OT-WinXP Passwords

Caruso wrote on 1/25/2004, 5:35 AM
Hope you won't be angry at me for posting this question here, but, of all the forums I peruse, this one always seems composed of the most knowledgeable and helpful individuals.

My system was a 900 mhz 128mb 100 mhz RAM setup running three boot options, two WinXPPro, one Win98.

Out of the blue, WinXp #2 decides that my system is low on virtual memory during boot up, and is going to resize it. Then, I get an error message that I can't proceed due to the low memory situation.

I tried a repair installation of WinXPPro, and it failed, also due to an error - so, then, I tried a full install to that same WinXP partition . . it also failed, some library could not be loaded.

Fortunately, the other two boot-up options are still functioning, so I'm not out of business completely.

I decided that this problem represented a good justification for adding more RAM to my system (I know, virtual memory doesn't really involve RAM . . . or does it?), so I increased my RAM to 384.

Tried the re-install again. Voila, it proceeded - to a point - took forever, BTW.

This morning, when I tried to boot that installation, I'm promted to register, but WinXP can't find my modem, then, I'm promted to enter my password (I own this computer, no one else ever uses it, it's on my in-home network, and I know the password cold). WinXP tells me that this password is not valid.

I sign onto the Windows website, check their FAQ, only to find that Windows doesn't support reseting or decoding (or breaking) of passwords, but, there is a link to someother site where, for $195 I can purchase a program that "may" decode my password for me (remember, I really do know my password on this machine).

I've posted a message asking MS Tech support for some guidance, but, given the vast amount of good advice I've gleaned from this board, figured I'd ask here as well.

My sytem is operational, and most of my data resides on non-system discs, so, I suppose, if it were absolutely the only way out, I could wipe my system disc clean and re-install each OS.

Hoping there is a less time-consuming option.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Caruso

Comments

Jameson_Prod wrote on 1/25/2004, 7:12 AM
It may not be the least time consuming but blowing off the whole hard drive and doing a clean install is probably best. XP does not do re-installs very well. I have heard many say that you should periodically do this anyway...that so much trash builds up on your system that it begins to slow it down. I recently did just that and found my system is much faster now. You can say I'm crazy but my renders are quicker also!

I'm sure others will chime in.

Good lcuk.
filmy wrote on 1/25/2004, 11:19 AM
This may not help but did you try to log onto the default admin screen? The will always be a default, "non-nukeable", administation user. Use that to log-in and reset/change/delete other users accordingly.

If you can't get to the admin log-in or you are getting the following error you might want to read this tech note from Microsoft. THe following is a hyperlink, so just click on it: The system could not log you on. Make sure your user name and domain are correct, then type your password again. Letters in passwords must be typed using the correct case.
Caruso wrote on 1/25/2004, 2:30 PM
So, if I wanted to try fussing around with the registry, would I use a (forget what they call 'em) start-up diskette in order to get far enough into my system to be able to edit the registry?

It's sounding more and more as though I need to start from scratch.

Thanks for the replies.

Caruso
TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/25/2004, 3:30 PM
I don't have XP, but could it be possible it wants to know the password for your OTHER XP install? This could especaly true if your other install it on the C: drive. And, if that's not the case, did you happen to use the same password in your other XP install? If so, you could go in the other XP install and write down all the passwords you used in it. :)

Also, if each XP install happens to be on different partitions, couldn't you just wipe one partition (the one with the bad password on it). You didn't say it was different partitions though.

Also, your password probley isn't in the registery. It's probley encoded somewhere.
BillyBoy wrote on 1/25/2004, 4:57 PM
Not sure this is your problem. so just throwing it out.

When you first set up XP originally it asks you to enter a password. That's probably what it wants now.

You running the home or pro version?

If the home version the password for Administrator by default in blank. So to get pass the password screen just hit enter when it asks for it. Of course if you did set a password then you need to know it.

If you have the pro version its different.

Try to log on as administrator which is super user account that can access all password protected accounts. Assuming you know your administrator password. There is no way to install XP without it, so at some point you or someone had to enter a administrator password.

To log on as administrator in XP Pro the boys in Redmond played a little trick since unless to tell it to Administrator isn't shown as a user on the log in screen for security reasons. No problem.

Just press Ctrl+Alt+ Delete TWICE right after one another which should get you to the log on to Windows box In the user field type Administrator (cap A only) and then your password you used during setup. If you forgot it, you're basically toast.

RBartlett wrote on 1/26/2004, 4:34 AM
There is a Linux based recovery boot floppy which will read or default the Windows password. Check you download the floppy that supports your version of XP.

Also there is a bug in XP that if you use a Win2k recovery console (buut option on the install CD), it will allow you to get a command line console without needing a password at all (unless you use the encryption file system).

Password fixer

If there is a hardware fault or a virus at work, this might not be a viable machine to recover until the problem is also cleared.
Caruso wrote on 1/26/2004, 4:29 PM
Thanks, BillyBoy. I'm not at home right now, but will try logging on as an Admin. I am running WinXpPro, and I do know my password, so, it should work.

Although it's not safe to assume, I do assume that this is no hardware/virus problem, since my other WinXPPro boot-up works fine, and, so does my Win98, all on this same machine.

I do appreciate all the replies.

Caruso