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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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  • @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.
    – Anon
    Oct 5, 2014 at 8:20
  • 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
  • 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.
    – Anon
    Oct 5, 2014 at 8:31
  • Good luck ... :/
    – DavidPostill
    Oct 5, 2014 at 8:34

2 Answers 2

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I was able to reset windows password to blank using chntpw - a terminal utility on ubuntu.

http://packages.ubuntu.com/lucid/chntpw

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    Does 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
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The chntpw bootable cd or usb drive (not an Ubuntu package) works. http://www.chntpw.com/reset-windows-local-password-with-parted-magic/

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