Help me please
- Thread starter ren
- Start date
phreakwars
New member
I usually just boot into a linux live distro and access the drive that way. You could either run a crack app on it ( http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/ ), or just delete the password hash (sam) file. Another thing you can use on it is a registry editor http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/ ), Knoppix STD can do the job too... there is also the option of pulling the drive and placing it as a secondary in another PC and doing it.. man, too many ways to count...Linux would be your best bet though. Funny, I don't feel bad about knowing how. B)
One thing for sure, you DO NOT need to wipe the drive and start fresh... that's for wimps. Where there is a will, there is a way.
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phreakwars
New member
A Linux live distro is basically just a distribution of Linux that will boot from a CD or Flash drive. You don't need to go through the process of installing it on your computer to use it. I carry around a bootable flash drive with Ubuntu on it and other password cracking tools on my keychain for just such a situation. Ya just never know when you might need to hack into someone's PC. 
Or, if your not into that, it's a great way to access the internet on someone's PC. The live distro comes with mozilla (firefox), and works with most all network adapters.
I've used it in situations where I've worked on PC's with hard drive failures and needed to get online to order another from newegg for the person and no other PC's were available to use.
So, yeah, I'd get a live CD distro regardless if I were you.
P.S. If your REALLY motivated, you can make an XP bootable disc/flash drive too, though they aren't as good as a Linux distro.
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Or, if your not into that, it's a great way to access the internet on someone's PC. The live distro comes with mozilla (firefox), and works with most all network adapters.
I've used it in situations where I've worked on PC's with hard drive failures and needed to get online to order another from newegg for the person and no other PC's were available to use.
So, yeah, I'd get a live CD distro regardless if I were you.
P.S. If your REALLY motivated, you can make an XP bootable disc/flash drive too, though they aren't as good as a Linux distro.
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timesjoke
Active Members
It is not for wimps, it is actually a great way to be sure there is nothing unwanted on the computer. When someone brings me a used computer reformatting is always my first step.
Sure, all of the things you mention is good, but not for a beginer who does not know what to do once they get access to the drive(s) on the system. Other new errors and problems can show up especially if you mess around with the wrong files.
She is letting her little girl use this, making sure it is clean is actually a good idea, there is no telling what might be on the thing.
Ren, if you can find the local teenager geek I spoke about before he will also have the stuff on a jumpdrive as Bender (phreak) is talking about and can also be sure there is nothing harmful on the system, if you must do this on your own, I would still say wiping the system clean is the only way a novice can be sure everything harmful has been removed from the system.
phreakwars
New member
Wiping it clean is OK I suppose, but that's only if your paranoid about viruses and spyware being on it. Too much work IMO. Myself, I'd prefer just getting in, uninstalling EVERYTHING that there is to uninstall from the control panel, then go back in to your explorer and delete any empty folders and such, then run a registry cleaner on it, defrag, clear browser cache. After all that, install AVG and run a full scan. Then proceed setting it up with the apps you like.
The reason I am saying this, is because of the situation you are in... no discs for recovery. But then, didn't you say it was a Dell? Depending on the model, alot of Dell PC's have a recovery partition on them that contain all the drivers you need, AND also have the OS install files in them. So you might actually have the install disc for it on a hidden partition and might not even know it.
It's a good idea, but I think that's the wrong way to do it.
On my (home built) PC, I have the recovery OS files on a secondary (external eSATA ) drive. This is the smarter way to do it because in case of hard drive failure, having the recovery disc on the main drive will do you no good. In my situation, if I need to change a bad hard drive(s I run mine in RAID 0 ), all I would need to do, is boot to the secondary drive by switching it in the BIOS, and install from there. Doing it from a hard drive is WAY faster then from a CD too.
Another thing I do (because I am a nerd), is I slipstream drivers, software, user, and product key info into the recovery install files. That way once the process starts, I don't have to wait around to enter additional info. I can start the process and slip out the door and head for the taco truck and a 6 pack of Bud Light Lime, visit some friends, screw my old lady, etc.. and when I'm done, I'll come back to a fully functional machine with all my favorite apps installed. No ******* around installing shiit all over again.
I do a FULL REFORMAT AND INSTALL 2x a year whether it needs it or not. But if you don't have the discs to recover, it's best to just clean it up and freshen it up, you'll still be fine.
However... if you DO want recovery discs, you could always download them from the internet via torrent and burn it to a disc for your own use. As long as you are using the original product key on the side of the machine and not some hacked version, your not committing any crime.
You can get Windows XP Home edition retail from here http://thepiratebay....86%29_%28TPB%29
Or the Dell OEM version (which is what you most likely have on that machine) from http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4410910/Windows_XP_Home_Edition_SP2_x86_%28Dell_OEM_Disc%29.
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The reason I am saying this, is because of the situation you are in... no discs for recovery. But then, didn't you say it was a Dell? Depending on the model, alot of Dell PC's have a recovery partition on them that contain all the drivers you need, AND also have the OS install files in them. So you might actually have the install disc for it on a hidden partition and might not even know it.
It's a good idea, but I think that's the wrong way to do it.
On my (home built) PC, I have the recovery OS files on a secondary (external eSATA ) drive. This is the smarter way to do it because in case of hard drive failure, having the recovery disc on the main drive will do you no good. In my situation, if I need to change a bad hard drive(s I run mine in RAID 0 ), all I would need to do, is boot to the secondary drive by switching it in the BIOS, and install from there. Doing it from a hard drive is WAY faster then from a CD too.
Another thing I do (because I am a nerd), is I slipstream drivers, software, user, and product key info into the recovery install files. That way once the process starts, I don't have to wait around to enter additional info. I can start the process and slip out the door and head for the taco truck and a 6 pack of Bud Light Lime, visit some friends, screw my old lady, etc.. and when I'm done, I'll come back to a fully functional machine with all my favorite apps installed. No ******* around installing shiit all over again.
I do a FULL REFORMAT AND INSTALL 2x a year whether it needs it or not. But if you don't have the discs to recover, it's best to just clean it up and freshen it up, you'll still be fine.
However... if you DO want recovery discs, you could always download them from the internet via torrent and burn it to a disc for your own use. As long as you are using the original product key on the side of the machine and not some hacked version, your not committing any crime.
You can get Windows XP Home edition retail from here http://thepiratebay....86%29_%28TPB%29
Or the Dell OEM version (which is what you most likely have on that machine) from http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4410910/Windows_XP_Home_Edition_SP2_x86_%28Dell_OEM_Disc%29.
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timesjoke
Active Members
Well Bender, of course what your saying is good, but your speaking as someone who sees all those steps as easy, like walking. I help a lot of friends who know nothing about computers, the funniest thing I have had a call about lately was a friend who was looking at some naked pictures while his wife was gone and accedently set one of the picts as his wallpaper. He was frantic and his wife was on the way home....I just about ****** myself laughing at this guy.
Unfortunately most regular people don't understand these things and sitting silently while the computer reformats and add a couple drivers at the end is much, much simpler.
As you said, your reformat twice a year anyway, I do that as well, on my kids computers that have a single hard drive I keep a mirror of a zero install (what I call OS and drivers) on a partition of a external drive, I wipe the hard drive on the computer then ghost the partition to their computer, then another partition has all windows updates on it that I run, pop on the antivirus and I am done.
Wiping it clean and reinstalling the OS would be for her, the same thing me and you are talking about we do, it is just done in a way she can handle it as being less computer savy. I was asking her about the local teen geek because that guy would have all the disks and updates as we do and could have her up and running in just a couple hours.
Unfortunately most regular people don't understand these things and sitting silently while the computer reformats and add a couple drivers at the end is much, much simpler.
As you said, your reformat twice a year anyway, I do that as well, on my kids computers that have a single hard drive I keep a mirror of a zero install (what I call OS and drivers) on a partition of a external drive, I wipe the hard drive on the computer then ghost the partition to their computer, then another partition has all windows updates on it that I run, pop on the antivirus and I am done.
Wiping it clean and reinstalling the OS would be for her, the same thing me and you are talking about we do, it is just done in a way she can handle it as being less computer savy. I was asking her about the local teen geek because that guy would have all the disks and updates as we do and could have her up and running in just a couple hours.
phreakwars
New member
Anybody else see the irony here from the advocate of "personal responsibility" saying "GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU"?
How about DO IT YOUR **** SELF!!
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How about DO IT YOUR **** SELF!!
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timesjoke
Active Members
If your weak in something there is no shame in getting help.Anybody else see the irony here from the advocate of "SELF RELIANCE" saying "GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU"?
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I am assuming your talking about me but as far as I know I don't really push the idea of self reliance. I push personal responsibility with a sledge hammer, but I don't recall ever using the words 'self reliance' recently, maybe not ever.
phreakwars
New member
Ah thanks for correcting me, I fixed my post.
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timesjoke
Active Members
Might as well ask why everyone in the world does not do their own engine rebuilds or why they don't just build their homes, bake their own bread or make their own clothing from scratch.Anybody else see the irony here from the advocate of "personal responsibility" saying "GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU"?
How about DO IT YOUR **** SELF!!
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Making a pair of jeans is very easy Bender, why not just figure it out and do it yourself?
Besides, do you have any idea how happy the teenager geek will be to do this? Ren is hot, the geek will be very happy to fix this little issue for her
phreakwars
New member
I see... computer is broke... have someone help you... Sick and need to see a Dr. but can't afford it... pull yourself up by the bootstraps..
Now that's class... your my new hero.
Is that YOU in this vid handing that guy money?
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6ik4f1dRbP8?feature=oembed.
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Now that's class... your my new hero.
Is that YOU in this vid handing that guy money?
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6ik4f1dRbP8?feature=oembed.
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timesjoke
Active Members
What does trying to flame me have to do with helping Ren with her problem?
You have a serious chip on your shoulder Bender, make a new thread if you want to play this game and I will gladly follow you there, no point in derailing this thread, she was asking for help, not trying to give you an excuse to take shots at me. Your an admin, break this mess your trying to create into a new thread and we will go there.
phreakwars
New member
Gotta wonder who the admin is here. I'll derail the topic if I like. Feel free to report me to myself if you like.
And lighten up, I'm just flipping ya shiit.
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And lighten up, I'm just flipping ya shiit.
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ren
New member
How bout I don't want to completely screw up my computer? Isn't that personal responsibility. I agree with the local geek to walk me through it or show me the first time. Lets put it this way. I was a nurse. Suppose I tell you to go do a procedure and tell you how to do it and how simple it is but you protest and say , I'm not comfortable with this and I don't want to hurt my patient. Well nothing wrong with me showing you so everyone benefits.
phreakwars
New member
Actually, I agree too, but like I said, I was giving TJ some shiit. I'd have that person make you a copy though of whatever disc he uses, and make sure he uses a legitimate product key, preferably your old one on the machine.
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