Clemens Vasters

May 17, 2004

@ 08:21 PM

The forgotten Windows Server 2003

This here reminds me of the box that's quietly humming in my home office and serves as my domain controller, firewall, RAS and DSL gateway. I upgraded the machine (a rather old 400 MHz Compaq) to Windows Server 2003 the day before I flew to TechEd Malaysia last year (August 23rd, 2003). I configured it to auto-update from Windows Update and reboot at 3:00AM in case updates have been applied.

Guess what: I got back home from that trip (which included 4 days touring the Angkor temples in Cambodia and another 10 days hanging out at the beach on Thailand's Ko Samui island) and realized that I forgot the Administrator password. Tried to get in to no avail. I've got rebuilding the box on my task list, but there's no rush. I haven't really touched or switched off the machine ever since. It keeps patching itself every once in a while and otherwise simply does its job.

Categories: Technology

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Tuesday, May 18, 2004 6:18:37 AM UTC

Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows 2003 Server :). I upgraded all the servers at work, and I think I've rebooted them twice since december (and those were to solve other, application-level problems). Same at home - 2 Win2K3 servers, never touch them except to tweek the spam filter.... :)

Its a DAMN NICE CHANGE :) I'd never be able to do that with 2K :)

Nic Wise

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 3:31:51 PM UTC

Rather than re-build the server you can create a CD boot disk containing one of the numerous free tools that will let you reset any password (including Admin). I have done this before on Win2K and XP machines. I'm assuming the same is possible on Win2k3.

This page has links to several of the tools I mention http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm. It beats rebuilding the box!

Ben Taylor - PlayerPal

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:41:37 PM UTC

Same happened to me: I rapidly forgot the admin password of my Proliant server running Windows Server 2003. But I was more lucky than you - it seems: during the system installation, I was asked if I wanted to create a "System password recovery floppy". Generally, I don't use floppies anymore, but this time, I was well inspired and I thought that it could become useful. And I was right... ;-)

Christophe Lauer [MS]

Thursday, May 20, 2004 1:32:51 PM UTC

These could be used to break in as well I would think: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/PermaLink.aspx?guid=393