I have a password reset request for the windows on a laptop. The BIOS seems to be locked and the owner doesn't remember it's password. I have taken out the 2.5" hdd and plugged it in to my windows computer. I use hiren's boot cd to recover passwords but for some reasons it's not recognising the target hdd (maybe because it's connected via usb). Is there a way to reset the windows password on this disk without booting?
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How to clear an unknown BIOS or CMOS password– DavidPostill ♦Oct 5, 2014 at 8:13
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@DavidPostill It's an acer laptop and the top chassis seems to be superglued to the body. Perhaps someone has had a look at it before myself, broken some parts and superglued it, denying any access to motherboard components.– AnonOct 5, 2014 at 8:20
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If the bios is locked on the original computer then putting the hard disk in another computer will not help. You need to fix the problem on the original computer.– DavidPostill ♦Oct 5, 2014 at 8:24
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I understand but a temporary fix (since the client needs it tonight before boarding the plane) would be to get the admin account working. I am trying chntpw utility on my ubuntu. Will update here if it works out.– AnonOct 5, 2014 at 8:31
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Good luck ... :/– DavidPostill ♦Oct 5, 2014 at 8:34
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2 Answers
I was able to reset windows password to blank using chntpw
- a terminal utility on ubuntu.
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1Does this solve the original problem when the disk is put back in the laptop? If so then it wasn't a bios password issue and you should edit your question.– DavidPostill ♦Oct 5, 2014 at 12:03
The chntpw bootable cd or usb drive (not an Ubuntu package) works. http://www.chntpw.com/reset-windows-local-password-with-parted-magic/