I need A computer genius.

[dxj40c]

I have a friend who purchased a used HP computer from a company. The problem is that it needs a password. The operating system is Win2k.

If I pull the drive on that computer and set it as the slave in another computer (so I will have access to the files) is there something I can delete that will allow me to boot from that drive when it re-installed in the original computer?

I could format and reinstall win2k, but I don't want to spend all that time trying to find all of the drivers.

Any suggestions?

[redwudz]

Try a ntfsboot disk program for W2000 from here:http://www.peteweb.com/linx/index.php?viewCat=25

This program will create a bootdisk. Put the finished disk into the W2000 computer and boot from it. (May have to change BIOS settings to make the floppy the first boot device.) Haven't tried it, but the info says it will let you change the PW in case you have lost it.

[dxj40c]

Thanks, I'll try that.

[mastersmurfie]

correct me please if I'm wrong...

but isn't the default "username" admin and the default "password" password? I have used this on a few machines that were protected, and boot into safe mode...works on Windows XP...thought it might be the same with 2000

mastersmurfie

[stiltman]

correct me please if I'm wrong...

but isn't the default "username" admin and the default "password" password? I have used this on a few machines that were protected, and boot into safe mode...works on Windows XP...thought it might be the same with 2000

actually, it's "administrator" and the default for the password is blank.

If it was purchased from a "company" there's no telling what it is.

here's a good start

[rallynavvie]

Actually you should just reinstall an OS on it. If it came with Win2k you should have a copy of the install disc to image with (otherwise it's an illegal copy you don't own). Most companies burn data off their drives before releasing computer equipment for confidentiality reasons. Even if you get around it there may be code still in the registry that will affect your normal OS operations.

I'd just recommend formatting and reinstalling whatever OS on it.

[handyguy]

If its a bios PW, taking out a HD won't change anything...

Usually there is a manual jumper on the mainboard you can change. You didn't say what computer this is, HP makes alot of computers.

[dxj40c]

Thanks for all the input. After a little work, I determined the hard drive (a Quantum 'Big Foot' that had to be 'thumped' to spin up) was shot anyway, so everything else was moot. It was an old HP Pavillion 8000 series so there was probably not enough processor power to do very much anyway.

Also, my friend said she didn't buy it, it was given to her, so nothing was lost money-wise. In the end, we just stripped the usable parts (CD, Floppy, cables, power supply, EDO memory, etc) and trashed it.

[Treebeard]

fyi for next time.

Get CIA Commander, Solves your lost username/pwd problems.