounts listed on the Safe Mode screen, one will be the account name you use plus a second user account named 'Administrator' which is the default/built-in Administrator account. 

Normally the 'Administrator' account has no password (blank). Try to logon using the built in 'Administrator' account.

 

Here is a quick rundown on how to enable or disable the Windows 7 administrator account.

The easiest way to enable or disable the Windows 7 build in administrator account is from the command line. Open a command prompt with administrator rights. This is done by right-clicking on the command prompt icon in the Windows 7 start menu and selecting Run As Administrator from the available options.

 

To enable the Windows 7 administrator account:

net user administrator /active:yes

To disable the Windows 7 administrator account:

net user administrator /active:no

To change the password of the Windows 7 administrator account:

Net user administrator password

 

There are 6 different versions of Windows 7 and, I believe, you cannot activate the Administrator in the Starter Edition or the Home Edition but I have, personally, have never tried them. I consider them to be similar to XP Home Edition. So, I stay away from them because I have no need for them and would never recommend either of them.

 

You can activate the Administrator in the Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.

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Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on September 4, 2011 at 12:21am

J T you are a darling and for anything that I ever said to you to make you mad at me, I apologize with all of my heart. Truly. :)

I just tried the run as administrator from the command prompt in accessories. That will not work because it brings up my log in page as administrator . 

Right now, my brain is fried from working with this for two weeks between other task.  I am going to come back to this tomorrow and read it again since it is so late now.  I know you know what you are talking about because you helped be many times with awesome results.

I have two accounts on my new computer.  Administrator and guest.  I can not get my updates from windows or even download any program with being able to get into it.

As far as me getting into safe mode and finding a C Prompt, that is a mystery to me. I can get into safe mode but I can't find a way to get a bios screen.  I suppose that is what it is called.

Just because you answered, you get something nice. ha ha...dang, I miss the good old days.

Don't you love them?

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Permalink Reply by JT on September 4, 2011 at 11:41am

Download Hiren’s Boot CD from: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/  (In the middle of the page you will see “Filename” and then the link for the download afterwards.

 

Download Universal USB installer from: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Universal-USB-I...

 

Run the Universal USB installer and point it towards the drive letter of your USB Flash Drive.

Select Hiren’s Boot CD from the pull down.

 

It takes about an hour or so to run.

 

Verify that the Root of the Flash Drive has all of the files that you see below. If not then copy grldr and menu.lst (from HBCD folder) to the usb drive’s root folder. Finally contents of your USB Flash Drive should look like as below:

 

Next reboot your machine and select from the initial screen F12 for the “Boot Selection” (it may be different on your machine).

Select your USB Drive. Press enter to take the Defaults (about 3 to 5 times). When you get to the Menu then select the one that cotains “Change Password…SAM”

 

You will have to press enter a few more times and then you will be able to change the Administrator’s password to be a “Blank”.

 

Select “Exit” or “Q” to Quit and then Save (Please make sure that you read the screen - my instructions are not exact).

 

Reboot your machine and remove the USB Flash Drive.

 

Select Administrator and leave the password field blank. You should then be able to get to the Administrator’s Desktop.

 

I would advise that once you are logged on for you to go to the Control Panel /User Accounts.

 

From there you should create a User ID and make it an Administrator. This is the User ID that you should use normally. Also create a password for the New User ID. I would also give the Administrator a password (a different password – of course).  

 

I would also Disable the “Guest” User ID (Unless you have other people that visit and use your machine).

You should not use the Administrator’s User ID for normal usage.

 

Even though the new User ID that you created is an Administrator there will be times where/when you will need to Right Click and Select “Run as Administrator” for many Executables. (This is the way that Microsoft designed both Vista and Windows 7).

 

 

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Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on September 6, 2011 at 10:06am

Thank you so much JT.  I plan to get on this today.  I can do it.

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Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on September 15, 2011 at 7:15pm

J T  .....  I downloaded both files but when I tried to open them, they were corrupt.  Any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by JT on September 16, 2011 at 4:12pm

The only thing I can say is you'll have to try again

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Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on February 11, 2012 at 2:36pm

The amazing thing about this is I asked all of my Geeks friends for an answer but it was my son who has little experience with computers who solved my problem. 

That just goes to show that anyone with the desire can learn anything.  He read for about a week and then came to me saying he had burned a CD with all I needed and he was right. 

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