Can't log on (Win 2k)!?

[Matrix]

Could someone help me with this..

First of all, I always log on as Administrator. I know that could be dangerous concerning security, but I just do that because it's easy.

Well, yesterday I was given the message that my password would expire within XX days. First I tried to change it, but every time I tried to it said that the username or password was incorrect, no matter what I used. So I just configured the user Administrator that his password would never expire. Then it said that I had to restart, which I did, but now I cannot log on anymore; no matter what username I use <img src="icon9.gif" border="0"> . The password has never changed.

I also have Windows 98 installed (using BootMagic). And I can backup everything that's in the Windows 2000 partition, but I just don't want to have to reinstall Windows 2000. That'll cost me a whole day. Could someone please give me advise? Or just tell me that it's not possible and that I have to reinstall Windows 2000, if that is the case.

 

[Mercury]

Windows 2000 - BIG BAD MUSTDIE!!! Kill it , NOW!!!

The older versions of Windows, such as 98,95 (not 3.11) are better. Install it and download all patches, then all possible bugs will be removed (almost all). Older version - more patches. In newer versions - not all bugs discovered. <br /> <img src="graemlins/snipersmilie.gif" border="0" alt="[Sniper]" />

 

[Matrix]

That won't do. I can't stand the instability of Win 95/98/Me; it gives me a headache. And I'm not smart enough to understand Linux and Mac is just not good enough. Besides, I'd be the only one I know who'd have it. So changing OS isn't an option. I just like to have Win 2000 repaired, if possible.

 

[CornMaster]

Well.....I think your screwed.

Do you have any other accounts on the computer??? Maybe you can log into one of those and change stuff. If not..have you tried safe mode? You may be able to get in there and do something. Otherwise.......your screwed. <img src="icon9.gif" border="0">

Mercury:<br />I think your a little off there. If we were talking about WinME (Which A LOT of people call 2000) then your right. But Win2k. Naaaa....it's better than all of them. EXCEPT XP! I've been running WinXP for the last 2 days and IT'S HEAVEN!!! Stability of Win2k/NT and the flexibility of the 9X line. It's pure heaven. It also has SIMULTANIOUS MULTIPLE USER LOGONS!!!! That means me, my sister, and mother can all be in our accounts AT ONE TIME!!! It's pure heaven. Hasn't crashed on my once in two days....where Win2k crashed 5 or so times a day. Win98 crashed about 30 times a day!!!

WinXP for ME!!! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[Fishheads]

windows 95/98 is probly the worst OS created.. worst.. i would rather use win 3.11 with DOS instead,

how many people use your computer?

is it at home?

why do you have more than one account? you shouldn't even have to log in with a password? you can create your own account and uncheck the must enter user name and password<br />you can also go into the local users and groups and make it your password will never expire

but anyway

i dunno what users are active or not?<br />you might have backup operaters active, but if you can't log in with any of the passwords and username you know your really SOL..

instead of reinstalling you could try and repairing it, throw in your win2k cd on start up and pick repair..

that's abuot all i can tell ya

 

[CornMaster]

Originally posted by Fishheads:<br /><strong>instead of reinstalling you could try and repairing it, throw in your win2k cd on start up and pick repair..</strong><hr></blockquote>

Repair won't work. You need the administrator password to get the Repair Console to open. And an Automatic Repair won't clear passwords.

It's not looking good for you.

In WinXP however, when you create a password you can also create a "Password Recovery Disk" So if you forget your password then you can pop the disk in and change it!!! Of course...that doesn't help you now.

 

[Fishheads]

try repairing it, it might worked.. it might see your accuonts are skrewed up or something

oh i'm sure there is some way.. probly though the repair console.. but i don't know any of those commands at the moment

 

[CornMaster]

Originally posted by Fishheads:<br /><strong>oh i'm sure there is some way.. probly though the repair console.. but i don't know any of those commands at the moment</strong><hr></blockquote>

You need to enter the admin password to get into the repair console....or didn't I just say that???

 

[Fishheads]

i've never had to enter a password to get into there..

then again i never had any accounts set up in the first place :_)

all i'm saying is freaking TRY IT, it's not going to hurt for freaking sake

 

[Matrix]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm afraid CornMaster's right. <img src="icon9.gif" border="0"> But I'm already busy with reinstalling. Everything will work out right, it'll only take some more time. <img src="graemlins/goodwork.gif" border="0" alt="[Good Job]" />

 

[Håkan Eriksson]

Get Linux instead next time.

 

[damunzy]

Originally posted by Håkan Eriksson:<br /><strong>Get Linux instead next time.</strong><hr></blockquote>

And what will that solve? He probably wouldn't be able to run half of his programs then.

The only thing I can think of is that you accidently clicked on Account is disabled instead of the password never expires block. I've done similar with folders, locking myself out of them.

 

[Matrix]

Originally posted by PaleHorse76
The only thing I can think of is that you accidently clicked on Account is disabled instead of the password never expires block. I've done similar with folders, locking myself out of them.

I've never looked back to this topic after reinstalling Win2k. But what you just said could just be right . I can't imagine it, but it's the only option left. Or there was something deeper...something wrong in the registry or something.

Anyway, having Linux won't solve it. And I doubt whether you have Linux, Håkan. But I might go and experiment with Linux some day though. I got a 40GB harddisk, so there's plenty of room left. And it'll just add a new item to BootMagic.

 

[starlifter]

Win 2K does not have a single "registry" file. It has hives. The password is encrypted. If your admin password is lost, or inadvertantly altered, for any reason... you are pretty much forced to re-install W2K. I've messed with some of it's security for other reasons, and suffice it to say it is not trivial to wade in and crack the password. I did not succeed, but would have... with about 25,000 1.5GHz computers working on it for about 3 years.

The best thing for W2K... and you should read this and heed... is to back up 3 directories when booting to an alternate OS. Back up the Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Winnt directories in their entirety. Put it on CD-ROM, or a 2nd hard drive. Do not back up the same OS you booted from, due to file locks and file sharing issues... you restore will probably not work if you take that shortcut.

Also, back up you boot.ini from your c:.

Lastly, back up you BOOT SECTOR to a floppy, & have a restore program ready to go with it!