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Windows 7 password fail

  • My Windows 7 password is not working, so naturally, I'm locked out of my computer/life. If my computer worked, I would continue googling for an answer. Unfortunately, this vintage Dell desktop I'm using is trying my patience. Details: Acer netbook, windows 7, using usb keyboard (as always, since I prefer it to the netbook keyboard; anyway, for the past couple of months the netbook keyboard hasn't been working reliably). I am the only user of this computer and the only one who has had access to if for at least a week. Situation: I left the room long enough for the computer to go to sleep. When I touched the keyboard, I got the message re unexpected shutdown (don't remember the exact words, but it's a Windows classic) and the option to restart in safe mode, etc. I selected the recommended "start normally" and everything was fine up to the Windows screen. When I entered my password (a very simple password that I use for every account not connected to anything sensitive), I got "incorrect password" and a prompt that did not match my usual log in password. WTF part: The prompt refers to my kids. Over the years I've used a few variations of their initials and birth years as passwords. (OK, Homeland Security - knock yourself out.) I don't remember setting up an account on this computer, which I've had for 3 years, with that info - although, obviously, I must have. The point is, I certainly never log in under that password - I have full admin rights with my regular log in name/password. What I've tried/am trying: every variation of the kids' info that I've ever used as a password and more - I truly don't believe I could enter a password that would satisfy the system.as I mentioned, the built-in keyboard isn't working, but I've tried using the on-screen keyboard, in addition to the usb keyboard that I usually use (and I'm using right now, so I know it works).it's not the 'caps lock' key.resetting the system clock to before I bought the netbook and setup the Windows password made no difference.starting in safe mode made no difference.currently looking into the "take ownership" link in a previous askmefi, although this appears to be a long shot.Why this is about to drive me round the proverbial bend: this happened about a year ago, but I don't remember how I fixed it. I've been meaning to disable the password feature ever since, but never got around to it.from my brief google search I learned that I this situation could be easily remedied, had a created a password disk when I was able.I'm a grown-up (and then some), so I regularly back up my data - in fact, I had done just that about 4 days ago. Unfortunately, just 2 days ago, I downloaded my website files and databases because I wanted to move everything to a cheaper host. So, worst case, I haven't lost anything, but retrieving the website info will require re-upping with former host.Christ, what a crappy day. Any help from you all will be greatly appreciated.

  • Answer:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsV4mzurr6U is a far smaller download than an Ubuntu live CD.

she's not there at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

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I found this a while ago, but I've never tried it. Usually I boot to a Linux password crack tool (on preview, see above). Maybe this is easier: http://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-windows-password-the-easy-way/

rsclark

Ok, here's a page with a list of free programs to recover or erase the existing password. I personally use number 2, Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, but the text is quite dense and can be confusing. Good luck! http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/passrecovery.htm

rsclark

Since you posted this question, I'm assuming you have access to another computer. Burn a Linux CD on that other computer, and boot your locked computer from that. Run it as a Live CD rather than installing it. Once you are in the linux system, you'll have access to all your Windows files. You should also be able to change your windows password via the linux system, but I'll leave it to someone who has done that before to explain how. (Or you can probably find out by googling).

lollusc

Finally able to access my life. And, clearing the Windows password turned out to be remarkably easy, once the pieces were in place. Thank you all so much for your help. The Trinity Rescue Kit in flabdablet's comment did the trick. As mentioned above, I wasn't able to boot from a USB stick, so I borrowed an external CD drive. I downloaded the http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?content=TRINITY_RESCUE_KIT_DOWNLOAD&front_id=12&lang=en&locale=en to my desktop (about 20 minutes for the vintage Dell), prepared the disk, attached the CD drive to the netbook, and followed the excellent instructions in the YouTube video. Piece 'o cake. (flabdablet - thank you for service above and beyond the call.) Btw, the time spent with Linux wasn't wasted. I've been ready to leave the Windows world for years, but never found the time/was too intimidated by the topic. This brief introduction might just be the push I need. ...I would consider calling local computer repair shops in your area. I work at one in RI and this is the kind of thing we'd take care of for you at the counter for free/cheap. Now he tells me... (JDHarper - sincerely appreciate the info. I assumed that such a repair would be more than anyone would spend to fix a 3 year old netbook.)

she's not there

If you haven't already, I would consider calling local computer repair shops in your area. I work at one in RI and this is the kind of thing we'd take care of for you at the counter for free/cheap.

JDHarper

I presume cccp47 is talking about Kryptos Logic'shttp://www.kryptoslogic.com/area02/item02/ Just like the free alternatives, Kon Boot also works by starting the computer up from something other than its inbuilt hard disk. The issue at present is that the machine concerned is a netbook which has no CD-ROM drive and is apparently cranky about booting from USB media. Once that's under control, the rest should be fairly plain sailing.

flabdablet

There's a program called Kryptos that bypasses Windows and allows you to boot from a CD without password. Should be able to google it. I have used it in the past for people who have locked themselves out, just went in and changed their password once bypassed.

cccp47

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that I can boot the desktop from a USB stick (this machine is at least 8 years old). Will try your other suggestions right now. Thank you so much for your help and for checking back.

she's not there

Most Acer machines will give you a boot device selection menu if you tap F12 a lot while they're powering up - you shouldn't need to mess with the boot order settings in the BIOS setup screen to make that work. However, some BIOSes are complete pains in the arse when it comes to booting from USB media. To find out whether this is what you're fighting with on your netbook, verify that the USB stick you made will boot up on your desktop PC. If it won't, something has most likely gone wrong with unetbootin. You might get better results from burning the TRK .iso to an actual CD, booting your desktop PC from that, and using TRK's inbuilt http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=50&front_id=12 command to make a bootable USB version; trk2usb formats the target USB drive in a way that works around some kinds of BIOS braindamage.

flabdablet

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