welcome screen - missing users

[Jeff]

I've been having a problem with my XP Home Edition, but
was relieved to see that I'm not the only one. Please look
at the following:

1. "Today something strange happened. For no apparent
reason when Windows XP (home edition) boots up it comes up
with a screen asking me to select a user account. However
there are no icons to choose from so the only option is re-
start the computer. I have tried re-installing Windows XP
with no change. I have tried booting up in safe mode and I
get to the same screen. Any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated. David"

2. "starting my computer, windows for some reason logged
on as if I were going to choose an user account to log
onto. However, I am the only person who uses my computer
and I am the administrator and there are no other users
accounts. Thus, it brings up a screen asking me to choose
a user account, but there aren't any user accounts to
choose from! There is only the red shut-down button in the
bottom left of the screen. I can't log into Windows to try
to figure out what the problem is because it won't let me
past that screen. I've tried loading in Safe Mode as
well. -Nate"

3. "My daughter's laptop (Compaq Presario 2100 running
Windows XP Home) no longer shows any user accounts in the
friendly welcome screen -- so there's no way to log in.
Any ideas how to login?

I have tried CTL-ALT-DEL twice to get the login dialog,
but it doesn't accept her username/password.
So, I tried booting in safe mode to get the Administrator
account. Alas, there are no account icons in the friendly
welcome screen in safe mode either! Tried CTL-ALT-DEL from
safe mode and typed Administrator/blank for
username/password to no avail. Tried a variety of
combinations of Administrator and Guest (upper and lower
case, etc.) and guesses at the password.
Remember that I can't get past the login screen, so please
don't suggest anything that uses Start/Run, Control Panel,
Regedit, etc."


So, I am not alone! However, every helpful hint I've seen
with regards to resolving this problem requires that one
is logged into their computer. And that I cannot do. Prior
to this morning my PC had one user, and the computer
automatically booted to the desktop. Now, without warning,
the welcome screen prevents me from selecting that user,
and the ctr-alt-delete login box doesn't recognize any
default user name or password. What should I do, please
help?!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

My sincerest thanks,
Jeff

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Your point is well taken about other users having the same problem but
there's no need to post the other examples beyond saying others are having
this issue as it confuses and slows the process.

Start with the following, boot the system, start tapping F8, when the menu
appears, select "Last Known Good Configuration" and press enter.
If that fails, repeat the above but select Safe Mode and press enter.
At Safe Mode, select the user account named "Administrator," leave the
password blank and press enter. If you have an antivirus application, I
would update it from there and run a scan. If the system is clear, try
using System Restore to take your system back to a time prior to when this
began. Start\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore.
***NOTE: run the virus scan before attempting System Restore because if you
have a virus the restore files may be infected as well.

If the above fails to resolve it, if you have the application PC Anywhere
installed on your system, see the following Knowledge Base Article and
perform the steps it outlines from Safe Mode:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;331880&Product=winxp

If that doesn't apply but you are able to access Safe Mode as outlined,
return to Safe Mode and start backing up your data files as you may not be
able to get out of this without a format of the XP partition which will wipe
that drive and lose all your files.

That said, before going that far, it's possible a repair install might
resolve the issue, be sure you've first backed up your data if possible
since we don't know what is wrong and don't know at this point if a repair
install will make matters worse:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.