There are sites around that will help you crack or at least reset the Windows password(s).

search for

reset windows password

or

hack windows password

Cheers Haystack I have had a look at a few , will see if the one Optimist gave me works first.

The password cracker sites will only work if it is an easy to guess password or if you are not using the high encription option on your system. This was a late addon for Win 2K and is standard on Win XP although it may not be enabled.

The one that I suggested does not crack the password, it just replaces it.

MS has finally got round to wanting SP3 on my XP comp.
I remember this was a nightmare update when it first came out.
Anyone know if things have improved?
Thanks in advance.

I have been using XP SP3 for 10 moths with no problems. System performance is supposed to be improved by around 10% but that is almost impossible to verify in real life. The only problem thaat I have heard about was highlighted by MightyMicro on these boards. It was a DHCP issue which had an easy workaround if you only have a couple of machines. It may well have been fixed now.

Much obliged, Optimist. Thanks.

My BBC iplayer has stopped working after working fine for months .... this happened after updating to SP3. Plays for approx 14 seconds then starts buffering.

Any suggestions ?

Dilare you opening up a junk/second hand shop?

Why ... got some MDX products that need shifting ?

Dil - you don't need anything other than the Windows XP CD to crack the administrator password. See this article: http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Alternately, as you say you're not bothered about what's on the machine, you can indeed format the disk and install XP from the CD

Hi zz I haven't seen you around for some time.

Thanks for that link. I think the NT password reset is easier but it does have the disadvantage that it will destroy the existing user accounts.

I used to think that password protecting the BIOS and hence locking out alternative boot devices was a waste of time because it is so easily circumvented but I'm now coming to the view that computers should always be locked and BIOS protected. It's just too easy to get into them.

Hi O - just upgraded here from freeloader status (got sick of Advfn's non-working monitor and total lack of interest in fixing it, so came over here)

My problem of getting onto the Selftrade site was resolved to a point. As a company they are useless with the IT dept not getting back to me. Surprisingly it was Virginmedia who helped. It was something to do with my LAN settings and proxy servers. However, after the changes, my computer ran like a dog yesterday on all sites and could barely cope with anything. By unticking 'use a proxy server for your Lan' speeded everything back up but then I couldn't get back onto Selftrade! I've been told Firefox will be better so I'm trying that today.

dd

click the Advanced button under the 'use a proxy server for your Lan' and insert the selftrade site under Exceptions

cheers will try

Cheers zzaxx , problem is my mate has no disks at all although I can lay my hands on a copy of XP.

Dilbert,

Windows XP has an activation feature which is intended to restrict usage to one copy per computer. It's called WPA (Windows Product Activation). Even if it's genuine, you might have a problem activating your copy of XP if it's already registered on the Microsoft database for a different PC.

If you don't activate it within 30 days, I think it disables access. Unless you work out how to crack the WPA of course.

:o)

Depends on the source of the XP CD - if it comes from a Volume Licensing set (eg corporate install, or some types of MSDN), the number of installs are unlimited, with no activation requirement

It works fine hils .... apparently :-)

Been tearing my hair out last few days.

I have an Epson Stylus C42 Plus printer. I changed an ink cartridge without a problem. Knowing the nozzles needed cleaning I followed instructions, but both the green and red lights started to flash (I understand this is normal), but after 30 mins they were still flashing. All attempts to stop the process via the PC failed so I switched the printer off, both wth the green off/on button and the mains. On switching back on all I get are the same flashing lights and the printer takes no notice of anything I do via the PC.
Been on the Epson Web Site but it does not help.
Any ideas please.