Windows 2003 server admin password no longer works
OK, this is the very first time that I've come across this situation: After updating windows 2003 and restarting the server, the admin pass is no longer accepted! I checked the spelling, the keyboard and everything is fine. I even typed it in the user field,
just to verify that all the letters are printed fine on the screen but still no luck.
I tried using the password reset tools, they find the SAM database, reset the password, but still no luck. Doesn't let me with the blank pass or with the old pass.
The only think that seems suspicious is that the hdd is making some strange noise (hope is not hdd failure).
The server is configured as domain and that all clients have access to the server.
I tried Hiren bootcd and none of the password utilities has managed to reset the pass. I hope that I won't have to built win 2003 server again. Any help will be much appriciated.
December 10th, 2010 4:52am
Hello,
the official Microsoft statement is you have to start new.
All other options are to find here:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=reset+domain+admin+passwordBest regards Meinolf Weber Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
December 10th, 2010 5:06am
Hi
check this out see this will work
http://www.petri.co.il/reset_domain_admin_password_in_windows_server_2003_ad.htm
thanksNaeem Bhatti MCITP EA, MCITP, MCTS Exchange 2007 MCSE security,MCSE AD, MCSE in Messaging, MCDST SBS2003 and SBS2008 Specialist
December 10th, 2010 6:39am
I've already tried the above without any luck.
The petri.co.il solution requires admin access, which currently I don't have and it's not possible to gain it back. The terminal computers have winxp installed, I have admin rights from that, the terminals can login to the server and view/edit the user's
file.
Is it possible to reset the windows 2003 server pass from the terminal?
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
December 11th, 2010 4:13pm
Yes, possible.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Forgot+your+Windows+NT%2F2k%2FXP%2FVista%2FWin7+admin+password%3F
Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional -Microsoft MVP [Windows]
December 11th, 2010 7:27pm
That's interesting, but after doing the GOOGLE search, tried all possible solutions, still nothing. I tried all the available boot able utilities and still nothing. However, the three client WINXP PRO computers that are connected to the server, can see their
shared files etc. Is there a way to reset the Windows 2003 admin password from the client computer? All the users on the client computers have admin rights.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
December 12th, 2010 10:24am
Ive never had the nordahl linux boot disk fail me. Yes anyone who is a member of local administrators group on server can set/reset it.
Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional -Microsoft MVP [Windows]
December 12th, 2010 10:32am
If you have accessibility options enabled and no hard disk encryption, try this...
Boot to installation media and get a cmd prompt
run the following commands:
copy c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe.old
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe
reboot
When prompted to login, click the accessibility button (bottom left) and place a check next to screen magnifier. This should launch a command prompt window with system level
privs. You can now *safely* change the administrator's password.
There are some other way to reset Windows password with a bootable CD/DVD or USB
flash drive.
1. Reset windows password with Ophcrack
2. Reset windows password with "Advanced WIndows password recovery tool"
These tools is to reset the password offline.
It is not so troublesome that you forgot server 2008 password, you can see this article about
server 2003/2008/2000 password recovery.
Two steps:
1. Create a password reset disk;
2. Reset Windows server 2008/2003/2000 local or domain password offline.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 7th, 2012 8:18pm