How to Access Data of a Password Protected User in Windows XP in Case the PC Fails to Boot

Method 1 of 2:

Using an Ubuntu Live CD

Change the boot settings. Restart Computer and change the Boot Settings to read from Optical Drive before the HDD. Then Insert the "Ubuntu Live CD" (free open source download) and Restart the Computer.
Run the disc. Run "Ubuntu Live" without installing Ubuntu onto the Hard Disc.
Access the files. Access the Windows Files on the HDD using the Ubuntu operating system.
Make sure to be thorough. Scavenge through important Files, Documents, and possibly other External Drive Sources.
Save files to an external source. Save all important files and documents onto a safe external device or burn them to a disc, if you have more than one drive.
Change the boot settings again. Restart the Computer, change Boot Settings back to Read HDD first again.
Reformat the drive. Reformat your HDD using Windows Setup Disc. Or, "FDisc" if you have no Windows Disc (also free open source download).
Good Luck! This should solve the problem.

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Second Computer

Be ready. If you feel comfortable handling computer hardware and have another computer available, you can have full access to the information by connecting the hard disk to another computer. This section assumes that you have some basic knowledge of computer hardware.
Shut down your computer and disconnect everything. Pull out the power, monitor cables, PS/2 and USB devices, the speakers, etc. All cables and external devices must be removed.
Open up the computer case.
Locate the hard disk.
Disconnect the power and IDE/Serial ATA cables.
Either mount the drive to another computer or use an IDE/Serial ATA to USB device. Be sure to set the jumper to the correct setting, for now you may want to set it to "slave".
Boot up the second computer and log in. Copy the information you want to save.
Put the drive back in the original computer and wipe everything, then reinstall Windows as usual.

Kareem Winters

Update 04 March 2020

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