Security Basics mailing list archives

RE: locked out of XP, need file access


From: Mark Poyser <mpoyser () tjmproducts com au>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:29:45 +1000

Couple of ideas for things you could try, but all depend on what you have in
your system/network, and how much you're after just the files, or full
system recovery.

Are you in a domain? 
Yes --> can domain admin reset your local admin pw.

Are you truly paranoid? - Saw something about encryption on a previous
post of yours relating to an external HDD.  Are the files you want on the
external drive and/or encrypted?

Yes --> Beyond my meagre talents sorry, but someone else may be able to
help. 

No --> Do you care if you have to re-install as long as you can get to the
files first?

        No --> Do you have another PC?

                Yes --> move the HDD to another PC and archive the files you

                want.   If the spare PC isn't Windows nt/2000/xp it will
need a 
                NTFS driver to read the partition - assuming it is NTFS.
                see www.sysinternals.com for a free read-only driver. 

                No --> beg or borrow one.  Doesn't have to be anything
fancy,
                just has to be able to detect the HDD and run an OS that has
                NTFS support available

        Yes --> I think www.sysinternals.com used to have a free local 
        Locksmith utility, but it appears they've gone and made it part 
        of one of their www.winternals.com commercial offerings.  You could 
        buy it if you think the files are worth it.  I'm not aware of any
equivalent freeware product anymore. Someone else may know of one or
        still have a copy of the old free locksmith (don't know if it was xp
        compatible though)
        
Mark


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