New computer - cannot use - password unknown

[Land Owner]

Last December, the Trustees of my church purchased a new, "off the shelf", IBM-based (not a Mac) computer and provided it to our Librarian. She was the first and only one to log on, placed her password on it, used it exclusively for three months, and transferred the catalogue of donated religious books to its hard drive.

Unexpectedly, and sadly, our Librarian passed (pre-Covid). It was subsequently found that there is no documentation of her password and the computer remains "locked".

The church staff now operates in a "reduced Covid capacity". They have had every (few and far between) attempt foiled to access this computer. In fact, they quit trying (methods unknown) six months ago and moved on to "higher priority" issues (understandably), but the issue remains unresolved.

I know for a fact that there is not one "computer wizard" in the entire staff. It just is not in their "wheel house" of religious endeavors. Now retired, I am looking into resolving computer issues for them. Hardware is not my strong suit, though this appears to be a software issue.

Is there a "back door"? Can a late model, "personal password" protected, IBM computer be "hacked" to get around the password protection? We would like to gain access for a dedication to the Librarian and not abandon the work she did (or have to start over) in the catalog of the church library.

[farmerjim]

You can probably install the drive as a secondary drive in another computer. Then if the files are not encrypted you will be able to read all the data files, and copy them to the other drive. Then Re install the OP system in the locked computer.

[Joe504]

As Jim said, the easier option is to install the hard drive in another PC, remove the files you need, then format the original PC.

You should also be able to have any decent PC repair guy remove the password for a few bucks


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[StratsMan]

I agree with FarmerJim... I have used this method to rescue data for folks in the past. If you need help with hardware, any local computer repair shop should be able to help. Even if you prefer DIY fixes it will still cost some money....

You're welcome to PM me for some specifics to get you started if you choose DIY... The advice is free, but you may get what you pay for...

[Land Owner]

I was thinking to "remove the password" myself, and not spend the "few bucks". If a PC Repair Guy can do it, then I can at least make the attempt to do it free first. They got into their retail business (not that I am looking to compete), one PC at a time, by learning the tricks.

Of course, if they purchased software to enable them to free a PC from its password, and they amortize that cost across all of the PC's they fix, then my DIY is sunk.

[StratsMan]

The "few bucks" I was thinking for DIY was to acquire a cable or two to connect the hard drive of one machine to a second machine so you can retrieve data... I doubt your local computer shop will find the password quickly, but they will have cables to connect drives and retreive data...

[pcolapaddler]

There is a method to reset a password without a utility or usb drive, etc. It can be a bit tricky, but if you have no alternatives...

https://www.4winkey.com/break-windows-7-password-from-safe-mode.html

If you have some time and can wait for Amazon to deliver, this has worked well for me on several machines.

https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Password-Internet-Connection-Passwords/dp/B01BO6604S

Both methods assume that this is a stand alone machine and not part of a windows domain. I assume it isn't since it is a simple matter for a domain admin to reset a user password.

I believe that you are located a good distance from my neck of the woods, otherwise I would offer to come and help.

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[Land Owner]

Pensacola is "a ways" from Cocoa (where church is). Say 8-hours and one time zone away - one way. Thanks. I will try the Safe Mode approach first.

[la5676]

Call NCIS or the FBI, they seem to be able to break into about anything on TV.

Just sayin'.

[Markopolo]

the method above is a windows 7 method... its a bit different for windows 10.... just so you know..

[DougGuy]

Have you tried calling M$ support? I bet they can login remotely and reset the pw. You can also create a Linux bootable USB stick, boot the PC from it, go in and access all the files in that drive that you want to. You could probably copy all the books and stuff off the PC and onto the USB stick.


Alternately, you could likely edit the file that contains the user's pw although it will be encrypted. I bet if you found where windows 10 keeps that file, you copied the encrypted file from a PC that you know the login on, and over wrote the one on the church PC, you use your same login and pw, windows reads it from the file you copied onto the PC, and lets you in.

[StuBach]

Plus one on the pull the drive and attach to a secondary PC or Mac. As long as she didn’t go the extra security route all the files on the drive should be accessible that way. Assuming, based on age of system, it’s a SATA drive connection than the external cables can be found for $18-$25. Found the one below on Amazon that has good ratings just make sure you buy one with power supply.

UGREEN SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter Cable for 3.5/2.5 Inch SSD HDD SATA III Hard Drive Disk Converter Support UASP Compatible with Samsung Seagate WD SanDisk Hitachi Toshiba, with 12V Power Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYU0EAU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_A1OTFbPEHWKBK

If the computer uses the older IDE connector (two rows of a bunch of pins) than you’ll need a different adapter that might be a little pricier but I’m guessing it’s SATA.

[Minerat]

Have you tried opening the PC in administrative mode and deleting her as a user. Sometimes there is no administrations pass word unless it was setup originally. I don't know much just enough to be dangerous but it was a thought.

[AndyC]

Windows Password Refixer: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/how-to-bypass-windows-10-password-and-automatically-login.html#case2

[gwpercle]

Whenever we had computer trouble at our office there were about 6 computer repair shops around my Office Manager would use . Whatever they charged was usually reasonable for getting the computer working again. I remember Tim's Computers , Computer Heaven , the Geek Squad and Dot Calm Computer Repair ... You may not be able to get a TV repaired any more but Computer Repair shops should be everywhere .
I did a search " computer repair shops in my area " and 10 locations within 50 miles popped up .
Gary

[DougGuy]

Plus one on the pull the drive and attach to a secondary PC or Mac.

What part about using a USB to boot from do people not understand? No need to take nothing apart and stick it in another machine. You boot with Linux Mint on a USB stick and the machine is YOURS. You OWN IT. You can copy files, edit files, burn files to a dvd, whatever you want to do, it is an up and running fully functional desktop at this point that doesn't need a password.

[Conditor22]

My geek friend used Linux to get into my deceased dad's computer.

[kerplode]

You boot with Linux Mint on a USB stick and the machine is YOURS. You OWN IT.

Assuming the drive isn't encrypted and UEFI Secure Boot is not enabled...

But yeah, since this is a little-old-lady computer, the Linux boot would probably be the ticket.

[farmerjim]

What part about using a USB to boot from do people not understand? No need to take nothing apart and stick it in another machine. You boot with Linux Mint on a USB stick and the machine is YOURS. You OWN IT. You can copy files, edit files, burn files to a dvd, whatever you want to do, it is an up and running fully functional desktop at this point that doesn't need a password.

I forgot about this method. It is just that I have 3 computers in front of me and can run a cable to another computer in a few seconds. I also have a hard drive dock that translates the drive to a usb input to one of my computers. There is also a XP lite that will boot from a cd or usb stick. Many ways to skin this cat.

[Rcmaveric]

I was just thinking about that. With a Linux usb boot to get your data.

Then you can try to get administrator access and create new account and delete her old one. Worse case scenario factory reset the computer.

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[DougGuy]

Assuming the drive isn't encrypted and UEFI Secure Boot is not enabled...

But yeah, since this is a little-old-lady computer, the Linux boot would probably be the ticket.

If she didn't set an admin pw in cmos, which she would need considerable computer skills to do, if it is UEFI boot, you can enable legacy boot and put the USB at the top of the list, OR hit F8 or F12 at boot for a boot menu which will let you choose which device to boot from, but yes you are correct, one of those things would be a hurdle, the other would be a brick wall.

[StuBach]

What part about using a USB to boot from do people not understand? No need to take nothing apart and stick it in another machine. You boot with Linux Mint on a USB stick and the machine is YOURS. You OWN IT. You can copy files, edit files, burn files to a dvd, whatever you want to do, it is an up and running fully functional desktop at this point that doesn't need a password.

Fully agree that Linux is an easier option but 9 times out of 10 someone asking this kind of question isn’t comfortable with figuring out the process for using Linux boot drives (for those versed in computers this is simple but it’s intimidating to those not so versed). Most none computer people using windows struggle to use OSX at first much less Linux even though fundamentally they’re all pretty close in design.

Mechanical process of removing the drive and using an adapter tends to work easier for those not as well versed in software use.

OP, Either option will work if your willing to learn the process, just a matter of which process your more interested in investing time in and where your comfort level is. Lots of good advise in this thread. Good luck.

[dbosman]

If they will stand behind the work, pay a local tech to access the account and change the password. If they won't stand behind the work (guarantee they won't destroy the data store) don't let them touch it.

I am a Windows tech and I've successfully recovered data from drives that "no one" could get to, including a couple of data recovery companies.,But I don't charge for that as I'm not an expert and I can't guarantee my work due to there being too many working versions of Windows 10. If the computer is a Dell, for instance, Bit Locker was enabled by default. If that is the case, and the machine was hibernating rather than being asleep, the data may not be accessible to Linux, MAC, or another computer. I've seen that twice.

[David2011]

There are bootable files that can be put on CD or USB drive that will allow an unknown account password to be reset. I did it many times before I retired from corporate IT. Best to pay a pro to do.

[metricmonkeywrench]

Just a thought, if you take your case of being a Church computer to a local shop and explain the situation and they may unlock it for free. Then buy an external storage drive from the same shop to potentially avoid future issues.

Just my thoughts anyway for what they are worth...

[wch]

Simplest way- first try removing the CMOS battery and letting the thing sit for 48 hours, then reinstalling the battery and try to log on.

[Rizzo]

I just recently used this to get into my computer that I was locked out of.
https://www.lazesoft.com/lazesoft-recover-my-password.html