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Reset XP HDD password

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:44 pm
by alex.barylski
It seems as though some program at some time has set a HDD password on me :evil:

I am trying to reformat my Windows install but cannot because of this fricken password.

I have searched high and dry in search of a utility to reset the HDD admin password (which I don't believe is the same as XP accounts passwords - as I've tried that and it didn't work).

I need a simple (very simple) technique to reset the damn password and begin installing XP again...

I'm at witts end here, so please try and make the solution simple as I'm ready to toss my laptop and just buy a new one. :P

I have tried booting from a debian CD and installing overtop or just dropping the partitions but I'm getting a HDD doesn't exist error...I've also tried numerous linux utils but have had no luck in getting anything done.

Ideally a Linux boot CD which did nothing but ask for a new password would be ideal. Anything more complex I simply have no more patice for or time...

If you can describe the steps required...I'd be forever grateful. Resources I can read are welcome as well. :)

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:51 pm
by Kieran Huggins
What kind of laptop is it (make and model)? Thinkpads can be unlocked, but it requires special hardware. My dad had one sent away to North Bay once to have it done, it was about $80 iirc.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:20 pm
by alex.barylski
I found a couple articles on Google in regards to thinkpads having their physical harddrive locked. I don't believe that is the same as I experienced. I simply had the Windows Recovery Console password set.

I eventually ound the password and managed to get into recovery mode and remove partitions and start fresh (the way I like to roll) but it was such a PITA...

Then I had to activate Windoze via the phone because I reformat so often they cancelled my original key. :P

Now I'm downloading SP2 along with the WGA garbage...ugggh...so annoying...but I just prefer Windows as a GUI...