Corrupt file, can't repair because admin password not working

[.]

Please help. When I try to boot my WinXP Home Edition desktop computer I
get an error message, "Windows could not start because of the following file
is missing or corrupt: \Windows\System32\Config\System." It goes on to
suggest running the repair program on the WinXP CD. So I changed the BIOS
to boot first from the CD drive, put my XP disk in the drive and booted the
computer. When I got the option to run the Repair program, I was prompted
to select the Windows installation (1:C\Windows), which I selected. Then I
was prompted to enter the Administrator Password. I entered my logon
password (My account is the only account with Admin access) but it said it
was the incorrect password. After three attempts I could only reboot the
computer and try three more times. Why doesn't my password work? Is it
looking for a password for an account named "Administrator?" No such
account exists on that computer. Is there a default Administrator account
and password like XP Pro? Please help and post suggestions. I'd hate to
have to re-install the OS from scratch. Thanks,

Jim W.
http://www.gatorgrad.com

 

[Guest]

----- . wrote: ----

Please help. When I try to boot my WinXP Home Edition desktop computer
get an error message, "Windows could not start because of the following fil
is missing or corrupt: \Windows\System32\Config\System." It goes on t
suggest running the repair program on the WinXP CD. So I changed the BIO
to boot first from the CD drive, put my XP disk in the drive and booted th
computer. When I got the option to run the Repair program, I was prompte
to select the Windows installation (1:C\Windows), which I selected. Then
was prompted to enter the Administrator Password. I entered my logo
password (My account is the only account with Admin access) but it said i
was the incorrect password. After three attempts I could only reboot th
computer and try three more times. Why doesn't my password work? Is i
looking for a password for an account named "Administrator?" No suc
account exists on that computer. Is there a default Administrator accoun
and password like XP Pro? Please help and post suggestions. I'd hate t
have to re-install the OS from scratch. Thanks

Jim W
http://www.gatorgrad.co




Jim... You missed a step.
1. Turn off any anti virus program and BIOS-level protectio
2. Make sure your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is set to first priorty start-up device ( You did
3. Insert your Windows XP in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM and restart your compute
4. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" prompt appears press any ke
5. The computer will start and check your hardwar
6. Here is where you messed up... Hit ENTER not 1
7. Then hit F8 to accept the Licensing Agreemen
8. Here is where your current Windows XP installation is liste
9. Now press "R" to start the automatic repair process

Good luck Jerry

 

[.]

I was trying to get to the repair console as suggested in other postings. I
didn't realize there was an automatic repair. I did what you said and I got
quite a scare. Everything that happened after running your steps looked
like it was re-installing XP from scratch (and maybe it did). I was afraid
I wouldn't be able to get to my files. However, after the long installation
process and it rebooted, I saw the welcome screen that I'm used to and was
able to log in. I checked windows update, and there are a ton of updates to
re-install, but that's quite ok with me. Thanks for your help. You've
really helped me out. I'll be sure to pass this on to anyone else in a
similar situation. Take care,

Jim W.
http://www.gatorgrad.com