Re: Windows 2000 Administrator lockout

[jeffry () daxa net]

On Tue, Aug 17, 2004 at 07:25:49PM -0400, Mark Medici wrote:

> Petter Nordahl-Hagen has a linux boot disk with a utility to change
> passwords in NT4, 2000 and XP.  See
> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.  I have used it successfully
> on Win2K Pro and WinXP Pro.  It will also probably work fine on Win2K
> Server, as long as a recognized disk controller is present.
>
> However, most servers use some method of RAID protection for their hard
> disks.  Since Linux is not my strong suit, and I figure it would take me
> longer to find and figure-out an appropriate disk driver, I use a
> different (and, I believe, safer) approach to resetting the password on
> servers:
>
>       Do a basic install of Windows to a new path on the system (i.e.,
>    C:\WINNT.FIX).  Make sure to specify the correct disk driver.  Don't
>    bother installing networking or configuring any options. 
>
>    Boot the new install of Windows and logon as Administrator, using
>    the password you supplied during setup.  Install the appropriate
>    service pack to match the normal install.  Reboot this new install
>    again and logon as administrator again.
>
>    In the new Windows install path's SYSTEM32 directory (i.e., 
>    C:\WINNT.FIX\System32) copy LOGON.SCR to LOGON.SCR.ORIG.  In
>    the same directory, copy CMD.EXE to LOGON.SCR.
>
>    Logout and boot the original Windows install.
>
>    Wait for the screensaver timeout to expire (make sure you don't
>    touch the keyboard or move the mouse until then).  A CMD.EXE
>    window should appear on-screen, in the security context of SYSTEM.
>
>       In the CMD.EXE window, issue the command to launch the
> appropriate
>    utility to manage users on your platform:
>
>               Windows 2000 Domain:    DSA.MSC
>               Windows 2000 Workgroup: LUSRMGR.MSC
>               Windows NT 4 Domain:    USRMGR.EXE
>               Windows NT 4 Workgroup: MUSRMGR.EXE
>
>       Locate the Administrator account and change the password.  While
>    you're there, create a second account with Admin membership as a
>    backup.
>
>       Exit the CMD.EXE window and logon normally using the
> Administrator
>    account and new password.  Restart the original Windows install and
>    verify.
>
>       Clean-up (delete LOGON.SCR, rename LOGON.SCR.ORIG to LOGON.SCR,
>    fix C:\BOOT.INI so the original Windows install is the default
>    boot, removing all reference to the new install, then delete the
>    new install directory).

Hello,

IMHO it is best to use the password cracker from http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
since it is a lot more easier, if you do use scisi HD you should download the scisi driver provided in that
web too i have try the software to crack the password in one of my w2k server using scisi HD 
and it works like magic :) anyway it's up to you which path will you choose :)

Regards
--
Jeffry
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert Ritchey [mailto:rritchey () eods com]
> > Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 2:55 PM
> > To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> > Subject: Windows 2000 Administrator lockout
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > The network that I have is rather small.  1 server, and 4
> workstations.
> > I inherited the systems.  There has been no administrator working
> there
> > for a little over a year.  What administrator that was there, was very
> > much non-technical.
> >
> > When the network was built whoever built the server installed
> everything
> > they possibly could.  This system now how few main functions:
> > 1. File server
> > 2. Internet Gateway
> > 3. Symantec Virus manager
> >
> > Nobody knows any of the passwords for anything on the system.  Any of
> > the passwords that are in use are not allowed administrator access.  I
> > do mean for anything!  I can't even get Symantec to update virus
> > signatures, as I do not have a password to do the update with.  The
> > signature is like 2003 date.
> >
> > It is just very frustrating!
> >
> > I am looking for options, before I have to go and reformat and
> rebuild.
> > This would in some ways make life simpler, there are wrinkles in that
> > all of there operational data and other services are on the server.
> We
> > are currently moving foreword with a plan to rebuild.  This will
> happen;
> > I would rather pick the time to do it.  Rather than have it forced on
> > me.
> >
> > Does anyone know of any other way to take control of this machine and
> > network.
> >
> > Thanks for your time and any ideas will be appreciated.
> >
> > Robert Ritchey
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-- 
Jeffry

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interaction with one of our expert instructors. Gain the in-demand skills of
a certified computer examiner, learn to recover trace data left behind by
fraud, theft, and cybercrime perpetrators. Discover the source of computer
crime and abuse so that it never happens again.

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