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I have a laptop that has Windows 2000 on it. It is pasword protected when it starts windows. I don't know the password and can't use the laptop without it. Is there a way to beat it? I tried putting in WinXP disc to format and instal XP but I can't get it to bood off the disk and it goes strait to the 2000 username pasword screen.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rob
Assuming you are trying to boot from the XP install CD, do you have your BIOS set to boot from CD as a first or 2nd choice (and floppy as the other so that Hd is 3rd)?
If that isn't possible, you can build a boot/install floppy set for XP. 6 disks I think and different depending on if you have XP-pro or XP-home. You can download both from Here.
Thanks for the reply. I'm in the DEA and this was siezed from a drug dealer. It doesn't have a floppy drive. I guess the federal government can purchase one. Thanks I guess there is no way around this than to buy an external floppy and download the boot up floppies. Thanks, Rob
Hmmmm............Seems an odd place for such a conversation to take place particularly when they have a technical department of their own for such things.Quote:
I'm in the DEA
How can we be sure you havent "borrowed"the laptop ?
I highly doubt someone from the DEA would be in here asking about how to bypass or compromise a laptop password. As a consultant who worked with law enforcement agencies, I have seen and worked with the tools available to them, and they have the capabilities internally to deal with that. Confiscated computers go through forensics (to look for evidence) and do not return to the general public with evidence or personal information still intact - that could compromise the case and potentially leave the agency open to lawsuits.
Another thing I find interesting is advertising the "DEA Special Agent" in his profile and mentioning it in the post as well. Most law enforcement personnel do not continually advertise like that.
That being said, I also question the true nature of the posted question.
Oh boy. It's true. I guess I can change my profile if it makes you feel better. I could send the laptop to the lab but we want to put it into service now. Why would I lie about that, I didn't even need to tell that part. Oh well. I will change my profile for you and make up something. I just wanted a little tech support not an arguement about what I do for a living. The tools are available to us but the process is long. We don't need it analized, just want to use it. Thanks, Rob
Then as you know already the quickest way is to contact the manufacturer of the laptop and explain the situation.
I`m sure they would be more than grateful to take down your personnel details and possibly even send someone round to assist with enquiries.
I thought this would have been the quickest way. Ive got such good help from here before. I build and play with computers for fun on the side thats why the office gave it to me to re-format. I'm not the computer guy for the division so I only know what I know from playing with them. Thanks for the help. If I instal an external floppy would it boot from that if I have never been in windows before because of the password?
I appologize for mentioning my job and it won't happen again. I cleared out my profile and will just stay as an unknown. I just wanted to be truthful about what I was doing and not making up some crazy story about why I don't have my password etc. Thanks and hope I didn't make anyone mad about a technical question. I will not bother you all again. Thanks for the technical help. Rob
Nobody got mad; we get people at times who want to learn how to hack into school (or other) systems, their parent's computers, etc., so we are sensitive when replying to requests of that nature.
I wouldn't want to be analized either. Sorry couldn't resist.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by drpcbinder
We don't need it analized, just want to use it. Thanks, Rob
Plus the content and gramatical errors of the request gave one shall we say cause for concern as to the validity of the postee and their intent.
One does not have to be an Seaman to recognise when something smells like a cold-blooded aquatic vertebrate .
Okay my mistake for typing too fast and not checking over my gramar and spelling. I didn't know I was writting a report I thought I was asking for some help. Thanks for all that helped. No need to keep this thread going because nothing is being accomplished here. I will send the computer in or just replace the hard drive. What I do for a living has nothing to do with anything regarding virtuadr. I have gotten nothing but help from good people before (in XP). Here I received nothing but (mostly) grief.
Thanks again for all that helped and I understand the concern about the hacking. Thanks, Rob
DEA...thats a funny one :D
Anyone who deals with NTFS systems knows there is no real security and boot floppies or cds can be easily made to go and change the passwords for any users from a command prompt.
But if we told, we'd have to kill ya ;)
It's pretty easy to install a new OS-- you don't need to know the password for that or anything.
Aren't these things supposed to be completely wiped (drive overwritten with 0s) and auctioned off?
I used to do IT work with Customs and we had a bunch of formal procedures including wiping before we would even release an old desktop PC that used by a secretary who handled no sensitive info at all. Same idea with seized property. Anyway none of tha matters-- to reinstall Windows you should be able to boot from a CD. You might have to go into the BIOS to enable this option (or get a boot floppy that has CD drivers.)
Also try a 'blank' password. That's somewhat common, especially if your DEA computer techs have already gone over the system or something. :)
Have to agree on that point about classified equipment.
They usually have the hardrives removed and destroyed when they are finished with prior to disposal.
Hi! I've been in the center of a similar thread before and I've also been questioned about my motives on why I'd like to have the password on the PC I was working on reset or replaced. The moderators and a few others were good-natured, though, so there were no hurt feelings. However, someone who is good enough to butt in reasoned out that these sort of information isn't at all a big secret in the web and, perhaps, a URL might end up the thread in good faith. I got into where he pointed me out and I solved my problem. Perhaps, I could do the same with you since no one protested with the idea before. Here it is, and you may help yourself...
http://www.shebeen.com/bootdisk.htm
Just to throw in my $0.02, I agree that we need to be responsible when addressing certain topics, but it's worth pointing out that Microsoft's own online Knowledge Base provides instructions for bypassing lost passwords.
I think info like this needs to be shared (to a certain extent) because people need to be aware of where their system's security deficiencies are, and Microsoft isn't always forthcoming with that info. Win2K's default security settings, even with NTFS, presumes that potential attackers will not have physical access to the system. It could be eye opening for the majority of users to realize that even a moderately experienced user could gain access to a default Win2K setup within a manner of minutes, if they have physical access.
Administrators need to realize that simple steps, such as locking down the BIOS and disabling booting from a floppy or CD-ROM, greatly enhance the security and integrity of their systems. Notebook users in particular should be taking extra steps, such as enabling NTFS encryption, to protect their systems, to ensure that their business files are not accessible on a stolen notebook even if the passwords are bypassed.
For that same reason, home users may want to take extra steps as well. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there storing sensitive personal information on their PC's that they would not want people having access to in the event their system is ever stolen (or even serviced). There was an interesting article on CNet recently that outlined how easy it was for a couple of researchers to scour old hard drives for personal information (http://news.com.com/2100-1040-980824.html ), it could just as easily apply to a stolen PC or hard drive.
Anyways, sorry for rambling, I just happen to be in the middle of putting a presentation together on network security so this thread struck a cord. Like I said, just my $0.02...
KV
Hi KV I understand where your coming from but I must point out if you read the requests they leave one suspicious in the way they are written,which may well be in all innocence,but to me they fly a red flag.
My 10 cents worth (inflation, ya know) I don't really feel that the personal attacks on drpcbinder were fair or justified. Even if he is up to no good, you guys have no solid evidence of that. Remember the principle our legal system is built upon: Innocent until proven guilty.
My tone was not to attack anybody and I appologise if anybody feels offended.
I am merely pointing out why there was and still is doubt in my mind as to the validity of the post.
In some cases gut feeling goes a long way.
Thanks all. I got it done. Just thought it would have been faster here. It's a Dell laptop. I called the computer people and they told me how to get into the bios for the Dell (hit F2 when booting up). From there I changed the bios to boot up to the CD. Then I reformatted and installed XP. That’s all I wanted to do. Just for the record and I know I can't prove it without getting lengthy with my knowledge. I am a DEA Agent and if I wanted to lie about something don't you think I would pick something more Spy like, like the CIA, NSA or FBI. My grammar and spellings not the best but that’s what computers are for (hehehe). Thanks again for all who helped, Rob
How bizarre.
I bet the former owner of that laptop has a solid lawsuit if he can find a good lawyer. Even if I'm a drug dealer, that doesn't give the DEA the right to drop my contact list, emails, phone number, possibly credit card info, SSN, internet browsing history, etc. into the lap of an agent/employee who has no business in that information whatsoever. I hope he installed a homing beacon on the laptop before it left.
If it was confiscated, why wouldn't the DEA try to crack it first? And I know for a fact, HDs that hold nonclassified data from the US government are triple-wiped before auction, and HDs with classified data are shredded. Now, what happens to private sector HDs I'm not certain on.