Lost Windows XP log on password - please help!

[yendor28]

Hi,

This may sound crazy but I would love your help if possible.

ISSUE
-------

I do not have the password to logon to Windows XP. I need to use Adobe Photoshop on the computer. How can I do this please?

eg. will safe mode allow me to use photoshop? (how do I logon to safe mode)

How else can I get around the password please?

Background
------------

I need to use photoshop to make a collage of photos for my friend who leaves. I need to do this ASAP as he leaves soon.

I lent my laptop to my best friend who is in hospital and bored out of his brain. My brother has left his laptop at my place. He said I can use it but did not tell me the password. He is travelling around Australia so does not have mobile phone reception.

Hence I need to access his computer for photoshop use or even to install a new collage program if you can recommend something good.






1. Version of XP
--------------------

Unsure. Standard I expect


2. Hardware setup
--------------------

Unsure. Standard I expect


3. What exactly happened leading up to the problem
----------------------------------------------------

See above



4. Exact error messages
------------------------
Just cannot logon

5. Any antivirus, firewall software you are running
--------------------------------------------------

Unsure. Standard I expect

[DaveC2003]

When you boot up the PC, if it hasn't been upgraded to SP2, it will tell you what version of XP you have at the startup screen.

If you have XP Pro on your computer, at the log in screen type
ctrl-alt-delete twice. In the user account type administrator, leave the password blank and press enter. You likely didn't create a password for this hidden account during setup and if the computer was purchased with XP pre-installed it doesn't likely have one either. (ENSURE THAT YOU ARE LOGGING ONTO THE COMPUTER AND NOT THE DOMAIN)

If you have Home, boot into Safe Mode (F8 after the post test and before
Windows starts. Once Windows starts loading, you've missed it and will have to try again). You'll have an option to log on as Administrator. Again, the same procedure, you'll be asked to log in to get into safe mode, type administrator, leave the password blank and press enter.

This will get you in. Then go to Control Panel, user accounts, select the
specific user and select change password. Once you've changed the password it would be advisable to create a Password Reset Disk by clicking "Prevent a Forgotten Password" link in the left pane.

[yendor28]

many thanks!