Windows XP administrator password LOST !!!

[ash577]

Hello,
My query is regarding my operating system,
I installed windows XP prof. some time back in my pc,
I became the administrator, and made another user in it,
The problem is, I forgot the password of my administrator account,
I did not make a password recovery set in it,
neither did I place a hint in the passsword,
Now, this account contains many important documents,
Is there any way in which I could recover either the lost documents or the password?
I cannot afford to uninstall or format my disc,
If anybody can help me out of this,it would be great,
Thanks

[ancienthighway]

You may be better off calling Microsoft Tech Support for this.  But if you don't care for the phone wait, or if they are going to charge you for support, try repairing or reinstalling XP without uninstalling it.  Your documents will survive, and you should be able to create a new admin account.

[jtavolaro]

If the other user you created is also an administrator, you can change the password of the original account.

Otherwise, check around if any of your friends has a utility called ERD Commander, it's a nifty little program which will let you reset the administrator password.  You could also contact some IT support companies to see if they can help.  Don't waste your time with Microsoft, they will only tell you that you have to reinstall everything.

[BeosBoxBoy]

ash57 - take a look at this webpage: http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

about 1/4 of the way down the page are 4 free tools you might want to try

[PiperK1980]

Ok, I just did this for my friend....Restart the computer in safe mode. Use a user account other than admin. Once in safe mode, go to User Accounts and change the password for the admin. My friend had the same thing happen. She forgot her pw into her account (she was admin) and I booted in safe mode, got in under guest account and reset her password. Now she can access the admin account.

[BeosBoxBoy]

DOH!!

I should have remembered that!!

Thank you, PiperK1980!

[ancienthighway]

DOH!!

I should have remembered that!!

Thank you, PiperK1980!

Well I never knew that....(making note to self)

[PiperK1980]

No prob.

[ash577]

how do i Restart the computer in safe mode