Vista Laptop won't log in

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 17:00:30

A friend of a friend, has bought a new Vista lappy. Apparently it's been setup to ask for a password, but, it won't accept the password. So all it does is switch on ask for password and rejects it.

How do we reset it

Steve · Jun 28, 2008, 17:02:59

Is this at switch on (harddisk password) or a user account password?

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 17:05:10

Sorry Steve, it's a user account log on password.

Steve · Jun 28, 2008, 17:09:14

Trying to recall,we had a post lately mentioning password detection software that ran from its own boot disk might be worth a search? Presumably you have tried Esc.

vitriol · Jun 28, 2008, 17:12:33

I suppose that you already tried upper / lower case lettering, capitol first letter etc....

Tried just hitting enter key?

Glenn · Jun 28, 2008, 17:14:26

Can you log on via the administrators account?

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 17:16:55

Quote from: vitriol on Jun 28, 2008, 17:12:33
I suppose that you already tried upper / lower case lettering, capitol first letter etc....

Tried just hitting enter key?

Tried that thanks.

Steve · Jun 28, 2008, 17:18:06

Found the posthttp://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 17:19:47

Quote from: Glenn on Jun 28, 2008, 17:14:26
Can you log on via the administrators account?

Is it possible to set up two admin accounts?. This lappy was set up with two login passwords, one for either account. None work, have tried swapping them over etc., it's not known which if any is an Admin account.

Rik · Jun 28, 2008, 17:22:51

Do you dread phonecalls from friends with new lappies?

Steve · Jun 28, 2008, 17:25:20

This as wellhttp://www.newfreedownloads.com/Windows-Utilities/Security/Active-Password-Changer.html

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 17:25:53

Quote from: Rik on Jun 28, 2008, 17:22:51
Do you dread phonecalls from friends with new lappies?

Don't I just

Glenn · Jun 28, 2008, 17:30:12

Quote from: stevethegas on Jun 28, 2008, 17:18:06
Found the posthttp://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

That disk will crack the password in a few seconds to hours depending on how secure the password is.

I believe that there is a password reset tool with the latest version of Hirens boot cd's

Sebby · Jun 28, 2008, 17:57:29

Vista should have an account called Administrator. Quite how you access it, though, I don't know. Perhaps booting in safe mode will show this account on the welcome screen. Then it will be possible to reset the password on the other account.

Glenn · Jun 28, 2008, 18:03:04

All you need to do to access the admin account, is when presented with the log on screen that asks you to select which user to log on, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to access the text log on screen. Then log on as administrator and the correct password. It works with XP too.

Wingco1 · Jun 28, 2008, 19:20:14

Cheers all have copied your suggestions and downloaded the two progs. One last question the .exe file can't be run from a memory stick can it?.

Steve · Jun 28, 2008, 19:58:21

The first link at sourceforge points to a live cd.one of these is ophcrack vista iso which presumably is a boot disk which then executes the password discovery program. The second link it is not clear. you may have to run the exe,install and then make the boot disk.

Wingco1 · Jun 29, 2008, 13:22:52

Thanks Steve.

Wingco1 · Jun 29, 2008, 17:04:28

The outcome is.......... they took the lappy back to where they bought it, 60miles round trip and the shop fixed it for them!. They have no idea what the problem was, but are happy that at the moment they can use the machine. Thanks to everyone for suggestions

Rik · Jun 29, 2008, 17:05:18

A good dealer - worth holding on to!

Glenn · Jun 29, 2008, 18:03:38

Apart from 2 gallons of fuel, how much did it cost, or did the dealer fix it for free?

Wingco1 · Jun 29, 2008, 18:22:21

For free. He sold it to them on tuesday I'm told. They got it home but couldn't get the user passwords to work. So they took it back yesterday without telling our mutual friend.