Resurrecting a locked Windows 7 computer

[RANGER295]

In my classroom I have a laptop cart with 30 Windows 7 computers. IT has kicked all Windows 7 computers off the network and the school board has "obsoleted" them which means they have been declared surplus property with no value. IT told me today that they are E-wasting them all. I asked if I could keep some and was told I take what I want but they are not going to do any work on them to resurrect them and basically I am on my own.

I have tried my passwords for both networks and they do not log into these computers. I never had admin privileges on them anyway. How much work would it be to bring these back to life? Thanks.

[2shotjoe]

Not hard, Google "remove windows 7 passwords with Linux usb" and that will work. I did it before a while ago.

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[sonofeugene]

Buy a new HD and install windows 10 on it. But we'd need to know a lot more about the computers to see if it's really worth it. Age, brand, model, processor, ram, etc.

[Helpful_Cub]

My personal favorite is to reformat and install Linux on them. It's amazing how much bloat Windows machines have at the end of their software versions. Many of the newer flavors are very easy to use and have a lot free software available.

[Jorvaljr]

Easy fix. Buy inexpensive ssd drives from either newegg.com or amazon. 250gb ssd are about $25-$30 dollars each. Now on a working pc go to microsoft webpage and download windows 10 onto a flash drive. I stall the ssd on a laptop and insert windows 10.

[SkyHawk]

You can probably use the sticky keys hack to root it. It has worked for me every time.

https://4sysops.com/archives/forgot-the-administrator-password-the-sticky-keys-trick/

But probably better to nuke it with a fresh install if you have OS install media and license key

[C.G.]

Buy a new HD and install windows 10 on it. But we'd need to know a lot more about the computers to see if it's really worth it. Age, brand, model, processor, ram, etc.

What he said, except get an SSD instead of an HD, if the hardware is decent.

[tokuno]

0) Snag all of the laptops that have an iee1394 port, because the std was deprecated, but they make fabulous video conversion machines for the bazillions of owners with 8mm digital handycams.
1) download a password reset utility & reset admin - easy to do, because you're not trying to be stealthy.
2) don't upgrade the ieee1394 machines; leave them on Windows 7 for firewire compatibility/support, but isolate them as standalone machines, since their security updates are EOL.
2a) download (using a diff machine, obviously) & install OBS (Open Broadcast Studio)
2b) give or sell your legacy-video conversion machines to some of the innumerable people who are desperate to convert their precious family memories off of tape, but can't afford the 4-figures to have a service convert their large collections.
3) To convert the non-iee1394 boxes to Win10, and since they're running an authorized copy of Windows 7, perform a free upgrade to Windows 10, e.g. how-to-download-windows-10-for-free-now-that-windows-7-is-dead/
Beware the eBay license keys. Google it: you might get away with it forever, for some indeterminate time till MS de-activates that key, or not at all. Try the free upgrade first; it's a permanent, legit, MS certified install of Win10
3a) Give the resource-hungry, slow Win10 laptops to your kids. It'll teach them patience :-)

[DolphinFan]

[DaveInOroValley]

Sound like you could sell them here to some interested. I would take them all.

[holiday]

You don't need to be an IT guru to crack the local admin password and this would be the easiest way to keep them as is. If your not able to do this, then wipe them and install Linux and run vm's...this takes some IT skill. If you reinstall with Win10, those laptops will be slow even with upgrades. Their probably 5 years or older so not worth upgrading imo.

[ibanezfoo]

SUPER easy. If you google it theres like 500 ways to do it. I have a USB key I boot off of and change the passwords to whatever I want in about 30 seconds. We used to take over companies and their angry IT staff would never give up the passwords to servers and whatnot. Ultimately it never matered...

[Cowboy T]

Good timing; I just did a thread on this subject.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1697367

This "older" computer runs pretty darn fast now, and it's great.

[Californio]

Old laptops like this are great for programming Ham HT radios as well, that what I use mine for.

[MrFancyPants]

We used to take over companies and their angry IT staff would never give up the passwords to servers and whatnot. Ultimately it never matered...

Even better if they have that attitude about datacenter equipment, makes getting into those systems that much more satisfying. It's scary how easily and quickly I can get admin access to any Cisco router or switch as long as I have physical access to the console port. I'd make them watch.

OP, Google "ultimate boot cd" and that's all you need. Put it on a USB stick.

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