Okay, I bought a computer from a pawn shop and it came preloaded with Windows XP. The guest account is enabled along with another users account. The computer did not come with the restore software and I don't have any copies of anything lying around to do a fresh install not to mention there is licensed software on the computer I would like to keep (photoshop and Auto-Cad Lite).

I did a little googling and seen that I can reset the password or even brute force the hash using programs such as LC5 but access to the SAM ( and yes I did try to copy the repair directory SAM ) has been prohibited by the former owner.

Then I seen the linux approach.

I am currently downloading the Knoppix ISO but I need some directions as to what I am doing. How can I reset the password for the admin account. Delete the SAM?

How about if you just wanted to reset only the admin? Is there a line in which I can delete?