Forgot Windows XP Administrator Password

I was helping a client move data from Dell D505 Laptop, that the screen went out on.

After plugging it into a monitor, I thought things were going smooth. Then the question of "Ok, it is asking for you Administrator password". We tried many, many different options, but none worked.

So, I google the net for some solutions. The wiki how article outlines several methods. However, I did not have any luck with 1-5. I think Method 5 of the article with the XP Recovery disk, used to work, but with XP Service pack 2, it now prompts for a password. Or that was my experience.

Method 6, was not an option for me, because the drive did not fit my Drive Enclosure.

So on to more hacks. This article:
Offline NT pw & reg-editor did the trick. It is a little involved, but the instructions are pretty good. I would use caution with this approach, as things can go pretty bad, but you might consider, when other methods have failed.

Good Luck.