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I recently acquired a new customer that has an older Dell server running Windows XP (not sure if it is Home or Pro because I can't get into it).

I tried the usual start in Safe Mode and pray that the Admin user has no password, but it did.

So I found a Windows Password removal tool and was going to attempt that, but the problem is the OS is installed on a RAID logical drive which my bootable CD cannot see.

The RAID card is a standard Dell card (PERC or CERC...).

I need a solution on how to get this password reset so that we can access the OS.

Thanks

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4 Answers

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Build a new recovery CD (BartPE) that has drivers for the RAID card.

Or use the Linux-based password reset disks - those tend to have lots of drivers.

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Can you point me in the direction of one of these Linux-based password reset disks? – TomWilsonFL Jul 14 '10 at 20:23
+1 for Bart PE, although it will need a password changing tool in addition to the drivers (plenty out there for those prepared to look). – John Gardeniers Jul 16 '10 at 4:17
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Download Ubuntu here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Once you've done that and burned it to a cd, boot the server and select the option to try Ubuntu without installing option. Then follow the instructions here:

http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008/04/howto-change-windows-administrator.html

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Gotta love that article "I absolutely hate microsoft products thats why I love breaking it. This hack, is way too easy. " Someone should tell him that it's even easier to change the root password on Linux with physical access. If someone has physical access, there is always a way to get in. – MDMarra Jul 14 '10 at 20:50
haha yea, more detailed instructions if your a linux noob manoharbhattarai.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/… – jer.salamon Jul 14 '10 at 20:54
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Top two methods for you to reset the lost windows password:

Part 1 ： Using another available admin account to recover your windows password, however the methods for windows xp,vista and 7 password recovery ways are diverse from each other.

Part 2: Using windows password recovery tools to reset your forgotten login password

Free one : Ophcrack and Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

Charge one: Windows Password Unlocker

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+1 I am almost positive Ophcrack works with RAID – cop1152 Jul 19 '10 at 12:55
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Easiest by far -- bypass local password authentication.

Download kon-boot (http://www.piotrbania.com/all/kon-boot/), burn it to CD or floppy, then boot to it. It will load up, then load Windows as normal. Once it boots, log on to Windows without entering a password. Or enter any password you want.

It actually changes the Windows kernel on boot to bypass authentication.

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protected by splattne♦ Aug 17 '10 at 6:46

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