XP Repair-Administrator Password problem

[Guest]

I need to repair my XP SP2. After answering which installation I want to
repair it asks for the password. I am signed in as the administrator and I
currently have no password, so I just click enter. It gives me a C:/Windows
prompt, which I have to exit from.
How can I maneuver around this so I can go about the business of repairing
my OS??
thanks,
Al

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I need to repair my XP SP2. After answering which installation I
want to repair it asks for the password. I am signed in as the
administrator and I currently have no password, so I just click
enter. It gives me a C:/Windows prompt, which I have to exit from.
How can I maneuver around this so I can go about the business of
repairing my OS??
thanks,
Al

You're in the recovery console, and it apparently did let you log in because
you got to the prompt. What exactly is it you wanted to do in here? What do
you need to repair? You can run a lot of things (chkdsk, etc) in the
recovery console....

 

[Guest]

Actually, you are pressing R at the Welcome Screen to Repair the installation
which is not right option you are looking for. To repair your current
installation:

1. At the Welcome Screen Press Enter to continue with setup instead of
pressing R for Recovery Console.
2. Then you will be asked to accept the Agreement.
3. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R
to start the repair.

Read the article below for more information:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Hope this help, let us know!

 

[Guest]

I have a number of issues going on as the system will freeze up whenever I
open up a PDF file or any video format file. I replaced the motherboard with
the same make/model and I am operating but have issues that need repair. I'm
more than open for a workaround!
a

 

[Guest]

Why don't you try System Restore first? If that doesn't help then do a Repair
Install as explain in link I refered earlier.

Let us know!

 

[Guest]

I have already done system restore, Registry repair, discscan and Symantec
System Works. One question I do have left is the disc I'm using is for a
Dell and it's stated to be the "Operating System" disc, not a repair/restore
disc. I lost my original XP disc and have restructed that computer a few
times and Microsoft has given the blessing as I retained my license number.
Could the Dell be causing a problem? If so, I'm sure I can borrow an
original XP and use my license number.
Thanks
a

 

[Guest]

This is a custom build which I did. I've been operating it with various
upgrades for at least 4 years. I made a big mistake with hardware (RAM) and
had to replace the MB. Now I just have issues. I'm open to the easiest fix
available. I can boot up, I can run most of my applications, it's just that
sometimes, and it doesn't take more than a day, an application will freeze it
up and I'll have to reboot.
thanks again,
a

 

[MAP]

I need to repair my XP SP2. After answering which installation I
want to repair it asks for the password. I am signed in as the
administrator and I currently have no password, so I just click
enter. It gives me a C:/Windows prompt, which I have to exit from.
How can I maneuver around this so I can go about the business of
repairing my OS??
thanks,
Al

The recovery console needs the pasword for the person who installed XP, not
for just any administrator. If the install was done by a major PC maker,
you may need to contact them for it.

However, the password is sometimes blank. So, try just pressing enter when
you are asked for a password, it may help.

Or, if you can get into XP, even safe mode, you can arrange to bypass the
password by the following registry change:

Instead, just run REGEDIT (Start à Run à Regedit)
Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\Recover
yConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel value to 1

http://www.theeldergeek.com/recovery_console.htm


After doing this reg edit follow the instructions at this ling for the
repair.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Good Luck

P.S. after doing a reinstall all of your windows update hotfixes will be
gone and you will need to reinstall them as well.

 

[Jim]

This is a custom build which I did. I've been operating it with various
upgrades for at least 4 years. I made a big mistake with hardware (RAM)
and
had to replace the MB. Now I just have issues. I'm open to the easiest
fix
available. I can boot up, I can run most of my applications, it's just
that
sometimes, and it doesn't take more than a day, an application will freeze
it
up and I'll have to reboot.
thanks again,
a

Have you determined that you do not have some kind of hardware problem? For
instance, an application can freeze because it is trying to read or write to
an unresponsive disk. A repair of the os will not fix hardware problems.

Jim

 

[Guest]

Jim, I cannot be sure except to say that Adobe and the video portion
consistantly freeze up the system. Any adivce as to how I should eliminate
each piece of hardware for check? I have checked all of them through the
system administrator...hardware...and all are working properly.
a

 

[Rock]

Jim, I cannot be sure except to say that Adobe and the video portion
consistantly freeze up the system. Any adivce as to how I should
eliminate
each piece of hardware for check? I have checked all of them through the
system administrator...hardware...and all are working properly.

Start with testing the RAM and the hard drive. Download and run at least
two of these RAM testing utilities. These will create a bootable CD. Let
each one run for 24 hrs or so, not just a single pass.

Memtest86+
http://www.memtest.org/

Windows Memory Diagnostic
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

DocMemory Memory Diagnostic
http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp

To test the hard drive, download a diagnostic utility from the drive
manufacturer's web site. This will make a bootable floppy or CD. Boot from
it and run the diagnostics.

Here is a link on hardware troubleshooting:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

 

[Guest]

Well Rock that should keep me busy for awhile!
I have 3 machines so it's not like I'm dying on the vine but that's my
biggest toy and I use it for my photos and music and most "stuff".
I'll let you know how it works out.
a

 

[Guest]

Try using your computer by running Windows in Safe Mode. Check if it still
hangs in Safe Mode too. If it still hangs in Safe Mode then I will advise you
to first take backup of your important data to a removable device. If Windows
work fine in Safe Mode then it could be possible that the problem is only
with Windows not with the hardware itself. Try updating your Video Drivers
from the manufacturer's web-site. If that doesn't help then a successful
repair or clean installation of Windows can also determine that your hardware
is in good position.

Let us know!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I need to repair my XP SP2. After answering which installation I want to
repair it asks for the password. I am signed in as the administrator and I
currently have no password, so I just click enter. It gives me a C:/Windows
prompt, which I have to exit from.

Why? That's the Repair Console that you wanted to enter.

How can I maneuver around this so I can go about the business of repairing
my OS??

Perform the repairs that you intended performing when you entered
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console (Q314058)
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314058



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

This is almost overwhelming.
I was able to run the Windows repair. I've booted back up and still have
issues. The suggestions regarding the testing are a bit deep for me as:
1) My floppy drive doesn't function, and
2) Nero shuts down when asked to do something.
I'm starting to feel like backing up and formatting and reloading. I have 4
hard drives so it's not like I'll have a problem storing. i don't store much
on my C drive.
Here is what I have:
C: 200 GB SATA
D: 200 GB
G: 160 GB
H: 160 GB
Windows XP Home, SP2
1GB Ram
AMD Athlon 64, 3000+
MIS K8T Neo-v motherboard
Win XP Maxtor SATA/150 PCI card
Two drives, C and H are connected thru the SATA card; 2 IDE
C is my OS drive.
The response has been fabulous! I'm feeling confident the community can
figure this one out!
I think I would like to try starting in the safe mode but I need help for
knowing what to do once in that mode. I'm familiar with it.......meaning I
know it only starts "barebones" of the system, but I need more information.
thanks again, one and all.
Al (who now has enough rope to hang himself)

 

[Guest]

Ok gang, here's the latest.
I restarted the computer in the safe mode. Everything went well.
If you read my last post you now know my hardware setup. The system is
showing 1 GB of ram.
I opened up Pinnacle Studio in which i take photo files and make a movie out
of them. Once the files are dropped into the timeline it plays like a video.
I enhance the transition from file to file and add music.
After dropping in several hundred files I was past the point of where i had
froze up before. I then went into the play mode, which simply shows each
file in the viewing window. A short time into the play mode the system froze
up. Keep in mind I am in the safe mode.
Does that help anyone?
Thanks,
al