Password recovery on Win2k Server?
Is there any sort of password recovery or anything on Win2k Server? I changed my password on my admin account about a week ago. And I am sure I remember it, but it is not working. What can I do? Thanks.
Is there any sort of password recovery or anything on Win2k Server? I changed my password on my admin account about a week ago. And I am sure I remember it, but it is not working. What can I do?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Participate on our website and join the conversation
This topic is archived. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.
Responses to this topic
Its numeric... Only numbers. I don't know what I could of chaged it to. I have been in it a few times after I changed it, and I remember the password, it's just not working now. I hope someone doesnt have a key reader and changed it later.
So I am assuming there is nothing I can do? I will have to reformat? I was trying to use my account to get in since my username is an admin, but it was not working either. Kind of angering me because I need to get to the server.
So I am assuming there is nothing I can do? I will have to reformat? I was trying to use my account to get in since my username is an admin, but it was not working either. Kind of angering me because I need to get to the server.
If Windows 2000 is installed on a FAT or FAT32 file system:
Start the computer using an MS-DOS or a Microsoft Windows 95/98 startup disk.
Copy the original SAM saved during the initial Windows 2000 installation in the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder to the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder.
If Windows 2000 is installed on an NTFS file system:
Either move the drive to another Windows 2000-based computer or perform an additional installation of Windows 2000 (parallel install) to gain access to the NTFS partition.
Copy the SAM in the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder to the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder.
NOTE : This method is useful only if you remember the original Administrator password you used during the initial installation of Windows 2000.
Start the computer using an MS-DOS or a Microsoft Windows 95/98 startup disk.
Copy the original SAM saved during the initial Windows 2000 installation in the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder to the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder.
If Windows 2000 is installed on an NTFS file system:
Either move the drive to another Windows 2000-based computer or perform an additional installation of Windows 2000 (parallel install) to gain access to the NTFS partition.
Copy the SAM in the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder to the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder.
NOTE : This method is useful only if you remember the original Administrator password you used during the initial installation of Windows 2000.
Oh yes the sam file I remember that. But doesn't that contain encrypted passwords? I assume there is likley a way to crack that as I have heard of it being done.
Now that I think about it, I can take the drive out, put it my comp (since it is a NTFS partition), and get the sam file. I do know the password when I installed the OS. So how exactly do I get into my server once I have the sam file?
Thanks, going to get the same file now...
Now that I think about it, I can take the drive out, put it my comp (since it is a NTFS partition), and get the sam file. I do know the password when I installed the OS. So how exactly do I get into my server once I have the sam file?
Thanks, going to get the same file now...
The sam file in the Repair folder is from the first boot I beleive, so if you copy this one over the current sam in use, account passwords created since then will be lost. And you can't recreate the exact same accounts again b/c the SID will be different. It might be better to search the net for a password recovery tool. I know there's lots of them around, most of which you have to pay for.
No matter what you do, make a backup copy of your sam file first!
No matter what you do, make a backup copy of your sam file first!
The sam file in the repair folder, does it contain all my accounts? If I copy it over the sam file in the root/system32/config/ will I still be able to use the Administrator account?
The password was about 43 characters BTW... I don't think anything can crack that... Is there anything that can?
The password was about 43 characters BTW... I don't think anything can crack that... Is there anything that can?
You can use Winternals Locksmith. It will allow you to change the password for any account on any drive you are not currently running your os from. A 6 year old could use it! I just tested it on my Win2K Advanced Server, with great success. Check your private messages and email me at that address!
