Problem with unlocking password.

[mafia]

I tried that, didnt work. I think may be something wrong with my windows xp cd... so I googled and find something called Hiren's BootCD now downloading it. x fingers i hope it works

[xGLxAnubis]

Trying to use the computer but can't even log on windows

---------- Post added 2011-11-27 at 01:04 PM ----------

I don't have anything useful in the computer, I don't mind formatting the whole thing but I can't do that either

... How can you not format the hard drive?

[mafia]

... How can you not format the hard drive?

Like i said, im not able to boot a windows installation disc at start up

[xGLxAnubis]

Well it's protected moderately that's what I meant :P Copying the hard drive is on the same level of difficulty then cracking the password in my opinion.

Lol, copying an unencrypted Hard Drive is VERY easy. Hook up a secondary Hard Drive with an OS on it. Set second hard drive as the boot. Copy files from the first Hard Drive. Done.

---------- Post added 2011-11-27 at 07:30 PM ----------

Like i said, im not able to boot a windows installation disc at start up

Unable to, or don't know how? The latter is easily fixable.

[haxartus]

Lol, copying an unencrypted Hard Drive is VERY easy. Hook up a secondary Hard Drive with an OS on it. Set second hard drive as the boot. Copy files from the first Hard Drive. Done.

This is slow and inefficient.
Just clone the entire hard drive on another hard drive. Now you have 2 identical hard drives.

[xGLxAnubis]

This is slow and inefficient.
Just clone the entire hard drive on another hard drive. Now you have 2 identical hard drives.

6 of one, half a dozen of another. You still have to hook up the second HD and make it the secondary then boot from it. How you then go about copying the contents of the first HD is entirely up to you, but doesn't change how easy it is to do.

[Ghâzh]

All that requires you to open the PC case and hook up another hard drive or remove the hard drive and hook it up on another PC. I'm not saying it's hard but not really convenient. And not adressing the problem as it allows you to browse the files but not the windows. If you want to protect your important files you have other means .

[mafia]

Unable to, or don't know how? The latter is easily fixable.[/QUOTE]

Unable to, whenever I select to boot CD it just starts windows again

[haxartus]

6 of one, half a dozen of another. You still have to hook up the second HD and make it the secondary then boot from it. How you then go about copying the contents of the first HD is entirely up to you, but doesn't change how easy it is to do.

No, you boot from an USB with the specialized software and clone one of the drives to the other.

[Ghâzh]

You need one huge USB stick for that if the drive is bigger.

[haxartus]

You need one huge USB stick for that if the drive is bigger.

USB stick for the software (50-100MB data) and then an external drive (1-2TB) for the HDD cloning process.
You don't even need to open the computer.
The only secure defense from this is encryption.

[mafia]

im confused

[mcslave]

i would say to use Hiren's BootCD it has tools on it for reseting window passwords without actualy booting into windows

here a link to the site http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

[Ghâzh]

im confused

There you have it. It's still relatively hard.

If someone wants to steal your files sure he's going to do it, if you haven't protected your stuff with other than windows password. The point was that windows still has moderate protection for what's it intended. That being something like curious co-worker passing in your office and browsing trough your porn or something. In contrary to him typing few clever short cuts, browsing in to this setting tab and pushing a magical password reset button he has to actually go to trouble of getting an usb stick with specific software and a spare external drive and so on.

[Madcaptn]

Someone already explained how to set your bios to boot on the CD... how can you says that it "doesn't work" lol

[Deleted]

I had to reset a password on a Laptop, because the user forgot it :/. Found a program after researching on google, put it onto a usb stick and made it bootable. Booted from it, then trawled through a black screen with white text for 5 mins, found the user account and password reset option, and Boom problem solved. Also the changes that where made where in temp until I quit, then it asked me to copy the changes to live.

The program is quit complicated for non experienced users, I'm sure there wil be a guideon the site tho.

[Navox]

If all else fails, it is xp.. just use ophcrack. Do a little research and you will be able to figure it out.