Vista password workaround

BrianB · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:22

I recovered my laptop to a backed up state via Samsung's Recovery Solution, the backup seems to have a password in place and the Administrator account is not enabled.

Seems to be no way to get it back to true factory defaults just an old backup that was made when laptop was first purchased. I've saved my Vista key but obviously have no disks to just do a fresh install with.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

KIA · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:24

Google legit Vista ISO. Which version do you need?

BrianB · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:36

Thank you, I am finding a trail of breadcrumbs towards an actual legit ISO.

Found a link but it's taking absolutely ages.

Might have to order one off the bay.

BrianB · 25 Jan 2013 at 00:53

Hm, I loaded the windows setup and it says it can't find one of the files on disk. Argh! Took ages to burn it!

Oh I think chrome managed to finish downloading file without being finished. Weird.

d_brennen · 25 Jan 2013 at 01:12

I have a password reset ISO if you want it, it's only 22MB. Burn to a CD and boot from it

BrianB · 25 Jan 2013 at 02:02

That sound's good brennen, I have trust enabled I think.

d_brennen · 25 Jan 2013 at 06:58

Sent a trust message

KIA · 25 Jan 2013 at 12:51

Ah, I misread the first line. Very easy to fix.

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

Stoner81 · 25 Jan 2013 at 12:58

Use Hiren's BootCD and you can reset the password to gain access again, just Google it

Stoner81.

kirbz · 25 Jan 2013 at 13:08

Stoner81 said:
Use Hiren's BootCD and you can reset the password to gain access again, just Google it

Stoner81.

+1 beat me to it.

BrianB · 25 Jan 2013 at 19:35

Yeah thanks a lot guys, I'm sure it would have worked, but Uncle remembered password, seems I was spelling it wrong.

One problem solved now I have another, the internet connection via WiFi will only get local access and unidentified network so trying to figure that out now. Free laptop just need to order a replacement keyboard for it.

Might upgrade to Windows 7 or 8 as well.

KIA · 25 Jan 2013 at 22:10

Cheap Win8 upgrade from Vista is worth it.