Just had to reset a lost Windows XP password for the second time and thought it would be useful for myself to have a howto online:
- Boot from the System Rescue CD
- Mount the disk:
ntfs-3g /dev/sda1 /mnt/windows -o force - This depends on the OS install if there are caps used, but usually:
cd /mnt/windows/Windows/System32/config - List the account in the SAM datbase:
chntpw -l SAM - Reset the password of the Administrator:
chntpw -u Administrator SAM - Press 1 to clear the current password
- Reboot the server/workstation:
reboot
So if you’ve forgotten your Windows XP / 2000 / 2003 password this is the way to clear it or reset it.
I have used the live boot CD below before. Boot off it and press enter a bunch of times. It then lists all the local users on your Windows machine. No command line work, its all menu driven (ugly, but menu driven)
http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/
I have tried System Rescue CD and follow your steps but still couldn’t get it to work. Eventually I managed to remove the forgotten admin password using PCUnlocker Live CD, which seems to be a WinPE bootdisk and it’s easier to use for me.