Get in Administrator logon

[SimpleSi]

Got a Vista home machine (the cook's) and one profile corrupted so I'd like to logon as admin and create new user.

 

Other profile is just limited use so I can't use that to do it.

 

Any help greatlyfully recieved

 

regards

 

Simon

[dwhyte85]

You can use:

 

Change Your Forgotten Windows Password with the Linux System Rescue CD - the How-To Geek

 

It works for XP & Vista, i've heard vista is a bit flakey - worked for me though on Ultimate.

[chazzy2501]

The "adminstrator" account is disabled by default, the only way to enable it that I know is to boot into safe mode.

 

Remember that you should remove profiles using System Properties - User Profiles or vista will throw a wobbly. Don't just delete them.

[IanT]

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

[srochford]

The various things to reset the password for admin won't help if the account's disabled but I think you should be able to use them to blank the password, boot in safe mode when the account is available, log on as administrator and then either enable the admin account (can't remember what gui tools are available but net user administrator /active:yes at the prompt will do it) or once you've logged on in safe mode you can just rename the broken profile folder - that should force creation of a new one for that user at next logon.

[dwhyte85]

From the post i linked you can also create admin accs and enable / disable accs. Pretty sure it does, anyway.

[m25man]

Microsoft D.A.R.T 6.0 automatically enables the account when the password is reset.

 

Microsoft Windows Enterprise: Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset

 

If you have SA on your licensing you can download it from the MS Licensing Center.

 

If you want to try this as an alternative, it was origionally done on Vista but worked equally as well on a Forest Root DC where they had forgotten the password! - Scary!

[SimpleSi]

I booted it into safe mode but no administrator account visiible!

 

Si

[IanT]

Windows Password Recovery, Administrator Password, Reset Password | Passware

 

Used this, works every time!

[srochford]

I booted it into safe mode but no administrator account visiible!

 

Si

 

Doesn't it just autolog you on as administrator in safe mode???

[SimpleSi]

didn't seem too

 

I've brought it home and need to get it out tommorrow (sorry later on today - waiting to pick up daughter from her 18th birthday bash at the momentL) and have another play.

 

Vista

 

This is about the 5th corrupted profile issue (e.g they can't logon) I've had to deal with - never had a single one on a standalone XP machine (actually I think I did have one on a reception class machine once but then again it died completely the next week due to hard drive complete failure so it doesn't count )

 

 

regards

 

Simon

[SimpleSi]

COuldn't find laptop yesterday - wwent into school not there either!

Came home and found my wife had tidied it away in coat cupboard

 

Anyway, safe mode didn't bring up admin logon so tried safe mode command line.

 

Still brought up the 2 normal 2 user logons and GUI???? tried the broken Cathy logon - it let me in and then gave dos window????

 

Is this normal for Vista??

Anyway - did the net user administrator /active:yes and rebooted - Administrator logon now available and works

 

When I says works I mean its let me logon where I was bombarded with msgs purporting to be coming from AV stype products telling me I was infected and needed to click on them

 

Shes uses a 3G dongle so rather than risk my network, I've used that to download MSE and we'll see what that thinks about these other "AV" programs

 

Thanks for help.

 

I think my problem is that I never see a Vista machine working OK

 

regards

 

Simon

[srochford]

 

I think my problem is that I never see a Vista machine working OK

 

You're not alone there :-)

 

Good news that you've beaten it, though - never good to let the computer win!

[Arthur]

KonBoot is very good too. You just boot from the disc and login using any password you want.