Re: Forgotten Password

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gnome008@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
If I forget my admin password, ....


Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which cannot be deleted) and modify the desired account(s) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to modify the desired account(s). By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q321305

Failing that, Linux-based password cracking utilities abound on the Internet, freely available to anyone who can use Google.


....and none of the third party tools are working, can I just reinstall Windows XP Professional?


If you want to spend several hours fixing a problem that normally would require only minutes, sure. It's your computer (and your time), after all.

If so, how does one reinstall XP Professional?


After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS installation, and after downloading all of the WinXP-specific device drivers from the manufacturer's web site and burning them to a CD, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


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