Alright, lets put it this way. I have a friend who i share my computer with, i of course, use the computer more than him. we have seperate administrator account on Windows XP, both are passworded. my friend got mad and used his administrator priveledges to change the password on my account so i couldn't access the comp. (some of you may notice i hacn't given any of my usual asinine replies lately) I would like to know how to by-pass this if he ever pulls a stunt like this again. and no, i dont know the password to his account, i cant guess his password, and its not the same as the one he eventually told me he put on mine. also, he may try to make my account into a normall user account instead of an administrator's account, can i bypass it with this on top of everything? this is serious, i need to know.

<span style="color: lightblue">This is the problem with sharing computers. If it is in a workplace, or a family, the answer is much more clear: one admin account (the boss at the workplace, or the head of the family), everyone else is limited. However, when there is only two people, and especially when they are close friends, the situation is alot more ambiguous: does either deserve more privaledges than the other? Having one "SuperUser" account (in other words, mimicing the Linux model as closely as possible) would also not help, because who would have the password?
And possibility of solving it depends on the answers to a few questions.
1) Do you share a house with this friend?
2) Is this the only computer that either of you have?
3) Is the main harddrive NTFS or FAT32 formatted?

EDIT: typo

[ 10-29-2004, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: LennonCook ]

1) yes
2) yes
3) i have no idea

Create a password reset disk.

EDIT: Before you ask, go to User Accounts, click your username, and choose "Prevent a Forgotten Password" and follow the instructions.

When you need it, click on "Did you forget your password" at the login screen and select "use password reset disk" and follow the prompts.

[ 10-29-2004, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Animal ]

no, wont work. when we bought this comp, it came without a floppy disc drive, it says it needs one to work. is there any other way to get my passsword back or to keep him from changing it and my account in the future?

I'd just install the OS twice ;) One for you and one for the other or doesn't windows have good separation to do this?

*Thats ridiculous!*

I'm all for technology moving on but I hate it when they don't put floppy drives in computers. They may be old, and not too fast or efficient, but they're the easiest way of transporting small files from computer to computer..

And you'll need your boot floppy for windows? How can you do a good old format C: without. Floppies are great. Every PC should have one.

Try an Emergency Boot CD then. http://ebcd.pcministry.com/

Alright, i know its bringing up a realy old topic but damnit! he did it again (pardon the language)! and that Emergency Boot CD didn't work, something went screwy with the program! Gah! DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY MORE IDEAS TO HOW TO STOP THIS MADNESS?

All you need to do is when you finally get back in (I'm assuming that he will eventually let you back in) that you go ahead and do the same to him.

Or go out and buy yourself a floppy drive and install it.

Then use the password reset disk.

Change your password next time you have the opportunity? I believe you are required to enter your password before any one can change it, so if you choose a password he can't guess, you are safe...

Seems a lot simpler than any of the other methods suggested [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Also, I believe that on XP, you are required to create an admin account during installation. Try typing in the user name admin without a password... That might help...

Just tell him next time you try to log on windows and you don't have acccess to it, you're formating the computer and reinstalling.

Who own the computer? You or him?

[ 11-12-2004, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Luvian ]

OK, i cant afford a floppy drive (dont ask), he doesn't need my password to change my password. and i can't risk reformatting everything (although i can, easily), but he can since he doesn't use the comp much.

The easiest thing would still be that once you have access to the comp make his account a limited user account. When he asks why you did it you can just say that he annoyed you with changing your password.

^Seems the best solution...
But... this might get him pissed off and he migh actually format the PC or something (if as you said he got nothing to lose).

If getting a new computer is not an option, get a new friend.

AFAIK with a limited account he can not format the PC.

[ 11-13-2004, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

Ok change ur password to something he won't guess then change ur "friend's" account to limited so he can't download, access my computer/my network places/control panel/ or any of that other stuff. well he can access it but not change anything.

Or download a fire wall so he cant access ur account. [img]graemlins/finger.gif[/img] lol he screwed

Stop sharing the computer with him. Delete his acount and change your password.

Floppy drive sells for about 10$...

GAAH! NO! changing the password can't halp! he does not need my password to change it. and i can't change his account type or he'll delete everything! he can risk it easy. so i can't threaten him with anything.

Excactly. Time to get a new friend... Even if you somehow manage to prevent him from changing your password (which it seems is not possible) it is too great a risk sharing a computer in which you store importatant stuff with someone like him (after what he has done twice)...

Who owns the PC?

If it's your PC, just delete his account. Problem solved.

How come he doesn't need your password to change your password? Is he Admin? Ehm if not then you should be able to do the same to him...

Change his account to limited - there is no reason you need to have more than one admin on a home computer. A limited account can do anything a user needs to do on a regular basis. But cant change your password, cant format the drive, cant screw around. If you cant trust him with that much access, then dont bother giving him any and set the BIOS lock. The BIOS lock kicks in before the computer even runs POST, so there isnt really any way past it without the password. Secure the case though, if you can get at the mobo you can clear the lock in 30 seconds.

ok, we both own teh comp. and i can't change his account to a user's, hell delete everything. i suppose im just screwed.

As has been said a few times before if you change his account to a limited user he won't have the rights to delete anything not in his own folder IIRC.

Just a question, why does he have the power over you? If it is a join computer why would he do such a thing? Does he generally just not like you? Or is he just a prick who thinks it is funny to mess up someones work.

he can just reformat the C drive using the boot cd, and he does this when i piss him off. but he is REEEEALLY easy to piss off.

Me, I wouldn't mind sharing my car, my pet, my wife but I would never ever share a PC.
It was bad enough sharing it with my siblings, so I can imagine how it must be sharing it with someone who sees nothing wrong with changing your password... Luckily I have my own now...

Hmmm... I'd make sure to find that boot CD and store it where I knew it to be... and quickly.

Frankly, looking at the situation you're in... you apparently are sharing the computer with a psychopath. Consider checking the Sunday adverts for Office Depot, Office Max, and CompUSA and look for one of the entry-level computer specials. For less than $400, you can be rid of this problem forever.... and if you jointly own this computer, you can sell him your half and cut the cost even more.

Better that than the jail time you'll get when you beat the snot out of him after he decides to reformat the hard drive just after you've completed that 15-page final exam paper... and even though it would be justifiable, you'd still do time.