Changed Computer name in XP, rebooted when prompted, now won't boo

[Ryan]

I recently inherited my brother's Dell Desktop. I changed the name of the
computer in properties. It prompted me to reboot for change to take effect.
after initial windows boot screen, it goes to black. i tried starting in
safe mode, and from last known good configuration. didn't work. i also
downloaded a password/registry editor to try to get in by changing the
password. didn't work either. now i'm afraid my only choice is to reinstall
windows, possibly losing most of what is already on the computer. can anyone
tell me how this can be fixed without losing everything? my next step was to
back the computer up....guess i should have done that before changing the
name. never had a problem with that on other machines though.

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I recently inherited my brother's Dell Desktop. I changed the name
of the computer in properties. It prompted me to reboot for change
to take effect. after initial windows boot screen, it goes to black.
i tried starting in safe mode, and from last known good
configuration. didn't work. i also downloaded a password/registry
editor to try to get in by changing the password. didn't work
either. now i'm afraid my only choice is to reinstall windows,
possibly losing most of what is already on the computer. can anyone
tell me how this can be fixed without losing everything? my next
step was to back the computer up....guess i should have done that
before changing the name. never had a problem with that on other
machines though.

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Stuart]

I recently inherited my brother's Dell Desktop. I changed the name of the
computer in properties. It prompted me to reboot for change to take effect.
after initial windows boot screen, it goes to black. i tried starting in
safe mode, and from last known good configuration. didn't work. i also
downloaded a password/registry editor to try to get in by changing the
password. didn't work either. now i'm afraid my only choice is to reinstall
windows, possibly losing most of what is already on the computer. can anyone
tell me how this can be fixed without losing everything? my next step was to
back the computer up....guess i should have done that before changing the
name. never had a problem with that on other machines though.

Hello.

You can still get all your stuff of the disk without sweating.

Bing a desktop is a little bit easier than a laptop. I'm just going to focus
on getting at your information you want to backup.

Let's say that it is very difficult to boot but you know that the harddisk
is in very good condition and can still be read. If you are slightly
technically minded then take out your hard disk from your desktop and obtain
a usb2.0 external IDE case. (I'm presuming the hard disk is IDE, if it SATA
then a case for that instead)
Put your hard disk inside the case, the case will have a power supply to it.
Attach it to your Brother's new machine, via USB and boot up your brother's
machine (Make sure your external disk is a Slave and not Master, I've had a
system that got this mixed up once')
Once on the desktop, go to My Computer and you should see your hard disk,
take of what you need and place it all on a USB key or CD. With your hard
drive encased in an external case you have a number of options. You can
re-format it, put it back into your Dell and do a full re-install, or keep it
in the case and use it as a back up device.
There are other ways but this is a simple and very cheap alternative.
Hope it helps.