Locked out of PC - help needed

BobMarley69 · 14 Dec 2019 at 19:48

Hi guys,

I'm locked out of a Windows 7 PC I built a while ago, I can't remember the password.

I've tried to follow a backdoor workaround via this video: https://youtu.be/RCInsJ6BLjY

When I get to the start up repair part this happens:

https://imgur.com/a/CThWELb

It's completely unresponsive, I can't move my mouse and the keyboard doesn't work.

What is going on? Can anyone help me resolve this so I can enter my account?

Thanks

freddie64 · 15 Dec 2019 at 09:06

Try USB 2 ports if your motherboard has them. Read that Windows 7 startup repair has problems with USB 3.

CuriousTomCat · 15 Dec 2019 at 11:58

Create an Ubuntu USB boot drive and boot to it. Then rename the files in system32 as shown in the tutorial.

BobMarley69 · 16 Dec 2019 at 00:31

freddie64 said:
Try USB 2 ports if your motherboard has them. Read that Windows 7 startup repair has problems with USB 3.

Thanks mate, I'll try USB 2 soon. What should I do if I get the same message as in the screenshot though? It isn't the same as showed in the video.

freddie64 · 16 Dec 2019 at 08:39

Not had to do this myself but it does say to just press cancel on the "do you want to restore" message.

If your keyboard and mouse still does not work in USB 2, the suggestion from CuriousTomCat is worth a shot.

Good luck.

BobMarley69 · 17 Dec 2019 at 05:08

freddie64 said:
Not had to do this myself but it does say to just press cancel on the "do you want to restore" message.

If your keyboard and mouse still does not work in USB 2, the suggestion from CuriousTomCat is worth a shot.

Good luck.

Switching it to USB 2 worked a treat mate! Thank you.

In to the system now. Only problem I have is steam doesn't seem to work, I can log in but can't play any games.

This is an old system that hasn't been fired up in about 7 years. It's running Windows 7 too.

Any advice on what I should do next? Thanks

Donnie Fisher · 17 Dec 2019 at 08:10

If its stuff on steam, then can you not just delete / re-download / install them ? They'll surely still be in your library ?

freddie64 · 18 Dec 2019 at 10:11

Good to hear you got back in to your PC.

You could try checking the integrity of the game files.

Right click on a game/Properties/Local Files/ Verify Integrity of Game Files

Not sure if this will help but it should be fairly quick. (unless you have a vast collection of games)

If this does not work, reinstall as Donnie suggests.