[Help - Windows] Help with an old XP user account

[Velvet_Nightmare]

So my stepdad brought home this old tower from work running Windows XP. Whenever we log in it shows a pop-up windows that asks for a user name and password. It's not the typical lock-screen that Windows XP has, it's just a pop-up window on top of the desktop. Can't access anything without giving the credentials.

Is there a way to get rid of the account, or is he gonna have to track down the original user and get the password?

[FlashD]

That popup usually shows up in 2 scenarios; the normal log on was disabled or the OS is part of a domain. If it's the later, just reformat it and get something newer (Windows XP will reach EOL in April making it vulnerable to Internet threats). Dealing with domain enrolled PCs outside a domain network is a nightmare. o_o;; If it's not in a domain, reformat it and get something newer (due to the previous mentioned EOL). If for whatever reason you have to get into the OS, contact the original user (as you've said) or you can find tools online that will help you crack the passwords. Sadly I cannot provide any help regarding those tools, due to the fact that they can be used for malicious use. I'd rather avoid making public tutorials on how to crack OSes. o_o;;

[AllHopeInEclipse]

So my stepdad brought home this old tower from work running Windows XP. Whenever we log in it shows a pop-up windows that asks for a user name and password. It's not the typical lock-screen that Windows XP has, it's just a pop-up window on top of the desktop. Can't access anything without giving the credentials.

Is there a way to get rid of the account, or is he gonna have to track down the original user and get the password?

It sounds to me like it was a part of an Active Directory set up. Meaning the computer it self doesn't have a log in, but each user object on the server it was on did. Off the top of my head I don't know a way around it other than formatting it and installing your own OS. I'll poke around and see if I can find a solution.

[Velvet_Nightmare]

Off the top of my head I don't know a way around it other than formatting it and installing your own OS.

That's what I was thinking, but then again the tower is so damn old that he's considering just buying a new PC, ASSUMING we can't get around the login on this one.

[AllHopeInEclipse]

That would be the easiest thing to do. You could get your stepdad to contact his IT department and see if he can have them switch it off the domain (Requiring you to take it to them as they're not likely to give out an admin password). If the comp it really that old it might just be easier to get a new one.

[demonix]

Windows XP does have a built in administrator account (I'm not 100% sure if you have to be in safe mode to access it) that should allow you to remove and add accounts, and I'm sure that you can also swap between the classic log in prompt and the more familiar windows XP account selection screen using a keyboard command (what this is and if it's actually true is beyond my google-fu at the moment).