Member Avatar for buddy

<blush>
while attempting to set up first ever "network" between desktop and laptop, I renamed desktop computer and changed "domain name' to something else, thinking i would remember them better...didn't touch passwords.
Desktop (p3 512 mb Dell) runs xp pro, and used to be my son's work computer, so was set up for home networking to his work (but that had been disabled.)

big oops...now I can't get past login page...tried every word I would have used for desktop, all with original pasword, can't get in.
I hit f8 during boot but found that there was no earlier version to boot to.

what do I do now - Do I have to reformat and reinstall os?

thanks, maddy

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Bob_180_Bob

Dani AI

Generated

Quick summary for and anyone who lands here later: renaming the PC and changing the domain/workgroup doesn’t change stored passwords, but it can change which account the machine expects you to authenticate against. Because this machine was previously used for work, it’s quite possible you were logging on with a domain account (validated by the workplace controller) rather than a local account — once the domain/workgroup context changes, those domain credentials will no longer work locally.

Practical, non-destructive checks first: verify Caps Lock / NumLock and keyboard layout, try any alternate usernames you or your son might have created, and confirm the logon dialog is targeting the local machine rather than a domain (the XP logon has a small option for the logon target). As suggested, Safe Mode is worth checking if you know another admin account exists, but note already tried F8 and still saw the credential prompt.

If you still cannot authenticate, protect your data before doing anything destructive. The safest routes are to copy the user folders off the drive (attach the drive to another PC or use a read‑only live environment) and then perform a clean reinstall or upgrade. That preserves photos/music/documents and avoids guessing at passwords. Community password‑recovery tools were mentioned earlier by and ; they exist but can be risky (data loss or legal/ownership issues) — verify sources and ownership before attempting them.

If this is the machine owner’s system and you’re uncomfortable with the steps above, take it to a trusted local technician with proof of ownership. For the future, keep a system image and a password‑reset disk or a trusted admin account so a single lost credential won’t lock you out.

Recommended Answers

All 17 Replies

Member Avatar for caperjack

have you tried safe mode ,and change things back

Member Avatar for buddy

same problem, caperjack...wants user/password

need a way to access without user/password

maddy

Member Avatar for Sardukar

Here ya go.

Member Avatar for wbartsch

hye maddy, it's been a few years, did you ever figure this out. i have the same problem

Member Avatar for Teksupport

hye maddy, it's been a few years, did you ever figure this out. i have the same problem

Well, i know sometimes you can go into safe mode and use the administrator as username and the password blank. this will default in safe mode to where you can take out password feature and then start a new password in accounts. once down restart in normal mode and it should work. There is third party software out there that does the same thing to recover this, but that does cost a price for such software. Try this to see if this does anything.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi Teksupport and welcome to Daniweb,
You have answered a thread that is very old (Sept 28th, 2006) I don't think they need the assistance now.

Member Avatar for walapace

This is actually the problem I am having with my computer! But I never set up a password.... it just needs one now. How do I get past it. The link that #4 posted doesn't work. Help!

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi and welcome to Daniweb,
You have also hijacked a very old thread, it is not the policy of Daniweb to help posters access computers by bypassing passwords. We don't know if they honestly have lost your password or you are trying to access a machine they have no right to use. I am sure that you are not doing that but if I told you how to access this machine, others could read this post and use that information. Sorry that we can not help you, I hope you understand.

Member Avatar for walapace

I totally understand! Sadly, this does not help me! It is my computer and I have had it since about 2003 and never set up a password. When I moved it to my fiance's house, it needed a password. Is there somewhere you can 'send' me that can help! Thanks,
Leighanne

Member Avatar for Renntag

I too am in the same position. I have an old Win2K machine that I just pulled out of the closet from '02 and I cant seem to get my original p/w correct.

I understand the liability, but certainly there must be a legitimate source for this information outside of public scrutiny.

Thanks.

Member Avatar for Renntag

OK, a little time searching, reading and living on the edge of wasting my time......here ya go for the next person to stumble onto this thread.

(be careful, you may be told it is old...)

Here is where I started:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Windows+Password+recovery

Next I downloaded this (use the "live version":

I burned the ISO image to a cd.
Followed the instructions during boot warm up to enter the BIOS and set the boot order to start with the CDrom.
PC booted from CD, 4 minutes 50 seconds later I had the info I needed to enter my old machine.

Enjoy.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi Renntag,
If you read my earlier post you will see where and why I told the OP that we do not assist people here in accessing a machine that is password protected. Do you personally know that this poster is the owner of the machine he want help accessing? By posting your information here for all to read, you are allowing anyone that wants to access someone's computer the knowledge to do so. I know all this information is available out there but, the policy of Daniweb is not to assist in obtaining that information.
How would you feel if someone uses the information you posted to access your computer, read all your sensitive information then delete personal files you need.

Member Avatar for walapace

I again, totally understand Daniweb's rules and I by all means don't want anyone to get into trouble, but on the other hand... I totally resent the fact that there are so many bad people out there that make it so that I have to pay a hundred dollars to access my own computer. I appreciate the help but i think i am just going to have to suck it up to pay someone... just for pictures and music!

Member Avatar for Renntag

Not sure how to edit my post. Please feel free to delete if it has violated a site policy.

Thank you.

Member Avatar for DemonGT

Hi Teksupport and welcome to Daniweb,
You have answered a thread that is very old (Sept 28th, 2006) I don't think they need the assistance now.

oh please.....

Member Avatar for Renntag

5th attempt to post this. <beats head against wall>


I still do not know how to delete my post (or if the site admin has granted that permission). I am willing to do so as it was not my intent to violate a site policy, but rather to help others.

Granted, my short sight in the matter is clear after the fact.

Flame suit on.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

oh please.....

Can we help you in any way? Please start a new thread and supply a lot more information.

I still do not know how to delete my post

It is too late to do anything about it now, but now you know the situation, I was just pointing out the rules for posting here.

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