I've been locked out!

[Doug]

I just bought a used laptop w/ win XP home. I spent the
better part of the day getting it organized- getting old
software off and new on, etc. Then when I'm finished, I
reboot (the last of MANY!), I come to the opening screen
that says click on user name and there are no names at all!

I was never able to add a new user account- I just kept
the old person's name. But now I can't even log on. I
don't know what happened "all of a sudden-" when booting
before, it never stopped at this screen, but moved right
into windows, automatically logging on with the old user's
name.

Anyone able to tell me what I can do to get back in
(permanently)?

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Boot the computer into Safe Mode and log into the built in Administrator
account.

 

[BigJIm]

call the person you purchased it from and ask for what you need.

 

[bronco7]

Try a complete System Recovery. This will knock out the
old user. Post back if this doesn"t work. There is a much
lengthlier process.

 

[Doug]

Well, I think there's more wrong with the OS than this. I
found some other disturbing things happening before this.
Now I can boot in safe mode, but I still can't log in even
as administrator (no password either). The original owner
can't find the OS disk, so I'm stuck. Guess I'm going to
buy a new OS disk and reformat to a clean install.

Thanks for trying guys!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

If you bought the laptop with the agreement that it would come with the OS
(licensed), go after the seller and insist that they either find the CD and
license (and key) or make them buy you one.