Stuck on Logon Window after auto-update

[Guest]

I have WXP HE on a HP notebook, which had been updated to SP2 and running
fine. I received an automatic update online, which was installed upon
shutdown as indicated. Upon restarting my machine, it booted to the XP Logon
screen rather than directly to my desktop. Normally, I would only get this
logon screen after hibernation or stand-by mode. Additionally, this XP Logon
screen is missing my user name icon to click and logon with. So, the PC now
boots onto the Logon screen and I have no way of getting passed it. I have
tried all the various Safe Mode parameters and still can only get to the
logon screen without my user name icon. From the logon screen, using
ctrl/alt/del I can get to a logon window with user name and password. But, I
can't get by that either after trying various user names including
Administrator and no password. HP Tech Support has recommended that I simply
recover my machine with the recovery disks. Of course, I haven't backed up
my data and can't afford to lose any data. And it bothers me that an
automatic update from Microsoft has apparently hosed itself, i.e., Windows XP
boot-up. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Beginners Guides Forgotten Passwords & Recovery Methods - PCStats.com:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1501&page=5