System has been locked down/Need to install a program 1

[David27a]

Hi guys, I need to install a program on a windows 2000 operating system, but the problem is that we're unable to reach the admistrator at the current time. When I put the cd to install the program, I'm getting the following message..
"Some programs will not install correctly if you do not have administrative privilges on this computer."
"If you know the password to an administrative account, you can use that account to install the program."

But the problem is that we don't know the password of the administrator.

After chosing the option of installing the program as a regular user and not as an administrator, I'm getting the following message.
"Setup has detected that your
system has been locked down and will therefore not be able to run."
Thanks, I appreciate your help.

 

[Shady66]

Sorry, but as a Network Manager, we lockdown systems to keep tinkering hands from installing every game and internet download that comes along.

Better get a hold of your Administrator...

Lead, Follow of get the %&*#%$ out of the way !!

 

[techsupportgirl]

Hi David,

You can reset the password hash by using a tool like this one:

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

which enables you to reset the admin password on drives with NTFS partitions. BE CAREFUL with it though.

If you have FAT32, then grab any old bootdisk and reboot the computer.

At the C: prompt go to the C:\WinNT\system32\config directory

Del the SAM file which has no extension

Pop out the disk and reboot.

The administrator account is now set to a blank password.

 

[Lemon13]

hi @techsupportgirl,
and when he follows your recommendation his admin will kick his a.. to hr where he get his papers!

@David27a,
if your admin restricts you installing software and you tamper the settings to be able to you get in deep s..t, so think twice what you are doing.

 

[techsupportgirl]

Lemon,

I'm in the business of solving problems. Not worrying about what people do with the information I give them.

We should let David worry about whether or not his actions, if he follows my advice, will get him into hot water or not. Free will and all that. I am not his keeper. For all I know he could be a manager with a need to know this information. He could be in the very department, HR, that you mentioned.

Whatever the case may be, the admin is unreachable. He could be terminated. He could've locked down the machine beforehand (don't tell me you're not familiar with sabotage) or he just could be out sick and not answering his phone. I don't know nor is it my business to know because David did not supply us with that information. He asked for help.

The only concern I have is that the answer I gave David will solve his problem and what his level of satisfaction with my answer is. Having used this procedure before I can say that it will work.

And if David didn't get the answer here, he could just as easily have gone to Google and typed "reset admin password" and gotten the same results.

This isn't top secret information.

 

[Shady66]

I have to agree with Lemon... And if it is the domain admin's password he resets, guess what happens to the services on other servers that are controlled with that password ??

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.




Lead, Follow of get the %&*#%$ out of the way !!

 

[Lemon13]

I'm in the business of solving problems. Not worrying about what people do with the information I give them. "

you are right, he would get this info from somewhere else. i didnt want to attak you, just do me one favor, next time include a warning what he can mess up with the actions you recommended.
you wouldnt be happy if he messes up your network! ;-)

 

[techsupportgirl]

I didn't take it as an attack. And I did say BE CAREFUL but I guess I'll elaborate now just in case David comes back to see all this (which we hope he does).

The creator of that program I linked to has many caveats on the page which explain why it is bad to use the program. Basically if you use it, it's your last resort.

Although I don't like the idea of NOT answering someone's question because of possible repercussions, I do understand why Lemon and Shady would voice their concerns, having been in many a situation where end-users installed something they shouldn't have. All I have to say there is, after the aggravation is over, you get to think about all the overtime you racked up.

The tool I gave the link to will NOT reset the Domain Admin account as Shady pointed out. In order to do that, you have to do a few more steps. All it does is reset the local administrator account so don't worry about the Domain, it's safe for the time being. For the sake of peace and serenity I will not link to instructions on how to accomplish this.

So, in closing, if you can't get in touch with your admin (for whatever reason up to and including his/her impromptu vacation in the Caribbean without notifying IT Mgmt) you can use this tool.

Beware though, if you use it, you CAN screw it up though I must say if you follow the directions exactly you probably won't do that. If you're uncomfortable have a capable, technically savvy, person do it, ok?

And if you work in a corporation and you're trying this, make sure you get permission beforehand because you don't want to be, as Lemon pointed out, dragged into HR and having to explain yourself.

Ok?

Okay!

 

[Lemon13]

hi @techsupportgirl

thumbs up ;-)

 

[Mich]

To continue the debate, I have to agree with lemon and shady. My intention isn't to gang up on techsupportgirl, just to add my .02.

girl, if someone posted a question on a forum wanting to know the best way to rob the local bank would you tell them? Granted that's a crime and an exaggeration, but you don't know what David's intentions are (no offense David). He could be a disgruntled worker intending to install some malicious software on a PC or server. Let him do his own dirty work. You may be in the business of solving problems, but no one here is signing your check.

David, coming from the viewpoint of a network admin, I'd be uber ticked if someone changed the admin password for whatever reason and would report him immediately. What techsupportgirl suggests will work (and could be very useful in certain situations), but, as others have pointed out, be VERY VERY CAREFUL.

 

[David27a]

Hey...TeckSupportGirl, Shady66, Lemon13, Mich.....Thanks all of you for your help. Well, I didn't want to take the risk, so I just didn't do it. We just got in contact with the Administrator several days ago.....it turned out that he had kidney cancer. So he actually came yesterday, and installed the software that was needed. TechSupportGirl...I really appreciate your response....have couple of more dayes elapsed, I would have tried your suggestion....So I'm sorry guys for creating that conflict between you....and thank you very much for your great responses....I really appreciate it...

 

[techsupportgirl]

Hi again David!

I'm glad to see everything worked out for you and you did not do anything that may have been viewed as inappropriate. Hope the sysop feels better. And don't worry about the "conflict". We techies often disagree on many things

Have a great day!

 

[Shady66]

Same here Dave... no sweat on the little stuff. Glad everything worked out.

Ditto to TSG... Hope he feels better.

Lead, Follow of get the %&*#%$ out of the way !!