windows xp

[allanj87]

Just go my hands on an old Sony VAIO from a friend, I'm ideally giving this to my son as its really to old to be any use to me.
My problem however is its locked up tight with an admin password on the main account and I can only get guest access anyway to reset the admin pass without formatting ?

 

[Sop]

http://en.kioskea.net/faq/8228-lost-administrator-password-windows-xp

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

Always kinda worried me how easy it was xD

 

[allanj87]

It won't let me do that, I don't have the proper access rights even tried the network prompt and renaming CMd.exe to the sticky button hack, I also can't install anything or access the default admin account through safe mode

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

since its used anyway why not just wipe it and reinstall xp (you can then clear out the old junk and Sony bloatware) using the cdkey on the bottom of the unit then install drivers, would probably be faster than all this messing around

 

[allanj87]

I don't have access to a CD burner ATM otherwise I would have done just that

 

[Plainscript]

I don't have access to a CD burner ATM otherwise I would have done just that

Try this, on an empty USB-stick. Or one you are willing to wipe.

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

 

[cdoty]

since its used anyway why not just wipe it and reinstall xp (you can then clear out the old junk and Sony bloatware) using the cdkey on the bottom of the unit then install drivers, would probably be faster than all this messing around

It's going to be harder than that. You'll have to find a Sony OEM version of Windows XP, or the CD Key won't work. If your son won't use more than a web browser, consider Ubuntu. You can find a version that will install from a USB thumb drive.

 

[allanj87]

Its more for those retro Lego games, like island and creator. I'll give that link a try plain script cheers

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

It's going to be harder than that. You'll have to find a Sony OEM version of Windows XP, or the CD Key won't work. If your son won't use more than a web browser, consider Ubuntu. You can find a version that will install from a USB thumb drive.

I have never had issues using OEM keys in retail editions of Windows as long as its the same version and edition at least

also reinstalling xp can be done via USB: http://wintoflash.com/home/en/

 

[Plainscript]

Aaaaaah. The good old WinToFlash.

 

[Pleiplei]

Just about to give the AppGeeker a go: http://www.appgeeker.com/guide/reset-windows-7-password.html
You can then use the program run from the boot menu. Blank the password of the administrator/user account then log in with no password. You can then create a new password or user.