XP Pro - Locked out of admin profile

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Guest

Using Win XP Pro I recently had my keyboard drivers corrupt (only able to
type in bios, running off of the windows boot cd), and my admin account
requires a password (which I cannot enter) in order for me to roll
back/reinstall the drivers. I've tried to use the 'repair windows' option
but when asked for the administrator password I have no idea - I have no
memory of setting this password, and it isn't blank (or any of the passwords
that I can ever remember using!).

I guess what I'm asking is this: Is there a way to gain administrator
priviledges without needing to type? Or is there a way I can run the system
repair without knowing this mysterious administrator password? Do I really
have to reinstall windows (I would really, really like to not have to do
that)?

Tyler Helmuth
 
Hi,

You wouldn't be running off the WinXP CD if you were in the system BIOS. You
also do not need the admin password to do a repair installation. The admin
password is used when logging onto the Recovery Console. You don't do a
repair installation from the recovery console.

If this is an OEM (preinstall) system, you may be the victim of sysprep, and
there is a workaround for the password issue described here:

Cannot Log On to Recovery Console After Running Sysprep [Q308402]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308402

If there is a password set, then you can reset it from any other account
with the same priviledge level. Otherwise, you may want to try this link:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_passwords.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
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