Problem logging onto Windows after removing a domain name

Question

My computer was a network computer with a domain name.  It is now a stand alone PC so I go into Network Identification to remove the domain and then restart the computer.  After Windows 2000 starts up, it prompts me for password.  I enter the old domain password but I cannot logon to Windows.  I also try shut down the PC and reset the CMOS, still doesn't work.  Any suggestion please??

jmwills · Answer

When you unjoned from the Domain, all Active Directory properties were deleted and my guess also the password.  Try logging on with the ADMIN account and reset your user password.

AndyRon · Answer

Thank you very much for your reply and suggestion.  What happens is that I have forgot my administrator's password.   Although I have already backup my important files, I really don't want to reinstall windows and other drivers because it is quite time consuming.  Is there a way to skip the password logon?

jmwills · Answer

The default admin password is the null password, leave it blank.

jwatt · Answer

That's true for XP, and the Win2K system may have been set up with a blank administrator password also. But if it was formerly part of a domain, it likely had a password set.

Did you have a local account set up on the machine that was part of the local administrators group? If so, that one should still work.

There are tools available for recovering the situation short of reinstalling. Here's a link to an article about several of them. You can find more by searching Google for lost win2k administrator password.

Jim

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Problem logging onto Windows after removing a domain name

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