How to use Recovery Console on Windows XP - Administrator password

Question

I need to use the Recovery Console from the Windows XP reinstallation CD. I have booted it up from CD, and selected the default folder of C:\WINDOWS. Now it asks me for the Administrator password. What is the administrator password? Would the first user who used the PC have set it, or was it set by Dell when XP was preinstalled? I really need to do this urgently, as I have a lot of emails and data I need for my work. Message Edited by Srandy on 06-14-2005 01:11 PM If password has been set by initial user, (and he has forgotten it!), how can I use recovery console? Message Edited by Srandy on 06-14-2005 02:38 PM

Otakuon · Answer

If the computer came new with Win XP preinstalled, the Administrator password is created by the user during inital activation. If it was upgraged, from say, Windows 2000, then the Admin password should be the same as the Admin Password for the prior install. Unfortunately, unless Microsoft has a "skeleton key" for XP, there really is no way to reset the password unless you have a second user with Administrator privledges. Maybe somone more knowlegeable in, um, circumventing Win XP security has a solution that I don't know about.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful...

Mary G · Answer

The default password is blank unless you set a password. Just press Enter when asked for the password.

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