Windows Vista Administrator Password

Hi,

 

Just a heads-up to any new Windows Vista user:

 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST TWO ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNTS WITH VISTA, OR THAT YOU BACK UP YOUR PASSWORD ON A THUMB DRIVE!  

 

I recently tried to change my Vista Administrator account password.  Vista asked me to enter my old password, then to enter my new password, and then confirm my new password.  When I did this, I got a message that read, "Windows Unable to Change Password."

 

Thinking I typed something wrong, I did it again very carefully.  Again, I got the same message, "Windows Unable to Change Password."  I tried it a third time, and this time I got the message, "Incorrect Password or User Name."  I was now completely locked out of my computer.

 

After more than 1 1/2 hours on the phone with some very helpful Dell Tech Support reps, (I am being serious) there was nothing that could be done except to reformat my computer.  Since I didn't receive and program disks when I purchased my Dell, everything was pre-loaded, the Dell rep had to send me all of the disks.

 

The bottom line is, I didn't do anything wrong!  I did exactly what Vista asked me to do.  This is a Vista software glitch.  Don't make the same mistake I made.  If you are locked out of your Windows Vista Administrator account there is nothing you can do except reformat your computer.  If you don't have your program disks, you will have to get them from Dell.  You need to make sure you have two administrator accounts on your PC, or back up your password on a thumb drive.  If you don't, and get locked out, you will lose all data stored on your PC.

 

I hope this helps, and maybe save you some headaches down the road.