Windows XP won't start

[Aaron Davis]

Here is briefly what happen: I do some stuff on the
computer, and had to restart it to have the changes take
effect. I restarted the computer and then it gave me a
error about \windows\system32\config\system becing messes
up. This had happened before, so Iwent through the
process to resolve this problem. The only thing is it did
not start! So after I replaced the SAM file, the
Administor's password wouldn't work, and I cannot get into
Windows XP.

1. Can I install another copy on another disk and get into
my previous drive even though it is NTFS?

2. Have you got any idea what the password is for the new
SAM file the I copied from the Repair directory?

3. Can anybody tell me why this process did not work this
(Microsoft Knowlegde Base) time, even though it did last
time?

Thanks for any help.
Aaron Davis

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Here is briefly what happen: I do some stuff on the
computer, and had to restart it to have the changes take
effect. I restarted the computer and then it gave me a
error about \windows\system32\config\system becing messes
up. This had happened before, so Iwent through the
process to resolve this problem. The only thing is it did
not start! So after I replaced the SAM file, the
Administor's password wouldn't work, and I cannot get into
Windows XP.

1. Can I install another copy on another disk and get into
my previous drive even though it is NTFS?

2. Have you got any idea what the password is for the new
SAM file the I copied from the Repair directory?

3. Can anybody tell me why this process did not work this
(Microsoft Knowlegde Base) time, even though it did last
time?

Thanks for any help.
Aaron Davis

You left out some important information like, what "stuff" you changed on
the system? Also, which Knowledgebase article you are referring to?

You can likely install to another hard drive or primary partition and then
take ownership of the user files in the other installation as long as they
were not encrypted.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP-Windows Shell/User

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