User name and password are lost

jjw277 · 10-20-2007, 05:17 AM

I just upgraded to Vista from Windows XP. When I was trying to log in Vista for the first time, the user name and password are not accepted. I don't what is wrong. Is there a "universal" user name and password (such as admin and Vista) that a new user log in? Are there other ways to retrieve or reset the user name and password?

Thank you.

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ProCookie · 10-20-2007, 08:07 AM

Few things to try:

Try leaving the password field blank
Use default passwords like password, admin, administrator
Turn caps lock of as passwords are case sensitive

If none of the above work:

Press F5 during boot to enter safe mode, then when you login you should now see and admin account login using that leaving the password feild blank and create a new user account via the control panal.

Hope this helps come back if not.

felix8406 · 10-20-2007, 08:16 AM

Tere are suposed to be some free programs that may help, but had not try one. You may want to Google around for one or check here: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolso...ssrecovery.htm

jjw277 · 10-20-2007, 04:37 PM

Thank you, ProCookie. Unfortunately they didn't work. The computer is one I brought home from office. It was connected to the office VPN. I don't know if it has to do with the problems of user name and password. I did need to have it be re-configurated when I set up the internet access at home (Comcast) from office (Yahoo) DSL.

jjw277.

ProCookie · 10-20-2007, 04:48 PM

The VPN might have something to do with it, im not to sure i would have to look it up but like Felix said there are tools that might be able to recover your password. After doing a quick Google search i have also found programs that recover passwords for dialup, ADSL and VPN onnections. Try on of these and lets s know how it goes.

Thanks!

jjw277 · 10-20-2007, 07:10 PM

Thank you, fellix8406. I Read the review article by Tim Fisher at About.com. I downloaded and burned on CD Ophcrack program. However, the program does not load automatically after I placed it in the CD drive and rebooted the computer. I have tried using boot manu, system recovery tools or boot with previous Windows version with no success. Please advise. Thank.

felix8406 · 10-20-2007, 07:46 PM

Sorry but other than reinstalling Vista, or taking a chance on a comercial password recovery software, that may or not work, I can't think of any other way.

Try typying the password with all capital letters just in case Caps lock was on when creating the passwords.

Note that if you reinstall Vista, you'll loose all applications, however, you should be able to restore your data from windows.old folder that will be created prior the installation.

jjw277 · 10-21-2007, 11:44 AM

Thank you. Before I give up, please help me with one last try. I am able to get DOS prompt under Boot Manu by hitting ESC when computer boots up. Suppose the program is in A drive. What is the command to tell computer to run the program (RUN, EXEC, etc)? thank you.

ProCookie · 10-21-2007, 12:04 PM

wow this is going back

But here it goes, type in A: then press enter to take you to the right directory. Then type in DIR and you should get a list of everything thats on the disk. then look for the .exe file. then type in that file name followed by the .exe extension. for example a program called xxx you would need to type xxx.exe Then press enter and it should run the executable file.

Fingers crossed this will work for you, if not you will most certanly have to take the advice of my team mates and reinstall.

felix8406 · 10-21-2007, 12:38 PM

Yes, keep fingers crossed. I personally don't think it's going to work. Not that I had tried it, but because if it was that simple, everyone would be hacking someone else’s computer or desktop. But then again, I’ve been wrong before.

ProCookie · 10-21-2007, 12:47 PM

yeah i don't think it will but worth a shot.

jjw277 · 10-22-2007, 09:10 PM

Thank you both. I will take your advises and give up trying to "hack" my own computer. Now I would like to re-install the Vista instead of updating it. What steps I take since I have only "partially" done the updating process? Please advise.

felix8406 · 10-23-2007, 01:02 AM

First thing, you must realize that you'll lose all the applications that were installed. However, programs that were not install or that you saved in the PC, may be restore. For example, you downloaded Nero and saved it to the PC; you should be able to restore that file. We’ll talk about that later, for now let us installed Vista.

1. Make sure the DVD is clean; a fingerprint may be enough to give you problems down the road.
2. Make sure your PC is on stable area. Many people place their PC on dining tables and so forth during application installation; but all it takes is a little bump to the table to make the CD/DVD skip. You only want to install it once, well in your case it will be more than one, but from this point forward it will be only once. Place the PC on a hard, solid and stable surface.
3. Verify that all electrical connections are well in place.
4. Connect your PC to the internet; this can save a lot of time later. During the installation process, if Vista has access to the Internet, it will download drivers and other important updates.
5. Boot up from the DVD and follow the instructions. The only type of installation you’ll be allowed to do is a custom installation.
6. When ask to select the hard drive you want Vista installed, select the HD where your old Vista is. The Vista installation will save all current data to a folder call windows.old.
7. You don’t want to format the hard drive and Vista will not ask you to do it, but there is an option. Do not select that option.
8. Don’t get too anxious, let Vista do its thing.

Once finish, read this article about the windows.old folder: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933209

jjw277 · 10-24-2007, 08:25 PM

Thank you again, Felix 8406. I did boot up from the DVD. But after the product key was entered, it says "to use the product key you entered, start installation from the existing version of Windows". I called the Microsoft customer support, the rep said I cannot do full installation from the updated version. I need to call customer service, return the DVD and get a new full installation DVD. Is it the case? It has been very frustrating. Is there a way to uninstall the Vista and go back to my old XP? Sorry to bother you again.

jjw277

felix8406 · 10-24-2007, 09:07 PM

I see, you have an upgrade version of Vista. I think there's a way to get around that. Install Vista, but do not enter product key; make sure to instal the version that the product key calls for. After it installs, go to welcome center and select to install the product key. If that doesn't work, insert the DVD and choose to upgrade and this time enter your product key. That shhould work.

10-20-2007, 05:17 AM	#1
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	User name and password are lost I just upgraded to Vista from Windows XP. When I was trying to log in Vista for the first time, the user name and password are not accepted. I don't what is wrong. Is there a "universal" user name and password (such as admin and Vista) that a new user log in? Are there other ways to retrieve or reset the user name and password? Thank you.
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 08:07 AM	#2
ProCookie Special Member - Vista Babble Promoter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,676	Few things to try: Try leaving the password field blank Use default passwords like password, admin, administrator Turn caps lock of as passwords are case sensitive If none of the above work: Press F5 during boot to enter safe mode, then when you login you should now see and admin account login using that leaving the password feild blank and create a new user account via the control panal. Hope this helps come back if not. __________________ [COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="2"]ALL THINGS WINDOWS 7 AND MORE! [URL="http://www.edgarstudios.co.uk"]VISIT MY BLOG[/SIZE][/URL][/B][/COLOR]
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 08:16 AM	#3
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	Tere are suposed to be some free programs that may help, but had not try one. You may want to Google around for one or check here: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolso...ssrecovery.htm __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 04:37 PM	#4
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	Thank you, ProCookie. Unfortunately they didn't work. The computer is one I brought home from office. It was connected to the office VPN. I don't know if it has to do with the problems of user name and password. I did need to have it be re-configurated when I set up the internet access at home (Comcast) from office (Yahoo) DSL. jjw277.
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 04:48 PM	#5
ProCookie Special Member - Vista Babble Promoter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,676	The VPN might have something to do with it, im not to sure i would have to look it up but like Felix said there are tools that might be able to recover your password. After doing a quick Google search i have also found programs that recover passwords for dialup, ADSL and VPN onnections. Try on of these and lets s know how it goes. Thanks! __________________ [COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="2"]ALL THINGS WINDOWS 7 AND MORE! [URL="http://www.edgarstudios.co.uk"]VISIT MY BLOG[/SIZE][/URL][/B][/COLOR]
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 07:10 PM	#6
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	Thank you, fellix8406. I Read the review article by Tim Fisher at About.com. I downloaded and burned on CD Ophcrack program. However, the program does not load automatically after I placed it in the CD drive and rebooted the computer. I have tried using boot manu, system recovery tools or boot with previous Windows version with no success. Please advise. Thank.
(Offline)

10-20-2007, 07:46 PM	#7
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	Sorry but other than reinstalling Vista, or taking a chance on a comercial password recovery software, that may or not work, I can't think of any other way. Try typying the password with all capital letters just in case Caps lock was on when creating the passwords. Note that if you reinstall Vista, you'll loose all applications, however, you should be able to restore your data from windows.old folder that will be created prior the installation. __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

10-21-2007, 11:44 AM	#8
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	Thank you. Before I give up, please help me with one last try. I am able to get DOS prompt under Boot Manu by hitting ESC when computer boots up. Suppose the program is in A drive. What is the command to tell computer to run the program (RUN, EXEC, etc)? thank you.
(Offline)

10-21-2007, 12:04 PM	#9
ProCookie Special Member - Vista Babble Promoter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,676	wow this is going back But here it goes, type in A: then press enter to take you to the right directory. Then type in DIR and you should get a list of everything thats on the disk. then look for the .exe file. then type in that file name followed by the .exe extension. for example a program called xxx you would need to type xxx.exe Then press enter and it should run the executable file. Fingers crossed this will work for you, if not you will most certanly have to take the advice of my team mates and reinstall. __________________ [COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="2"]ALL THINGS WINDOWS 7 AND MORE! [URL="http://www.edgarstudios.co.uk"]VISIT MY BLOG[/SIZE][/URL][/B][/COLOR]
(Offline)

10-21-2007, 12:38 PM	#10
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	Yes, keep fingers crossed. I personally don't think it's going to work. Not that I had tried it, but because if it was that simple, everyone would be hacking someone else’s computer or desktop. But then again, I’ve been wrong before. __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

10-21-2007, 12:47 PM	#11
ProCookie Special Member - Vista Babble Promoter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,676	yeah i don't think it will but worth a shot. __________________ [COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="2"]ALL THINGS WINDOWS 7 AND MORE! [URL="http://www.edgarstudios.co.uk"]VISIT MY BLOG[/SIZE][/URL][/B][/COLOR]
(Offline)

10-22-2007, 09:10 PM	#12
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	Thank you both. I will take your advises and give up trying to "hack" my own computer. Now I would like to re-install the Vista instead of updating it. What steps I take since I have only "partially" done the updating process? Please advise.
(Offline)

10-23-2007, 01:02 AM	#13
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	First thing, you must realize that you'll lose all the applications that were installed. However, programs that were not install or that you saved in the PC, may be restore. For example, you downloaded Nero and saved it to the PC; you should be able to restore that file. We’ll talk about that later, for now let us installed Vista. 1. Make sure the DVD is clean; a fingerprint may be enough to give you problems down the road. 2. Make sure your PC is on stable area. Many people place their PC on dining tables and so forth during application installation; but all it takes is a little bump to the table to make the CD/DVD skip. You only want to install it once, well in your case it will be more than one, but from this point forward it will be only once. Place the PC on a hard, solid and stable surface. 3. Verify that all electrical connections are well in place. 4. Connect your PC to the internet; this can save a lot of time later. During the installation process, if Vista has access to the Internet, it will download drivers and other important updates. 5. Boot up from the DVD and follow the instructions. The only type of installation you’ll be allowed to do is a custom installation. 6. When ask to select the hard drive you want Vista installed, select the HD where your old Vista is. The Vista installation will save all current data to a folder call windows.old. 7. You don’t want to format the hard drive and Vista will not ask you to do it, but there is an option. Do not select that option. 8. Don’t get too anxious, let Vista do its thing. Once finish, read this article about the windows.old folder: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933209 __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

10-24-2007, 08:25 PM	#14
jjw277 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 8	Thank you again, Felix 8406. I did boot up from the DVD. But after the product key was entered, it says "to use the product key you entered, start installation from the existing version of Windows". I called the Microsoft customer support, the rep said I cannot do full installation from the updated version. I need to call customer service, return the DVD and get a new full installation DVD. Is it the case? It has been very frustrating. Is there a way to uninstall the Vista and go back to my old XP? Sorry to bother you again. jjw277
(Offline)

10-24-2007, 09:07 PM	#15
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	I see, you have an upgrade version of Vista. I think there's a way to get around that. Install Vista, but do not enter product key; make sure to instal the version that the product key calls for. After it installs, go to welcome center and select to install the product key. If that doesn't work, insert the DVD and choose to upgrade and this time enter your product key. That shhould work. __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

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