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How to regain access to my data if I forget my administrator password in Windows Home Server 2008 Trial Version RRS feed

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    I am using Windows Home Server 2008 Trial Version but then forgot the administrator password. I did not create any user as well. Because of this problem I am  unable to access the data in my harddisk. Now it is even worse since the trial version has been expired. I would like to ask if there is any way that I  can regain access to the data in my harddisk since I have a very important data there. I am looking forward to hearing from you.  Any respond to my question will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
    Friday, October 8, 2010 12:44 PM

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    You can connect the drive or drives to any computer; they have a standard NTFS file system. You'll find the files in your shares in <drive>:\DE\Shares\etc.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    Friday, October 8, 2010 12:51 PM
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    Thanks for the response Ken.

    I have tried to solve the problem before, by buying a new hard drive and i put it as C: and then the old hard drive (the one which locked because of forgotten password) i put as Drive D:, then install new Windows home server 2008 trial version again into new Hard drive on C. my expectation is after this process, i can access the locked hard drive in D. But it did not work.

    Then, my friend help me with the idea of using  authorization, but still when we want move out the data, system do not allow me to do it. wow ! I hope  anybody who knows the  step by step details to fix my case, will see and and willing to share with me.

     

    Friday, October 8, 2010 3:56 PM
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    Buy or borrow a USB to IDE or SATA converter.

    http://www.amazon.com/Serial-ATA-Adapter-Converter-Backup/dp/B001Q4Z5KY

    Pull your "locked" drive out of the server. Plug the drive into a working computer and pull the files off the <drive>:\DE\Shares\etc.

     

    Another option if you already purchased a new hard drive.

     

    1. Power off the server and disconnect the "Locked" drive.

    2. Install WHS on the new drive.

    3. Power off server and connect "locked drive"

    4. Boot server and do NOT use the console to add the "locked" drive

    5. Remote desktop (or use monitor kyb mouse) into the server and copy your files <drive>:\DE\Shares\etc. to the new shares folders.

    6. Backup now recovered files as appropriate

    7. Once finished add "locked" drive into storage pool. This will delete ALL data on the drive.

    8. You now have your files and more storage space too.

    Friday, October 8, 2010 4:09 PM
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    thank you so much for the response.

    i am new comers in this area (server operating system). 

    i follow your step till point no 3.

    so my server have 2 hard drive C and D.

    C is new with windows home server 2008.

    D is old hard drive which is Locked and contains some important data need to be save (need take it out)

    so i do really need more detail explanation what i should do in regards with point no 4 , 5 , 6 and 7.

    example on no 4 you mention "boot server"

    is that you mean i do start computer with put DVD Home Server 2008 into DVD Drive ? is it right ?

    example no 4 (second isntruction) you mention DO NOT USE THE CONSOLE TO ADD THE LOCKED DRIVE ?

    I am so sorry with my little knowledge. so what i should do ?

    please help me again with more specific what i should do with those point (4, 5, 6, 7)

    many thanks for your kindness.

    Saturday, October 9, 2010 12:21 PM
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    thank you so much for the response.

    i am new comers in this area (server operating system). 

    i follow your step till point no 3.

    so my server have 2 hard drive C and D.

    C is new with windows home server 2008.

    D is old hard drive which is Locked and contains some important data need to be save (need take it out)

    so i do really need more detail explanation what i should do in regards with point no 4 , 5 , 6 and 7.

    example on no 4 you mention "boot server"

    is that you mean i do start computer with put DVD Home Server 2008 into DVD Drive ? is it right ?

    example no 4 (second isntruction) you mention DO NOT USE THE CONSOLE TO ADD THE LOCKED DRIVE ?

    I am so sorry with my little knowledge. so what i should do ?

    please help me again with more specific what i should do with those point (4, 5, 6, 7)

    many thanks for your kindness.

    Just do as Ken said:  connect that drive to another computer (not the server) and retrieve your files from the location he provided.
    Saturday, October 9, 2010 10:29 PM
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    hi guys, i just follow your idea. I attach "locked drive" into another PC running Windows XP Professional with SP3 and using SATA 3.5 to USB 2.0 Cable Adapter Converter without Auto backup button Full 2A Power Supply. 

    The results are

    1. I can go into all my folder inside (good).

    2. all files when i try copy out by highlight the folder and running "copy to folder" menu, totally failed, not even single one file i can copy out.

    messages comes up in small window are 

    heading in the windows said "Error Copying Files or Folder"

    inside of body messages said " Cannot copy Curicullum Vitae: The File can not be accessed by the system" (so SAD)

    3. I try open few files (file with extension .JPG, .DOC, .DOCX, .MP3, .XLS) all is failed. can not be opened. (so SAD)

    seems all my data has been encrypted by WINDOWS HOME SERVER 2008 System.

    I am hoping any expertise can help me.

    many thanks for all of you guys, have been share your skill and experience into my cases.

     

     

     

     

     

    Sunday, October 10, 2010 1:43 PM
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    heading in the windows said "Error Copying Files or Folder"
     
    inside of body messages said " Cannot copy Curicullum Vitae: The File can not be accessed by the system" (so SAD)
     
    3. I try open few files (file with extension .JPG, .DOC, .DOCX, .MP3, .XLS) all is failed. can not be opened. (so SAD)
    Did you use the DE folder? The first time I did this I tried to get the files from (I think) D:\Shares, which doesn't work. You need <drive>:\DE\Shares, as described in this thread.
     
    David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP
    Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:34 PM
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    David,

    I try have a look folder DE, i couldn' find any such name DE.

    so what do you mean ? 

    or other words what should i do ?

    Please teach me more details.

    many thanks

    Sunday, October 10, 2010 3:09 PM
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    David,
     
    I try have a look folder DE, i couldn' find any such name DE.
     
    so what do you mean ?
     
    or other words what should i do ?
     
    Please teach me more details.
    I have a single-disk system, and if I log into my server I see two folders of interest:
     
    D:\shares
    D:\DE\shares
     
    The latter is where you should look for your files. If you do not see this DE folder on your disk, then I would think either your files have been lost, or they were never on this disk in the first place.
     
    Perhaps someone else can help you more...
     
    David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP
    Sunday, October 10, 2010 3:21 PM
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    Thank you David, let me try tonight. I will let you know. bye. many thanks.
    Sunday, October 10, 2010 8:38 PM
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    Did you find the files? Maybe the DE folder is hidden.

     

    Can you get to a point where you see anything at all on the hard drive that contains your missing data?

     

    If so then up at the top of the window click on the word TOOLS.

    In the TOOLS drop down menu click on FOLDER OPTIONS

    at the top of the FOLDERS OPTIONS  window menu click on VIEW

    In the VIEW window find the "Hidden Files and Folders" section. 

    Click on the 'Show hidden files and folders" button.

    click on the OK button to close the folders options window

    Does the DE folder show up now?

     

    Tuesday, October 12, 2010 8:14 PM
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    As the previous poster stated, the DE folders are hidden and not visible with default Windows Explorer settings.

    In detail you find the necessary informations also in the FAQ How to recover data after server failure.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Tuesday, October 12, 2010 9:34 PM
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    If forgot windows password and do not have a password reset disk, try the following solutions:

    1. Reset windows password with install cd.

    • 1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

      2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

      3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

      4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

      5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

      6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

      It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

      Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

      7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

      8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

      9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

      10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

      11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

      12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

      13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

    2. Backup data and reset windows password with winpe boot disk.

    3. Reset or recover windows password with password software, such as ophcrack, Offline NT Password and Registry editor, spower windows password reset etc..

    Use these software to create a password disk and reset windows passwrod.


    I forgot my windows 7 password, What-to-do-if-you-forget-your-Windows-password

    Thursday, February 9, 2012 2:28 PM