In tip 0554, we were able to reset a lost Administrator password, via manipulation of the Schedule service, from an alternate install.
Here is a less complex alternate:
01. Install an alternate copy of Windows NT.
02. Boot the alternate install.
03. Use Control Panel / System / Startup.. to change the default boot instance to your original install.
04. In the original Windows NT folder, navigate to the \System32 sub-folder.
05. Save a copy of logon.scr, the default logon screen saver.
NOTE: If you implemented tip 0028, use that screen saver every time I reference logon.scr.
06. Delete logon.scr.
07. Copy CMD.EXE to logon.scr.
NOTE: If you have implemented tip 0004, set AutoAdminLogon to 0 by using tip 0182
08. Shutdown and restart your original install.
09. Wait for the logon screen saver to initiate. It will actually open a CMD prompt, in the context of the local system account.
10. Type MUSRMGR, into the CMD prompt from step 09, to execute User Manager, and reset the Administrator's password.
11. Delete the logon.scr from %SystemRoot%\System32.
12. Rename the saved default screen saver, from step 05, to logon.scr.
NOTE: If you have implemented tip 0004, set AutoAdminLogon back to 1, by typing Regedt32 into the CMD prompt from step 09.
13. If you wish to keep the alternate install:
Compress its' folder.
ATTRIB -R -S -H c:\boot.ini
Edit c:\boot.ini and change the text of the alternate installs 2 entries to ALTNT.
Implement tip 0012.
14. If you wish to remove the alternate install:
Delete its' folder.
ATTRIB -R -S -H c:\boot.ini
Edit c:\boot.ini and remove the alternate install's two (2) entries.
