I am setting up my old work computer for my son. I have forgotten the Log On to windows password. It is a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop. Is there a way to override or reset the password without wiping the entire system?

There`s a password recovery utility HERE and the EBCD also includes one HERE

Read the instructions on the site(s).

Default (unless changed) root Administrator password should be blank. What windows system has it got?

If its just a regular user, not the "Administrator" account that you've lost the password for then at the login screen assuming its windows xp,(if its not the message box with the Enter username and password stuff) press ctrl+alt+del and the login box will come up. Try entering the user administrator and leave the password blank.

If that doesnt work, or if its the admin you've lost, there are software that you can use, but i cant recall any off hand..

Edit: some of those software are what pedant posted

indeed. Use the NT Offline Passwprd and Registry Editor boot disk that Peddant posted a link to to blank out the administrator password if it's got one, and then log in as "administrator" and change the other passwords.

theres this piece of software you can use thats called dreamon it allows any password to be typed in the password field on whatever account you want to access, i used it to find all my little brohers porn on his comp lol!!! just google it and it should come up

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...ging-password/ heres the link for the walkthrough

for some reason when i cut on my pc it said that i had to change my password to log in so i did then when i tried to log in it would'nt let me. Now the only thing it dose is let me log off is thier a way that i can get past this to log into my pc.

I cant find my boot disc since i moved 2yrs ago please tell me that i dont have to do that.