User Account Deleted

B

bretsharon

Laptop defaults and asks for a password to a User that apparently has been
deleted using computer management, but does not accept any password. I think
an administrator account is still there, but I don't know what it is and or
the password. Have I lost everything?....XP sp3 seems to boot up ok.
 
R

Randem

See if you can boot into safe mode using the hidden administrator account
then you can delete or change the password. If you cannot logon in safe mode
you will need to download and create a CD to reset passwords and accounts.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?
 
B

bretsharon

Could you tell me about how to open the hidden adminstrator account and
delete/change the password? Also, on the TOP Inno website you cited, I take
it that the cd you refer to create is there?
 
B

bretsharon

Thank you. At one time I was able to get into safe mode, but did not
understand what to do. Now I try to go into save mode, and it says windows
could not start because a file is missing
\windows\system32\config\system...so I think I will just wipe the hard disk
clean and start over...fortunately I am OCD on backups, so it is not a major
loss.....Interestingly, I booted from an old Norton/Ghost disc made in
12-7-07 and it worked.....it is the only thing from Symantec that did which
is why I don't used it at all.....I also have Acronis which works well
too...thank you
 
R

Randem

If windows complains that files are corrupted then you need to do two
things:

1 - Use the Windows CD to do an Over the top Install. Meaning a repair, not
a console repair but the second repair option if it shows. If it does not
show when it asks you if you want to install Windows QUIT. You will do a NEW
installation if you continue and lose your data.

2 - Use a disk testing utility such as Western Digitals WinDlg to test the
disk for bad sectors. If the program find some it can correct them but if it
finds too many you need a new disk.

Either way you should be able to extract your data or part of it from the
drive that is failing or cannot boot.
 

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