corrupt registry and password problems

[Dale Walker]

I've just had a problem with my computer resulting in a
corrupt/missing file 'C:\win-xp\system32\config\system' error.

So, following Technet Q822705, Q322756 support pages, it was suggested
I go into recovery console, make a backup of the default, sam, system,
software and security files in 'C:\win-xp\system32\config\' and then
copy respective files from 'C:\win-xp\repair' to
'C:\win-xp\system32\config\' and reboot.

Unfortunately now I can't even get into the recovery console (or safe
mode) because for some reason none of my username/password
combinations work anymore (including the default administrator account
(which I never configured in the firstplace). Before I copied the
repair files, the password for 'administrator' was blank. I've tried a
blank pasword and my usual username password but neither work.

It seems to me that the 'repair' security file has somehow got
corrupted.

Anyone now how to get around this? As I said, I can't even get into
recovery console anymore due to the dodgy password situation.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Dale,

The admin password is the only one that you can use in the Recovery Console.
If you didn't create one, and using <blank> doesn't help, try loading from
the boot floppy set:

Using the WinXP Boot floppy set:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Boot floppy

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org