Topic awaiting preservation: What is this?

On my PC, I got locked out of my account (who was the Admin), and needed to get the password. The other users can't access the DOS prompt or install things (because with the exception of my Dad, who doesn't use this computer, they are all computer illiterate), so I'm out of luck as far as doing a normal PWdump2 and Jack the Ripper hack via DOS. Well, I thought...The other computer in the house that I could run PWdump2 from is broken, so I'm out of luck (as far as an easy solution). So, I went about using a limited account, backing things up for a reinstall (the easy solution) when the computer locked up and told me that my display drivers were bad. Fuck. So I rebooted into Safe Mode. What is this?! An UN-PASSWORD protected Administrator account? Well, of course, it was easy to reset my password from that, but what I want to know is: Was this Administrator account a random glitch, or is there actually a hidden Administrator account hidden away for use in safe mode, in which case, I'd like to know: Is Microsoft a bunch of kids running around sticking their fingers up their asses?

[This message has been edited by counterfeitbacon (edited 07-30-2003).]

quote:

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Is Microsoft a bunch of kids running around sticking their fingers up their asses?

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Yes... this was determined some time ago... sorry can't help with your other questions. =)



[This message has been edited by NoJive (edited 07-30-2003).]

I don't know the exact answer to your question, but I have noticed that I have two accounts in my WinXP: the administrator one, with a password, and the one named Viol, that's the one I use, that has no password at all. The password for the admin account was established by myself, when I installed the OS. Then, the computer asked me if I was the only one guy to use the computer and I answered yes, and it created the Viol account. When I turn on the computer, I am logged on automatically to this Viol account, not to the admin account, although Viol has admin priviledges.
Maybe your dad didn't use a password for the admin account when WinXP was installed.
Win2k was different. I was the admin and there were no other account, just the Administrator one, with an Alias, like Viol.
Since I am the only user of my PC, I never studied the subject, and so I find it confusing.

Hmm...I set a password for the "Administrator" account when I installed XP.

When you install or setup Win XP for the first time it askes you to create a main/primary ADMIN account. Then when you run windows you create USERS/GUESTS and you also create another ADMIN account. You can use that one to modify USERS privelidges, levels of access rights and all that good stuff. But to do major adjustments and whatever you have to log on as the first ADMINISTRATOR you created during setup which is only visible and available in safe mode. If you forget that password.. your in trouble. I did once and had to re-format my entire hard-drive.

Even if you are the only person to use your computer it's not a good idea to be logged on as administrator all the time, especially if your online a lot. Create an account for your self so that in the event that if your machines security is compromised the 'invader' does not get automatic admin privelidges so the damage they can do is limited.

I have since learnt another way to override that primary ADMINISTRATOR, but it's completely illegal I think so don't ask me.



[This message has been edited by Xpirex (edited 07-30-2003).]

Well? what happened?