BleepingComputer.com: Windows XP Pro Password Reset

HP Elitebook 8540w Mobile Workstation running Windows XP Pro. No one at the office knows what the original password or user ID is. It's been sitting unused for 6 months. As far as I can tell, its never been used. The running joke is whoever can guess the correct passwords can trade in their old computer for this one. I already tried the "Offline NT Password & Registry Editor" tool from [http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/]. It tells me that it doesn't recognize the NTFS filesystem type, but I am able to run the HP self diagnostic prior to booting up, and it says everything including memory, hard drive, drivers, and file structure check out. As a "Last Resort" I would consider repartitioning the drive and rebuiling it from scratch, but I want to avoid that if possible. Any suggestions?

When we remove a password we require proof of ownership. Why not suggest taking it to a computer shop?

We sympathize with your situation. Though your question about passwords is most likely legitimate, there are those who would pretend to need such assistance in order to gain unauthorized access to a computer not owned by them. We have no way of confirming ownership or if someone is being truthful with us. As such we don't provide step by step instructions but we certainly can help you find the information you seek.

Forgotton Password Instructions provided by Microsoft:

• How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or if your password expires
  
• Forgotten your Windows XP Home password? - Part 3: Setting a new password as an administrator
  
• What to do if you forget your Windows password in Vista
  
• What to do if you forget your Windows password in Windows 7

Non-Microsoft Forgotton Password Guides:

• How can I reset the administrator’s password if I forgot it? Password Recovery Tools for Windows
  
• What can you do if you forgot your Windows XP administrator password?
  
• I Forgot My XP Administrator Password!
  
• 12 ways how to reset the Windows administrator password – Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP
  
• Reset Windows Vista administrator password in safe mode
  
• Lost Administrator Password in Windows 7 or Vista
  
• How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista or Windows 7
  
• How do I Log on to my Windows 7 computer if I forgot my password

Password Recovery Tools:

• Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (ONTPRE) - How To Recover Passwords Using ONTPRE
  
• Ultimate Boot CD
  
• Password Recovery Tools by Nirsoft
  
• Proactive Password Auditor
  
• Cain & Abel Password Recovery
  
• How To Reset A Forgotten Root Password With Knoppix

Louis