Windows 7 - Router Password?

OK, not quite a Windows 7 issue, but since this appears to be such a knowledgeable place I thought I'd ask here first - a client has a router that someone else installed, and who is no longer available through any means, apparently. They have a Draytek Vigor 2820 router, which works well, and also has quite a complicated setup.

Have backed up a cfg file for the router, but don't have the password for access to it - I can access it, as the password is stored on the PC that it's hard wired to, but it's far from ideal, as if the hard drive ever goes down on the PC I'll need to reset the router anyway.

I can't change the password in the router firmware as it needs the old password first - is there any way of getting the stored password from the (XP Pro) PC? Have tried asterix reader, etc without any luck...

TIA

Use a small screwdriver and reset the router to factory settings and use your browser to config new password.

Regards,
Adrian

I know I can do that, but it's what I'm trying to avoid unless absolutely necessary.... was hoping for a password solution rather than having to set up all the VNC ports and everything again...

Unfortunately it seems to be your only viable solution...

Agreed.

Unable to comply without the initial pw, your only option is hardware reset.

Backtrack 4 might help with this issue.

Notice: I do not know the router in question, the following is based on the test I just made with my Belkin N1 Vision router.

I went to the router's control panel which is protected by password set by myself. I made a backup of router configuration settings and saved it.



After that, I reseted my router to factory defaults. This automatically meant that also the password to access router's control panel was reseted to default. I entered the default password to access router, and chose the option to restore previous settings.



Worked like a charm. The password of my router was reseted, and all the previous settings restored.

At least in my case, the router password is not stored in router configuration. It's just a local, browser password to enter the web interface.

Kari

Thanks to all - I think I'll give Kari's suggestion a try, as I have a backup of the current setup cfg file, and the user/pass combination comes up in the IE password window, so it seems likely it might work - will take screenshots of the relevant router pages to set up again should it not work... it's not a necessity, but I just like to be in control.

This is a good tip for those with routers. I did this awhile ago and it saves a lot of headaches should something go wrong.