Can't logon to Windows

[Guest]

While trying to set up a home network, I erroneously disabled the
Administrator Account, so I can't use it to log on. The Windows screen says
"click on your account," but there are no accounts visible. I did
ctrl-alt-delete twice and got a dialogue box. When I put in Administrator,
it says "account has been disabled." When I try to logon as "Guest" I get an
error message that says "local policy won't allow me to log on interactively."

The only thing I know to do now is a System Restore, which will mean
re-installing about 30 applications.

Any ideas how I can get past the Windows account screen?

Thanks!

 

[Malke]

While trying to set up a home network, I erroneously disabled the
Administrator Account, so I can't use it to log on. The Windows screen
says
"click on your account," but there are no accounts visible. I did
ctrl-alt-delete twice and got a dialogue box. When I put in
Administrator,
it says "account has been disabled." When I try to logon as "Guest" I get
an error message that says "local policy won't allow me to log on
interactively."

The only thing I know to do now is a System Restore, which will mean
re-installing about 30 applications.

To enable the built-in Administrator account for a single session (all that
is necessary), simply go into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the
F8 key as the computer is starting. If no user logon appears in Safe Mode
where you can type in the user account name "Administrator" (or click on
it), press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice. This will give you the classic logon where
you will be able to type "Administrator" and the password you previously
assigned the account.

Once in, enable the Administrator Account. It would also be wise to create
an additional user account with administrative privileges for future
emergencies such as this one.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response. Your solution doesn't work because I don't have a
password problem; my problem is that I have disabled all of the user
accounts. I've tried safe mode, and input "administrator" in the dialog box
and I get an "account is disabled" message. When I try "guest" the message
is "policy doesn't allow you to log on interaactively."

Any other ideas?

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the response. Your solution doesn't work because I don't have
a password problem; my problem is that I have disabled all of the user
accounts. I've tried safe mode, and input "administrator" in the dialog
box
and I get an "account is disabled" message. When I try "guest" the
message is "policy doesn't allow you to log on interaactively."

The response I gave you had nothing to do with a password problem. The
standard answer to disabling of the built-in Administrator account is to
boot into Safe Mode since the Administrator account will be enabled
temporarily for that one session. If you really disabled the Administrator
account and you really booted into Safe Mode and found that the
Administrator account was not temporarily enabled, then I don't know what
else to suggest other than perhaps a Repair Install.

Perhaps you did something more than just disabling the built-in
Administrator account or perhaps there were other problems on the machine.
Or perhaps since you were trying to set up a home network you set your
computer to be a member of a domain which is not the same as disabling
Administrator and could certainly produce similar problems.

System Restore will not require you to reinstall anything. If you can get
into the system at all (and your first post would seem to indicate that you
can't), then you can run System Restore to before you did whatever it was
you did.

Since I don't know your skill level, you may wish to take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA)
where they may be able to fix the situation.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Malke:

I tried "Safe Mode" after disabling the network and it worked! I'm up and
running. I'll be more careful in the future. Thanks again for the input, it
was invaluable.

 

[Malke]

Thank you for your second response. Yes, I was trying to set up a local
home
network. The network, a desktop, laptop and 2 printers, seems to be
working
fine. I can access shared files, etc. I think my crime was going into
the
Administrator and User Group and disabling all of the accounts. My errant
thinking was that this would eliminate the need for a Windows password
(I'm
the only one who uses the computer). I may not be the most knowledgable
computer guy but I'm fearless....I plunge in and learn by screwing up. I
have to admit that this is my worst screwup.

At first I was able to boot to "safe mode." Double ctl-alt-del, putting
"Administrator" into the dialogue box with no password yielded a response
of
"This account has been disabled. See your Administrator." I also tried
"Owner," "Bob," and "Guest" with no success.

I can no longer get into Safe Mode. A list of drivers is printed and
hangs
up in the middle. I have to turn off to re-try something else.

I tried the "System Recovery" key at boot up. It offered 2 options:

1. PC Recovery - reinstalls to factory default, deletes all owner
installed
programs, but does not delete data files. I have not done this.

2. Windows System Restore - takes you back to an earlier time or to the
"Recovery Console. I tried earlier time first. It brought me back to the
Windows Logon screen with no accounts visible. Double ctl-alt-del yields
the same result as before for "Administrator," "Owner," "Bob," and
"Guest."

Next, I tried "Recovery Console - it asked which installation of Windows I
wanted:
1. D:\I386
2. D:\MiniNT
3. C:\Windows

1 and 2 take me to the respective directory with a list of commands and a
D:\I386> or a D:\MiniNT> prompt. None of the commands help.
3 takes me to a prompt and asks for the Administrator password. I reply
with blank, and end up back at C:\windows> I type "Exit" and the system
reboots to the Windows login screen with no accounts visible. The dialog
box behavior is the same as above.

I've now disabled the local network and will try again.

Unless you have other ideas, I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet, do
a recovery, and re-install all of my software.

Whatever the outcome, I want to thank you for the time you spent answering
my questions.

Don't feel too bad - screwing up operating systems is how you learn to
repair them! You apparently have an OEM machine (HP, Sony, Dell, etc.) that
only comes with a System Recovery process and not a real XP operating
system disk. See if your System Recovery will allow you to do the
equivalent of a Repair Install - where you install the operating system
over itself in order to fix broken stuff. Sometimes this works and
sometimes this doesn't. If your System Recovery doesn't allow this, then
you'll be taking the computer back to factory condition.

The alternative would be to find a friend with a generic XP OEM disk or an
OEM disk for that specific computer mftr. that isn't a Recovery image. Or
possibly take the machine to a skilled local computer professional.

Otherwise, I'm afraid that you should just do the System Recovery to factory
condition. Then do yourself a favor and buy imaging software like Acronis
True Image and an external hard drive. Then you can make your own image
after you've installed all your software the way you want it in case you
get wild and crazy and tinker again. ;-) Seriously, don't stop tinkering -
just do it smarter.

I'm sorry that I didn't fix your computer. Don't hesitate to post back if
you need any more help though.

Malke