Frequently Asked Questions

I saved the start up file and the password changer to a CD, windows boots up normally if I try to boot from the CD. How do I make this program run from a floppy? The program is too big to put on a floppy (1.55 MB).

Solution:

Active@ Password Changer is very small DOS based program (only 65KB) but Windows based installation package contains Active@ Password Changer DOS executable file as well as its User manual, Bootable floppy creator and ISO image for bootable CD-ROM creation. If you do not have administrative rights on your PC, you can start this installation package on ANY computer you have and use it for creation of a Bootable floppy or CD.

Question: I've reset local Administrator's password, but after re-boot on Welcome Screen I do not see user Administrator, just list of regular users. I have Windows XP. How can I log in as Administrator.

Answer:

Operating System Windows XP (Home and Professional Editions) when booting suggests only names of regular users on Welcome Screen by default. Administrator's account is hidden. Press key combination Ctrl+Alt+Del two times to display Login Dialog Window and you will be able to type both user name and password. Type Administrator and use empty password.

Question: I'm unable to find user Administrator in the list of the users after selection of proper SAM database in Active@ Password Changer. Where it is?

Answer:

Most likely local account Administrator has been renamed due to security reasons. Active@ Password Changer always displays built-in Administrator's account on top (even it was renamed) and highlights it using Cyan color. Write down this account name to be able to type it in later on, after its password has been reset.

Question: Will the User Profile be saved, after user's password has been reset?

Answer:

User Profile depends on User Name and Security ID (SID) so it can not be spoiled by changing the user's password.

Question: Will the file restrictions be saved, after user's password has been reset?

Answer:

File and folder security settings are based on User Security ID (SID) that is produced during user account creation and does not depend on user password. You can change your password as often as you wish without files/folders security settings changes.

Question: Do you have a Windows 98 version of Password Changer? Can Password Changer reset password in Windows 9x operating systems?

Answer:

You do not need any software to remove local user passwords in Windows 95(98) operating system(s). Just find and delete the USERNAME.PWL file (where USERNAME is the name of a user account) and the user will have an empty password.

Question: Can Password Changer help me in meeting the complexity requirements (such as digits, small and capital letters, and length of password) set by the PC's Local Security policy?

Answer:

Local Security Account Policy affects the new passwords setting process in the Windows environment. But it does not affect any existing password even if they are absolutely empty. Active@ Password Changer can reset such passwords, and the user can logon with the user account with an empty password.

Question: I have erased the password using Active@ Password Changer on a system where the administrator is no longer with the company. The system is a NON ENGLISH (localized) version of Windows 2000. The Password Changer gave a message saying that the password was changed, but system is still asking me to type the password ("Wrong username or password").

Answer: It is possible that the "Administrator" account in your localized version is renamed (for example "Administrateur" in French version), or has national (non English) symbols. Try to start Active@ Password Changer and find out the real username for "Administrator" account. It has to be first in the user's list with RID = 000001f4. Write down this username and use it for login.

Note: If Username contains national symbols, Active@ Password Changer can not display them correctly, as it works in the DOS environment and DOS does not support Unicode symbols.