I give up, who knows how

[runzwithsizorz]

I have failed at my logon problem, so I'm willing to reformat and do a fresh install of my retail xp os. I am failing at that as well, you would think it would be easy. This will be one for the record books.

 

[Fardringle]

If you have the Windows XP CD, simply boot from the CD and when you get to the point where it asks you to choose a partition where you want to install Windows, either choose the existing installation to do a "repair" over the top of what you already have, or choose to delete the existing partition and then install a clean/new copy of Windows in the empty space created by the deleted partition. Back up your files first if you choose the second option because that will delete everything on the drive.

 

[k0rnh0li0]

boot safe mode admin and remove password or repair like fardringle said

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: k0rnh0li0
boot safe mode admin and remove password or repair like fardringle said

You should know, that without the ablity to even log on, safe mode, in any of it's 3 modes will NOT WORK. There was never a password to remove, which is no big deal, for you just hit *enter*, this however could confuse some people, for you will be asked for it. Also, a clean install is NOT POSSIBLE in this instance, or at least not in this arena. selecting the repair mode will only take you to a dos counsel, with limited commands. I could be wrong, but I don't believe XP home 32 will allow you to roam about using dos commands to make changes like we did so many years ago. I'm looking around the basement for some of my old dos manuals, maybe I could move some files, (i.e. my wifes saved games).
BTW, I told my wife that she may lose her saved games, I think she took it rather well, right now she's down in the kitchen sharpening knives.

 

[moonsite]

Did you try these steps first?
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl...asswd/walkthrough.html

With Windows 2000, I remember all I had to do is boot up into dos mode and delete the sam file. You do need to get the NTFS bootup though, so you can read NTFS partition. I am not sure if it would work with XP though. But I am pretty sure the steps mentioned above can reset your password.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Thanks Moonsite, but a password isn't my problem, (see my other thread below).

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: k0rnh0li0
boot safe mode admin and remove password or repair like fardringle said

You should know, that without the ablity to even log on, safe mode, in any of it's 3 modes will NOT WORK. There was never a password to remove, which is no big deal, for you just hit *enter*, this however could confuse some people, for you will be asked for it. Also, a clean install is NOT POSSIBLE in this instance, or at least not in this arena. selecting the repair mode will only take you to a dos counsel, with limited commands. I could be wrong, but I don't believe XP home 32 will allow you to roam about using dos commands to make changes like we did so many years ago. I'm looking around the basement for some of my old dos manuals, maybe I could move some files, (i.e. my wifes saved games).
BTW, I told my wife that she may lose her saved games, I think she took it rather well, right now she's down in the kitchen sharpening knives.

Don't use the initial repair console option that the Windows CD gives you. Proceed as if you are doing a brand new install of Windows, but choose to install it in the same place where Windows is already located. At that point you will be asked if you want to repair Windows. Choose yes and Windows will be reinstalled over the existing installation. This may or may not fix the winlogon.exe problem, and you'll probably have to reinstall most programs and games, but it won't delete any of your documents or saved game files.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

OOH, Fardringle thats great news! I am dying to try it, but it is quite late here in Va. and I know once I get started I won't want to stop. I'm nearly falling asleep here at my desk as it is.
I will report back tomorrow, good night, and thanks.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: Fardringle

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: k0rnh0li0
boot safe mode admin and remove password or repair like fardringle said

You should know, that without the ablity to even log on, safe mode, in any of it's 3 modes will NOT WORK. There was never a password to remove, which is no big deal, for you just hit *enter*, this however could confuse some people, for you will be asked for it. Also, a clean install is NOT POSSIBLE in this instance, or at least not in this arena. selecting the repair mode will only take you to a dos counsel, with limited commands. I could be wrong, but I don't believe XP home 32 will allow you to roam about using dos commands to make changes like we did so many years ago. I'm looking around the basement for some of my old dos manuals, maybe I could move some files, (i.e. my wifes saved games).
BTW, I told my wife that she may lose her saved games, I think she took it rather well, right now she's down in the kitchen sharpening knives.

Don't use the initial repair console option that the Windows CD gives you. Proceed as if you are doing a brand new install of Windows, but choose to install it in the same place where Windows is already located. At that point you will be asked if you want to repair Windows. Choose yes and Windows will be reinstalled over the existing installation. This may or may not fix the winlogon.exe problem, and you'll probably have to reinstall most programs and games, but it won't delete any of your documents or saved game files.

Sorry to say this method isn't working either. I get as far as the EULA, and when I hit f8, (I accept), nothing happens. Something to note, in the command prompt I can *see* the CD, the DVD, the slave drive, BUT only the windows portion of the main drive,(??). As you may well know, in dos, if you can see it, you can play with it, (kinda like a naked girl in your bedroom). In my half asleep state late last night, FARDRINGLE, I had forgotten my earlier response, "NOT POSSIBLE", been there, done that. I realize that it would be easy to just wipe the drive, and reload, (or at least it should be), but then mrs. runz would be *disappointed*. She had told me that she had played through the entire game, which is why I felt safe in *toying* with her PC. She neglected to tell me, that in this game,(Painkiller) you replay it with some sort of special powers, tarot cards I believe she called them. I find it hard to believe a 68 year old retired school marm could be so passionate over a silly game, then again, I cheat at solitaire. Perhaps there's a way to cheat this game, and give her these cards?? Meanwhile I'm going to play around just a little longer with the dos prompts, cuz I just hate to lose, and well, I don't have a life.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

well, bit the bullet, and formatted. During the process one thing flashed by about, NTLDR, it's not come up since. CHKDSK, says I'm good to go, so I try a, Fresh install of xp, and once again, agree at the EULA, then nothing. I think the problem may lie in the boot sector.
It just keeps getting better.

 

[Modelworks]

Download this and burn to a cd or put on a usb stick.
http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

It is very easy to use, just boot the pc with it and go to the partition section and delete the partion. Create a new partition, then format.

If that doesn't work then boot again to the software and go to the KillDisk option and choose one pass zeros method, and overwrite the first 100 sectors. That will remove all traces of the old MBR, Partitions.

Then re-create the partition and format .

I have run into this problem several times when using a drive with different OS. The above always fixes it.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

First off, I'd like to thank those that tried to help, all of the info was good, even correct. my quest to solve the problem, plus your input has brought me to a state of higher learning,(amazing the stuff you can pick up, while looking for something else), also embarrasment. I am embarrased cuz I should have seen it, it was right at my fingertips. Oh sure, I did indeed have to repair windows, but that was all. No loss of info, drivers, wifes' saved games, no posting here, etc. I even thought it might have to do with windows activation, for when I pushed the f8 button after the EULA screen, "nothing happened", I went so far as to say, "NOT POSSIBLE". The creation of my problem was the push of a button, and the solution was as well, one damn f'ing button!
Can YOU find the answer?? come on, it's right at your fingertips.

 

[Fardringle]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
First off, I'd like to thank those that tried to help, all of the info was good, even correct. my quest to solve the problem, plus your input has brought me to a state of higher learning,(amazing the stuff you can pick up, while looking for something else), also embarrasment. I am embarrased cuz I should have seen it, it was right at my fingertips. Oh sure, I did indeed have to repair windows, but that was all. No loss of info, drivers, wifes' saved games, no posting here, etc. I even thought it might have to do with windows activation, for when I pushed the f8 button after the EULA screen, "nothing happened", I went so far as to say, "NOT POSSIBLE". The creation of my problem was the push of a button, and the solution was as well, one damn f'ing button!
Can YOU find the answer?? come on, it's right at your fingertips.

Do you have a keyboard with an "F Lock" button that has to be pressed before the function keys will work after a reboot?

I have a keyboard like that and didn't even think of it until I read this post.


I'm glad the computer is behaving now. Don't click that check box again!

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Ah Fardringle, you nailed it, must have given you too many clues. The wife has somewhat forgiven me for losing her saved games, for she thinks I'm a genius for getting her computer up and running again, let's not tell her otherwise shall we . I will post back on this thread tomorrow with the name of that utility that I *misused*, and got me into this mess, it really is a great little app. kind of like ctrl, alt, del, on steroids. A good tool in the right hands, then again, so's a loaded gun, and the word, oops just doesn't cut it should you misuse either.
Hang around folks, I have 4 more computers with, *issues*.
Thanks again, Runz

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Howdy, Heres the name of that utility that started the ball rolling here. This program not only shows you the entire computer, it actually gives you complete control of it, something Bill Gates would never allow, but I hear he's on vacation, so live it up! BTW, do you have cookies enabled? This program even has the launch code for an ICBM, code name, debug.exe.

AUTORUNS v 9.39 / http://technet.microsoft.com/e...nternals/bb963902.aspx

Hey Fardringle, thinkin of getting a new License plate, OUF812, or OIF8IT whadda ya think?

 

[Old Hippie]

Sounds exactly like something I would do! :laugh:

But, like I always told my apprentices..."Good or bad, fixed or not, it's all a learning experience and many times you'll learn more from the fuck-ups, than the fixes."