Win 2000 logon problem- after account & domain changes

[deddard]

Hi
A relative bought home a laptop from work, which was previously used by someone who has left the firm. They asked me to delete some of the accounts, and generally do everything to get it ok for them.
The system is running Win 2000 pro with service pack 2.
I deleted a couple of accounts which were called 'unknown', and as the primary domain was no longer valid, I altered this so that it was set for 'home use'

On rebooting, I could no longer log on. The password and account(there is only one there now) is the same. The account has admin rights.
I tried booting in safe mode, but the same problem occurred - now I can't access the machine to see what is going on.
The system is running on FAT32.
Is there any way I can resolve this? I have a Win 2000 Server disk which I obtained from MS recently (120 day demo) - would this be any use? or is there an alternative way to sort things out?

[Variable]

Well assuming your story is true ;p You could try and recover the passwords you'll need a PW recovery disk and a copy of Windows. This is a fairly common problem. Check this out
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm

Another thing, when you boot up is the log on to the domain still there underneath the Username and Password boxes? If so you'll want to click the drop down and select the local machine. IF you can log on you'll want to try and the give yourself admin rights. If you cannot then you'll really want to try the pw recovery tool.

[deddard]

No, the domain isn't available. It's a bit weird why the password no longer works (I installed some software, changed did a bit of work on it etc before I made the changes.)
One of the main reasons for needing to change things is the last user had it set up with an access to a VPN in two different companies. The first company is the one my stepdad works for, the second is one he was subcontracting to. These VPNs are an obvious security risk to my stepdads company, so I considered it a priority to change the accounts that used them, and then get rid of the VPN settings completely (they are not needed by my stepdad)

The software for resetting/recovering the password is pricy - I'm not getting any money from this, and I can't justify spending money on a recovery utility like this at the present. Anyone else have suggestions

[pave_spectre]

Have you tried logging in as the actual administrator account.

[deddard]

There doesn't appear to be any other account other than the one I am trying to use, even in safe mode.

[Variable]

Deddard, I know a security instructor who has a cracker for windows 2000 admin passwords. I will send him an email and get the info. I know its actually a linux disc but, works on Windows. I did a coupld of quick passes on Google checking for it but, came up short. Should have the info fairly quick.

[deddard]

Thanks for that - I came across a link for this or a similar utility on the net, but I'm always wary about downloaidng things without recommendation. If you can post a link when you get the info, it would be really helpful. cheers.

[Paul Komski]

I was going to suggest EBCD on another PCGuide Thread (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=150532#post150532) but the link seems to have gone dead.

But have now come across THIS (http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm)

[pave_spectre]

Had a thought about this but Im just guessing since Im not entirely sure how domain users are configured and stored on mobile(ie laptop) devices.

Since the user was a domain user and not local, deleting the domain without creating a local user may have denied the user permission to login to the machine.

[deddard]

Originally posted by pave_spectre
Had a thought about this but Im just guessing since Im not entirely sure how domain users are configured and stored on mobile(ie laptop) devices.

Since the user was a domain user and not local, deleting the domain without creating a local user may have denied the user permission to login to the machine.

This sounds likely - I didn't create a new user. Does anyone know how to recover from this?

[deddard]

Just an update before I begin anything........
As usual, I get given half the information I require....I was presented with this laptop, with the request of deleting accounts etc, and told that there is no OS disk etc etc.
Of course, NOW I get to look inside the goody bag, there is a completely unopened Win2000 disk, and a couple of recovery disks (it's an Acer machine) so I will look at the recovery option before I do anything else (hopefully it's not the usual 'wipe everything clean' sort of recovery disk)
Meanwhile, suggestions for the domain problem are still welcome;)

[deddard]

Ok - I spoke too soon:(
The 'windows 2000 disk' wasn't a disk package, but a manual with a hard sheet of cardboard inside!
The restore disks do contain windows 2000 and windows xp pro, but getting them to run requires the usual ' wipe and start again' routine as far as I can see.
Ah well, back to square one:eek:

[pave_spectre]

The fun of starting from scratch. Enjoy it while it lasts.:p

[deddard]

Well, the password recovery software didn't function correctly (I couldn't get the raw image correctly onto a floppy, and the iso image for the cd wouldn't write properly under win XP - I don't have further cd authoring software)

As the Laptop was needed today, I went for the recovery disks, which worked fine.
The one thing that bugs me is that the recovery disks were never meant to set up a local administrator - only a user on a domain. Trying to set the machine up as being not connected to a domain would not work.
luckily the domain setup (the user/password part) failed, and win 2000 automatically dropped back into local administrator settings. Is it just me, or does this sort of thing seem TOTALLY STUPID!!?

Anyway, the machine is now able to do what it is needed for at present. Configuring the rest of the setup will come at a later date.

A question for all techies - Is it just me, or does everyone you install/reinstall OSs for automatically assume that applications such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc come along with it?

[mjc]

Ummmm......yeah...they do.

Mainly because that is the way they buy their Dells, HPs, Compaqs, etc.

For the most part, I have found that the restore disks ushould have that stuff too......