We have a client, Population
Services International Liberia (PSI). All of their ICT infrastructure is being
managed by us as a consultant.
There’s a file sharing server
(HP ProLiant Server T620) that has been configured and setup for years running Windows
Server 2008 R2 Standard. Last week, I was forced to upgrade the (OS) Operating
System to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard for below reasons.
I have had issues with RAM
failure twice in the past and the RAM was replaced.
A monthly preventive ICT maintenance
is also carried out on all their IT equipment including Anti-virus full system
scan, defragmentation of disk space, deleting temporary internet files, Windows
updates, checking all wireless access points, switches & routers, making
sure everyone is seamlessly browsing the internet and system backups in case of
disaster recovery or any other future problems.
One morning, I was just back
in office from one of our clients sub office out of Monrovia, Sanniquillie
Nimba County and doing the routine checks. I got an email request from PSI to
creating new users and access to the said file sharing server. To be specific,
Human Resource Department folder. I quickly arranged my tools and left for their
site.
I typed in the administrative
password for the server and got an incorrect password warning over and over. I
couldn’t believe it because even if you woke me up at night I could read it out
loud. I phoned the guy who’s in charge of the server room keys and whom I
relate every sensitive information including Wi-Fi password, desktop
administrative passwords, including the server just in case I am unable to get
there on time due to emergency if he made any changes on the server password.
He responded that yes he did, but can’t remember where he place it neither
remember. I was so frustrated that why would he make changes without securing a
system password or sharing it with me. I had no alternative but to get Windows
Server 2012 software in resetting my password. Now if you don’t have this idea
you will end up running a fresh installation, structuring files, configuring
Active Directory, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and creating all users
over. This would have been more than a pain.
These steps are very easy and
simple to follow once you have your software installation disk or USB
available. (Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard)
· Boot
from you Microsoft Windows Server 2012 DVD
· From
the Windows Setup menu, Click “Next’’.
· Select
“repair Your computer’’
· Under
Choose and option, click on “Troubleshoot”.
· Under
Advance option, click “Command Prompt”.
At the command prompt, run the following commands:
- d: and hit enter
- cd windows\system32 and hit enter
- ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.old and hit enter
- copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe
·
Close the command prompt and click “Continue.”
· The server should boot and display a logon
screen. In this case you only hold Windows
Key + U.
· At the prompt you can now change the password
you wish by entering the following commands:
net
user administrator ‘’Adm1n1str8t1ve” for example.
Close the command prompt, you
will now be able to log back onto the server using the password you entered in
the command prompt. Once you verified that you can log on to the server. That’s
really cool. You still need to repeat the steps in getting to the command
prompt by restarting the server and running these commands:
· d: and hit enter
· cd
windows\system32, and
hit enter
· ren
Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.new, and hit enter
· copy
cmd.exe Utilman.exe
Here are photos of my password reset. The
server is now running without causing any inconvenience to our customers.
Reach
out for NATC for all your IT needs and support!
Prepared by:
Daniel W. Collins
Senior IT Technician
New Africa Technology
Company (NATC)
