Need to repair Windows XP but don't have administrator password

[haroldact]

I have been unable to start my computer because of a missing or corrupt
hal.dll file. I would like to repair my windows xp pro installation by
booting from my WinXP CD and selecting "repair". Everything is fine
until I am prompted to enter my administrator password. It lets me try
3 times before making me restart, and go through the whole thing again.
I cannot for the life of me, remember what my admin password is. I'm
trying to remember when I even created it. Is there a way around this?
Or is my only solution to reinstall Windows and loose my files? Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Harold

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Do you recall ever creating one? Was this system preinstalled by the
manufacturer?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rock]

I have been unable to start my computer because of a missing or corrupt
hal.dll file. I would like to repair my windows xp pro installation by
booting from my WinXP CD and selecting "repair". Everything is fine
until I am prompted to enter my administrator password. It lets me try
3 times before making me restart, and go through the whole thing again.
I cannot for the life of me, remember what my admin password is. I'm
trying to remember when I even created it. Is there a way around this?
Or is my only solution to reinstall Windows and loose my files? Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Harold

Assume it's blank and just hit enter.

 

[Carl G]

You probably don't have one.Most people don't put one in, just click OK.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I have been unable to start my computer because of a missing or
corrupt hal.dll file. I would like to repair my windows xp pro
installation by booting from my WinXP CD and selecting "repair".
Everything is fine until I am prompted to enter my administrator
password. It lets me try 3 times before making me restart, and go
through the whole thing again. I cannot for the life of me, remember
what my admin password is. I'm trying to remember when I even
created it. Is there a way around this? Or is my only solution to
reinstall Windows and loose my files? Any help would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you.

Harold

Sure you really want to load the Recovery Console or do you want to do a
Repair Install?
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Recovery console info.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#RC
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I have been unable to start my computer because of a missing or
corrupt hal.dll file.

"Error Message: Windows could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320252/EN-US/

"Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you
start your computer http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184/EN-US/

I would like to repair my windows xp pro installation by
booting from my WinXP CD and selecting "repair". Everything is fine
until I am prompted to enter my administrator password.

Note that "Repair Installation" != "Recovery Console"

It lets me try 3 times before making me restart, and go through the
whole thing again.

Most likely, the password is blank. Just hit the <Enter> key. Otherwise:
'The Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to
Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308402/EN-US/

Once you can access Windows, you may want to read
"How to enable an administrator to log on automatically in Recovery
Console" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312149/EN-US/

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have been unable to start my computer because of a missing or corrupt
hal.dll file. I would like to repair my windows xp pro installation by
booting from my WinXP CD and selecting "repair". Everything is fine
until I am prompted to enter my administrator password. It lets me try
3 times before making me restart, and go through the whole thing again.
I cannot for the life of me, remember what my admin password is.

Usually that is a blank; try hitting TAB to skip over, and hit enter