Are passwords recoverable from unbootable HD?

[Squiggly1]

When you visit a webpage that requests a password, Internet Explorer (and other browsers like Firefox) asks you if you want it to remember the password. It gets stored in the "password manager". Well what happens when a customer's computer won't boot, but you were able to recover their "documents and settings" data? Is it possible to import these passwords back into Internet Explorer or FireFox so that things work just like they used to? Or is it at least possible to just view these passwords so that they can be re-entered one by one in a new installation of Windows XP?

I was able to re-migrated passwords into FireFox on another computer no problem, but I don't know if passwords can be recovered with Internet Explorer.

From what i understand, IE passwords are stored in the ntuser.dat file. Actually I found several "ntuser" files on my computer, some were small .txt files. I tried to back them up but was denied access. It said some of the files were "being used by another person or program". Apparently WHENEVER you are logged on to your computer, this .dat file(s) is "in use". OK. So I tried copying them offline with ERD Commander. No luck. Then I tried using an Ubuntu LIVE CD. It worked. Migrating into my new computer failed, because the ntuser file I wanted overwrite was "in use". So I tried Ubuntu again and it worked. I rebooted, but the passwords were not working. So the forced copy technique failed. Any suggestions on how to migrate Internet Explorer passwords?

 

[kimsland]

This is a good read: Recovering Internet Explorer Passwords: Theory and Practice

But normally I just copy other users passwords to a txt document and give it to them

 

[Squiggly1]

copy other users passwords to a txt document and give it to them

Can this be done on a computer that won't boot to the desktop though?

 

[kimsland]

No I don't believe so

Obviously all Windows Passwords yes
But not IE stored webpage passwords

 

[Squiggly1]

Apparently you need 3rd party software like "ABF Password Recovery" and "Advanced Internet Explorer Password Recovery" to recover Internet Explorer passwords from working or non-booting computers. This article explains use of the software. http://www.articlemotron.com/Article/Recovering-Internet-Explorer-Passwords--Theory-and-Practice/198810#b52

 

[KathyJ]

I use RoboForm Pro. They have a free version and a purchased version. The free version will only save about 10 passwords whereas the purchased version will store many more and it will backup your data. All you have to do with either version when you're ready to log in to a site is go to Roboform in your taskbar, click on logins and then find the web site you're wanting, click on it and it automatically logs you in. Very simple to use. I tried to post their link but it seems I am too new because it won't allow me to do that. But, if you do a search with Google, etc. for Roboform, you will find it easy. HTH

 

[kimsland]

go to Roboform in your taskbar...

I think you may have missed the point a little
If he just wanted to save passwords inside Windows, this thread would have finished on the first reply.

We are talking about a machine that Windows does not start, so therefore, no "taskbar" available
The thread title may have given that away a little

But thanks for your reply anyway

Edit:

This article explains use of the software. http://www.articlemotron.com/Article/Recovering-Internet-Explorer-Passwords--Theory-and-Practice/198810#b52

That's strange, the link I provided above in Post#2, has the same internal link as well, but different website to yours: http://www.passcape.com/internet_explorer_passwords.htm#b52
I wonder who stole from who (very minor differences)