Can't login to WIN-XP PRO

Last night I was able to login to my computer, this morning I can't. I can't login to ANY user accounts, none of the passwords are working.
I keep getting the following error:

The system could not log you on. Make sure your User name and domain are correct, then type your password again. Letters in passwords must be typed using the correct case."


Tried in Safe mode and get the same error.

Tried with CAPS lock on, just in case it was stuck.

My anti-virus (AVG) is up to date as is my firewall (zone alarm).

I have disconnected my computer from the network, as I fear it has been hijacked.

System:
WIN-XP PRO
PENT 2 - 450 MHz

Some posts that I saw commented about some password recovery ideas 'that could not be posted here' so e-mail privately if you have those ideas.

I solemnly swear that this is my computer and I will not use any "questionable" ideas on any computer that is not mine or without the owners’ permission.

Please help me!!

Paul

 

http://www.loginrecovery.com/

I've used a similar service as this in the past with success, but I forget which exact one I used. Basically, you make a boot floppy with the program provided, it examines the LM Hash (i believe) where the password is stored, which is an exncrypted file.

You put the floppy into an internet enabled computer and upload the data to their website. They put it through their encryption breaking program and email you the result a day or two later. I cannot vouch for the relability of this site, but as I said, I've used a similar one in the past.

 

Followed the directions on their website (www.loginrecovery.com/) and created the .iso CD. It boots to DOS, but it doesn’t run a file or give me a file to run. Sent an e-mail to their “support” address but they still haven’t responded.

After searching the net, I found many sites and programs that "replace" your password. Saw a few articles that said by replacing passwords it can make password protected files inaccessible or corrupt. So I would like to find out the passwords before I reset them.

Any other suggestions?

 

does the computer have a floppy drive? If so, use that method. Thats how I did it, as the program runs automatically and stores the encrypted file to the floppy. Using the CD it seems you would have to run their program and copy by hand the encrypted information.

 

The computer in question has a floppy, but the one I'm accessing the Internet with doesn't. Been trying to locate another machine with a floppy…

 

you could always hook the floppy from the down machine up to the one your using (assuming its not a laptop) relatively painlessly, just do the floppy recovery, unplug, replug into good system, etc...

One other question, have you tried with a different keyboard? its probably not the cause of you being locked out, but never hurts to try.

 

Any? What about the administrator account?

(CTRL + ALT + DEL) x 2

administrator (username)
and password would be whatever ye used when ye installed xp pro. IF this is a preloaded xp pro box, try pressing enter and the password box.

 

Keyboard – When I boot to DOS, I can navigate with no problem. Does that still mean my keyboard could be faulty?

Floppy – my Internet-accessible computer IS a laptop.

Administrator access – I have tried even that. My system has four users: Administrator and one other with full access and two with limited access. I ‘knew’ the passwords to all four ( I set them all ) but am unable to access any of the accounts.

 

Well, back on line.

Can't figure this one out... seems that a number key, although being pressed, was not being recognized. Had to use the numeric pad in order to enter the password. Once in as an administrator, was able to reset all passwords and all seems fine now. The questionable number key is now functioning properly too.

Never did get any of the password recovery software to allow me to view the hash files. It did get me into DOS though.

Well thanks for everyone’s help.