WinXP logon problems

[SRrint]

I ran a defrag on my WINXP_HE system. The next time I went to restart the computer, when I come to the login screen where I would normally click on my account logon, my Logon account is not there! I do not know what the heck has happened.

How can I fix this. I cannot seem to start the OS in safe mode. I can load the OS in recovery mode but what do I do when I get there?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[SRrint]

I was able to boot in safe mode, and all the other modes. But still I cannot get past the login screen where the account I would normally click on is missing... Can I repair this somehow from the recovery console? I know there is a program that allows you to configure your system so that is bypasses the regular login screen, can I make this computer do that by modifying some INI files maybe?

 

[SRrint]

My last try. Anyone?

 

[mechBgon]

1) boot in Safe Mode

2) go to Control Panel > User Accounts and create a new Computer Administrator account

3) restart the computer in normal mode and log onto that new account (if possible)

4) go to C:\Documents and Settings and see if your old profile folder is sitting there. If not, panic! :Q

5) if it is there, and you try to get into it, it'll probably tell you Access Is Denied. Don't panic, reboot in Safe Mode and take ownership of it by right-clicking it, choosing Security, then assigning your new Computer Administrator account as its owner like shown in this pic :camera:.

6) boot into normal Windows again and grab your stuff out of your old profile (Favorites, documents, etc). Set up your stuff the way you want it again.

7) optionally, take this opportunity to switch your user account to a Limited account for better resistance to viruses, exploits, IM worms, etc. It just requires setting up another Computer Administrator account where you stash your secret Admin powars 😀

 

[SRrint]

When I boot in safe mode I come to the same login screen as if I was starting windows xp normally. The problem is there is no account to click on to login to. Just something saying that I need to select which user account I want to login to. I cannot get to the desktop...

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: SRrint
When I boot in safe mode I come to the same login screen as if I was starting windows xp normally. The problem is there is no account to click on to login to. Just something saying that I need to select which user account I want to login to. I cannot get to the desktop...

I see. In Safe Mode, try hitting the CTRL ALT DEL twice at that screen. Does a username/password box come up? If so, try the username Administrator with a blank password. That account is the system's normally-hidden Admin account. If that's the account you were using yourself, then that's a bit unusual, and in that case you might want to just do a repair installation, method 2.

If your XP disc isn't at Service Pack 2 level, also take precautions against worm attack (scroll down to the pic & start there).

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[SRrint]

Thanks. This worked like a charm. I started in Safe Mode, hit C-A-D twice, and then logged in as Administrator with no password, did a system restore, and now I am back up and running. Thanks again!

 

[Smilin]

kudos Mech.