Computer Question

Discussion of all things technological and/or gadgety
Post Reply
rightisright
Posts: 4286
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:41 pm

Computer Question

Post by rightisright »

My gf was recently given an HP touch screen computer. Her friend has several from a spa/salon she ran into the ground. The problem is, the friend doesn't remember the password (a clue as to why the spa failed).

Of course she doesn't have the boot disc and doesn't remember if it came with one. So how would I go about getting to the machine? Is there a reliable program I can boot to and access from there? It's running Win 7.

Thanks in advance!
User avatar
Rich
Posts: 2592
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:11 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by Rich »

Might try a Linux distro called Ophcrack. I've had more success with it than others, but it is hit or miss. You will have to let it run for a while (think hours). It boots from the CD.
A weak government usually remains a servant of citizens, while a strong government usually becomes the master of its subjects.
- paraphrased from several sources

A choice, not an echo. - Goldwater campaign, 1964
Cobar
Posts: 1513
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:23 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by Cobar »

The real experts will chime in soon, but if I remember correctly you can usually get into a windows machine by booting in to safe mode (hold I think f8 at boot) and logging on to the guest account that generally doesn't have a password.

From there, there is software that can I think wipe the other accounts passwords (but you will lose anything that was encrypted.) I don't remember the name of the software.

I am pretty sure that is how it went when I had to get back in to my mother in laws PC when she forgot her password.
BobbyK
Posts: 361
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:56 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by BobbyK »

Burn this to a CD http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

Boot.

It'll let you overwrite the administrator user's password hash with one of your choosing (by default, blank). So long as there aren't any encrypted files on the machine that are tied to the login credential, you're good to go.
User avatar
slowpoke
Posts: 1231
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:09 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by slowpoke »

You can download the windows 7 install media direct from MS now if you havethe key, wich is usually a sticker on the computer. I suggest a fresh wipe and go because there is no telling what is on that from malware to private client info to who knows what.
If you really want to hack admin the linix ultimate boot cd will do it. search for UBCD.
"Islam delenda est" Aesop
User avatar
mekender
Posts: 13189
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:31 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by mekender »

Does it have a CD/DVD drive?

Does it have a USB port?

If no to both, you will have to probably get some kind of dongle.

If it has a DVD drive, you can use a bootable disc. If a USB drive you can use a bootable thumb drive.

Either way, I can help you if you want.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... nload-tool

The link above is a program that will make a thumb drive bootable and copy a windows image to the drive, it will work on all versions of Windows from Vista onward through 8.1 and it works great.

If the password is not a windows password but a boot password, then you have other issues and will need a lot more complex solution.
“I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.” - Norman Thomas, a six time candidate for president for the Socialist Party, 1944
User avatar
g-man
Posts: 1430
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:40 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by g-man »

slowpoke wrote:You can download the windows 7 install media direct from MS now if you havethe key, wich is usually a sticker on the computer. I suggest a fresh wipe and go because there is no telling what is on that from malware to private client info to who knows what.
If you really want to hack admin the linix ultimate boot cd will do it. search for UBCD.
This. If she can't remember the password, she probably wouldn't remember to NOT click on every link in every forwarded email she's ever received, and the computer is likely infested with God-knows-what. I'd do a complete wipe of the machine including hard drive repartitioning and formatting, followed by a boot-sector virus scan. I would NOT put any personal information into the box until you've done the 'nuke and pave' reinstall method. If you can get into the machine with one of the aforementioned techniques, I'd run malware scanners, check the HD, nuke and pave, and then check again. Just my $.02.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
rightisright
Posts: 4286
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:41 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by rightisright »

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to have her bring it to my house tomorrow.
User avatar
Weetabix
Posts: 6106
Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:04 pm

Re: Computer Question

Post by Weetabix »

Do what BobbyK said. He saved me from a typo'ed password set a year or two ago. It couldn't have been easier, and I still appreciate it.
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
Post Reply