Q: Performed Microsoft update, now no access??

[audiogeek]

Hi,

I'm running WinXP, recently upgraded to SP2, on my HP5373 laptop.
Haven't had any problems with it until last night when I clicked on the
Windows update notification (padlock icon on the Start bar).

Here's the problem: I have done updates numerous times before with no
problems. This time after restarting the computer, my user account was
gone and replaced with "Owner". Clicking on the Owner account brought
up a password. I never had a password on my old account. Leaving the
password blank won't work neither will about twenty other passwords I
tried (with and without CAPS LOCK).

Tried changing the password with a password/registry editor, but it
only saw the "Administrator" and "Guest" accounts and didn't recognize
the "Owner" account.

Went into safe mode to log in as Administrator. But "Administrator" is
limited access - will not let me make user account changes ("you do not
have privileges") or even reset the system to a prior date.

What can I do - short of re-installing, that is? Any help or
suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Bill

 

[audiogeek]

Correction: running WinXP Home edition.

Thanks,
Bill