reset admin password

[fafster]

Here's the problem: I removed a machine from the domain in Active Directory so that I could reinstall Windows on it. It's at the other side of the school and is the only machine there, so I decided to be lazy and jump the gun. The trouble is, it turns out it doesn't need to be rebuilt, but I'm going to have to rejoin it.

Here's where the trouble starts. The machine doesn't have the default local admin password. I can't log in as a domain admin because it's no longer on the domain (and I've not logged in before, so it's not cached). It then gets even better because it doesn't have the default bios password, and the company who built it have gone bust, so I can't phone them and ask for it. I've reset the BIOS, but it's built into the ROM.

There's no way to boot from CD either, as it goes to the hard drive by default and I've tried the usual combinations of Esc/F2/F10/F12 to bring up a boot menu to no avail.

Any thoughts?

[mac_shinobi]

are there any settings in the bios with regards to the nic or PXE to enable PXE on the nic ?

If not what about buying an intel nic that supports pxe and installing that in the machine ?

That or use an external dvd / cd drive via usb and make that the first bootable device.

You may be able to make a bootable memory stick to do it ?

provided it has enough space on the memory stick ie at least 4 gb or more.

[fafster]

But there's no way to alter the boot priority in the BIOS because I can't get in there!

[vikpaw]

shh don't tell anyone, but you can download some software that will boot the machine and allow you to reset the local admin password. shh!
i'm not sure where i got it from, but probably some russian website! try googling.
i had it as a boot floppy, but i guess you could put it on CD too, but way round booting issue would be to remove the HDD, worst case just reinstall it anyway.

[mac_shinobi]

remove cmos battery for about 30 mins or so and replace the battery and then try bios again ?

That or there should be jumpers on the motherboard to reset the bios password.

If not there is

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/CmosPwd

Short of that a google search as there are a few topics regarding reseting or clearing bios / cmos passwords.

[OutToLunch]

Move the HD to another machine, then boot that machine from the Linux based password change CD, blank the password and flip the HD back to the original machine - since it never actually tries to boot Windows in this state, it shouldn't be a problem.

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

[Geoff]

1) pull the drive
2) locate the nearest linux machine
3) install the drive as a slave on said machine and mount it.
4) use chntpwd to reset the local admin password.
5) Save, unmount, remove and refit the drive.
6) (Optional) Re-evaluate your physical security provisions.

[fafster]

Cheers for the response people!

I've managed to clear the BIOS password by using a default one. went through a list of about ten of them before it worked.

Now on to the password reset!

[Jona]

Password reset the ultimate boot disk is your friend: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

See this thread:http://www.edugeek.net/forums/showth...admin+password

[ICT_GUY]

http://wykeregisjun.co.uk/xp_password_changer.zip

raw write and the linux boot disc for xp pwd changing, works a charm, even on servers.

[Joanne]

Hirens boot cd is your friend!!!

[fafster]

I had a copy of Trinity Rescue Kit on me so used the winpass tool on that. Worked a treat, but thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely look into them for future reference!