XP OS is corrupted and don't know administrator pw to sign on

  • Thread starter Thread starter liz
  • Start date Start date
L

liz

My XP is corrupt and I am trying to use a recovery tool
that asks me for an administrator password to be able to
enter and repair the files. the operating system was
preinstalled on my dell.. so I don't think I ever had
created a password.

If i did provide a password, I don't remember what it was
or if I need to follow any guidelines (number of
characters, atleast one number, etc).

Please let me know if there is a way to use a repair disk
to repair my files without havinga password and if there
were any requirements I had to follow if I did give a
password
 
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| My XP is corrupt and I am trying to use a recovery tool
| that asks me for an administrator password to be able to
| enter and repair the files. the operating system was
| preinstalled on my dell.. so I don't think I ever had
| created a password.
|
| If i did provide a password, I don't remember what it was
| or if I need to follow any guidelines (number of
| characters, atleast one number, etc).
|
| Please let me know if there is a way to use a repair disk
| to repair my files without havinga password and if there
| were any requirements I had to follow if I did give a
| password
 
My XP is corrupt and I am trying to use a recovery tool
that asks me for an administrator password to be able to
enter and repair the files. the operating system was
preinstalled on my dell.. so I don't think I ever had
created a password.

If i did provide a password, I don't remember what it was
or if I need to follow any guidelines (number of
characters, atleast one number, etc).
Click to expand...

You can try not entering any password (just hit "enter" key),
this did work w/some installs but OEM's are getting better. ;-)
One option is to call dell support...they likely have a default
standard password (not sure...but just an idea).

Of course..as Carey suggested...you can try a repair install
or even use original media (OS CD) and select "upgrade"
install (which will not bother any basic files/settings you had)
if that media supports upgrades (not all do...some only do
fresh installs). Look also (if all else fails) for or ask help on
"parellel installations" where you load a 2cnd install and then
move files/folders over to new system installation but this
is a bit complex procedure if you are not familiar with system.
 
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