chntpw seemed so easy but it doesn't work
 

Hello, I have a windows xp computer with an unknown password. I want to reset it or delete that password rather than do a complete reinstall.

So i got my ubuntu live cd and booted it up, put on chntpw and ran its magic......it said it removed the password.

But it did not.

I've used this method in the past and it has worked. Why not on this computer? Any ideas? What else can I do?

Do you get to the windows welcome screen?

Yes, it went to the windows screen and you'd see the users, when i'd click them it would ask the password.

I ended up just wiping the system and reinstalling windows as time was of the essence. But thanks for the reply. Time to find some backup tools for this in case it ever happens again.