How to change an admin password in XP/Vista

Let's say your flatmate changed the password on the admin account. Let's say you're not trying to hack into his personal files to see naked pictures of his girlfriend ..rather you're trying to install a vital piece of software that you need to test so as not to get fired. What can you do?

First option
In case you have another administrator account ..well ..use that ( duuuuh).

Second option
You might be able to get into safe mode. It may be protected or it may not be. If you do get into safe mode you'll be able to create another account with administrative rights and then log on to that one. To get into safe mode just press F8 while booting and select Safe Mode.

Third option
If you somehow have access to system files. WinXp ,actually windows NT, stores passwords in crypted files : SAM. There are plenty of .sam editing tools out there but I wouldn't know which one to recommend. You can also try deleting the SAM and SAM.log files located in windows/system32/config/. The problem with tempering with these files is that even a tiny mistake may make your windows unsable and you'll need a clean reinstall.

Fourth option
This actually is the safest one. You can use one of the many freeware programs out there that are specifically designed for this. For a list of such programs and a few other tips and ideeas you can take a look at Petri's site. I actually used Petter Nordahl-Hagen's Offline NT Password & Registry Editor downloaded from there and it worked wonders.
Hope this helped someone, cheers.

Vista Annoyances Resolved

     This may seem to some as a weird thing to do, something like advertising for the competition. But I never started this blog with the intent to make money, or as someone said leave a big mark. Basically I started this blog because I was somewhat bored of all the work I ocasionally do, going to waste. And another reason was to somehow thank and show my respect to many people out there that know what they're talking about, and have helped me many times.

    Now, what am I talking about: Thanks to Chris Flores from MS, Ihave known about THIS ARTICLE, for a few days but I have never had time to read it until now.

    It's a " breath of fresh air" ( if Skype doesn't sue me , Chris might), bringing an unbiased look at Vista's features, Vista vs XP , implementation rates and all those things that are so often blogged/posted/written/talked about around the net and the IT comunnity. It also features a few tweaks for Vista, plus a quite lenghty PDF file with all kinds of tweaks, ticks and explanations. Best part is Koroush Ghazi ( the author) is very coherent and uses very little tech jargon so that every user may understand it. 

   Again the article is HERE, it's a little long but I believe it's a very nice read.