please help, I can't log on

[Guest]

I had updated to Windows XP, but it kept shutting down the computer. I went
into the system conf. utility in Windows XP and checked the diagnostic
startup box, not realizing that I needed administrator user name and
password. Now when I boot up, my password and user name are not recognized.
I have no way of getting the original administrator information as we bought
the laptop from my husband's company and no one has the information. How do
I get into the computer?

Please help me.

 

[Guest]

At start up tap the F8 key,select safe mode,then enter as administrator,once
in xp,edit the users file in control-panel.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

See: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_passwords.htm on getting past
the admin password. It's about halfway down the page.

When you get a laptop or any pc from an employer, the very first thing you
should do is wipe it out and create a clean installation. This gets rid of
all the junk, and allows you - the user - to retain full control of access
to the machine.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Hi, I finally got into my computer. Now I was going to format it, but I get
the message that "format cannot run becasue the volume is in use by anouther
process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted. first. ALL OPENED
HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a
dismount on this volume.? (Y/N)"

I answered "y" and it come back saying "Cannot lock the drive. The volume
is still in use."

How do I format the drive under these circumstances?

Carol

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Carol,

You have to format it as part of the clean installation. This is done by
booting with the CD and running setup. At the point where you choose the
installation location, you delete the existing system partition and then
create a new one from the free space. Then you cna format (quick) and
proceed with setup. Do not start this process without having the Product Key
for installation handy, as you will not be able to complete setup without
it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Hi again
I booted with the CD and ran the setup. When I was given the opportunity to
delete the existing partition (FAT 24 mb) I did and then made a new one of
16mb leaving 8mb unused. When I tried to install to that new partition, I
got a message that I needed 9? mb of space and that the one I was using was
too small. So I figured that I was supposed to use the other one. So I
tried to delete that one, only it wouldn't let me because it had the
temporary files need for installation. So, I tried to install using that
partition. Again it wouldn't let me because another system was already using
it. So I quit F3 and booted up. Only now it won't boot because of the
changes I made.

Nothing like getting myself into a pickle. Now what do you recommend?
Carol

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A 24MB partition would be far too small, I suspect that what you saw there
was leftover space on the drive not being used after the NTFS system
partition was created. This would be normal.

You would have to restart and remove the existing installation in order to
create a new one.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

I have no idea what I have done, but when I boot up, there are two Windows XP
Professionals to choose from. One works, one doesn't. I think I have two
copies of Windows XP in the computer because the hard drive is almost full
and I only have Windows XP installed. So, how do I get rid of one of them?
Also, I have done something so that my cd drive doesn't read. It keeps
telling to to put in a disc when there is already one in it. What should I
do to solve these problems?

Oh, and sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this. Somehow my time
is never my own. But thanks for you help in the past, and hopefully now.
Carol