Our technical support department often receives messages from users requesting help. The users are unable to log into the system because the USB key is lost or corrupted, and the user has forgotten the PIN code or entered it incorrectly three times, or the system is set up to “allow log on only via USB key”.

A unique USB Key for your Windows

First, remember that by default the first created USB key is unique for your system. This has the following implications:

• Logon is possible only by means of that USB key (or a password)
• The program will not accept other USB keys for Windows logon. For example, if you have made a USB key for another computer with the help of the USB key management utility program from Rohos Logon Key server version.
• Your Windows password is stored on the USB key only in encrypted form. Therefore, even if the USB key was not protected by a PIN code, it would still be impossible to extract your Windows password from the USB key.

In addition, Rohos Logon Key by default protects the computer in Safe Mode. Thus, if the user has selected the option “allow logon only via USB key” and does not have the USB key (it is corrupted, lost or reformatted, or he has forgotten the PIN code) then it will be impossible to logon to the system using standard methods.

Basic recovery tools

Rohos Logon Key provides user with a set of recovery features that will help to access Windows in emergency case.

• Setting the emergency logon, which makes it possible to log on without a USB key. How to set up Emergency Logon.
• Or create a second USB key to log on to your computer
• Server version of Rohos Logon Key on the Admin’s computer (if the computer is in Windows AD)

Tools for recovering system logon

The remainder of this article will discuss several options to restore logon, depending on the security settings for Windows and for your computer.

1. A home PC or notebook, not connected to a LAN
2. A computer connected to a LAN
3. A server or workstation in a Windows Active Directory network
4. When you do not know the password

Suppose that the USB key is not available for logon, but you do know either your own password or a Windows administrator password.

1. A home PC or notebook, not connected to a LAN. The principle for recovery here is to uninstall Rohos Logon Key:
   

   1. It is necessary to start the computer under another operating system. You could boot it with a Linux Live CD (such as Knoppix Linux or Ubuntu Linux) or a Windows Live CD. Such a CD-ROM can be purchased in any shop which sells computer CD/DVD disks with programs.
   2. Then you need to delete the file c:\program files\rohos\welcome.exe (if you are using a Linux Live CD you will need to move into the windows partition using the program ‘mc’).
   3. Restart the computer in safe mode (press F8 during startup) and log on using your password.
   4. Delete the program Rohos Logon Key and resart the computer in normal mode. Logon with your password

2. A computer connected to a LAN. You may be able to try two recovery methods, depending on the configuration of Windows Firewall on your computer:
   1. Connect to your computer using Remote Desktop;
   2. Delete the program Rohos Logon Key over the network:
      1. Click Start-> Run. Type ‘cmd’, and press Enter.
      2. In the black window, type “”net use * \\computer_name\$c * /user:Administrator”. Then you must enter your password and, if it is accepted, then a network drive will appear, containing the contents of the C drive of your computer.In the command above, you should replace “computer_name” with the name or IP address of your computer. You can replace “Administrator” with the name of your account
      3. Go to the network drive and delete the file \program files\rohos\welcome.exe
      4. Restart the computer in safe mode (press F8 during startup) and log on using your password.
      5. Delete the program Rohos Logon Key and resart the computer in normal mode. Log on with your password
3. A server or workstation in a Windows Active Directory network. Here recovery depends on using a network version of the Rohos Logon Key program:
   1. Connect to a remote workstation using Rohos Remote Control
   2. In the option list, uncheck the box “Allow only USB key logon” and also “Bound up with a USB key”. Save your changes.
   3. Create another USB key




To unlock the PIN Code, which was entered incorrectly 3 times: Press the button “Detailed Settings” and choose from the list the settings in the form of “B4C2156E” (the length 8 symbols) and delete them.

4. When you do not know the password to any account on your computer, then you need to reinstall Windows in Restore Mode. Some Windows settings will be lost:
   • Insert the Windows installation CD and restart computer (Firts boot devide should be CD-ROM)
   • Restart the computer from CD-ROM
   • From the Windows Installation menu, choose Recovery Mode

Features list

Screen shots

How to configure USB flash drive for Windows Logon