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Author Topic: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password  (Read 9140 times)

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FML2009

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NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« on: September 22, 2009, 10:02:37 AM »
Hi guys,

Today I tried to boot up my laptop and was faced with a NTLDR missing scenario. I get the jist of how to overcome the problem (XP disk, repair...) but it seems that I can't go through the repair process because my Administrator's Password is unknown to me.

I'm the computer's only user and, to my knowledge, have not altered the password from my user password (yes, I have tried pressing "Enter" straight away at the prompt).

Anyway around this?

Thanks!

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2009, 10:05:50 AM »
Do a repair install (boot to the XP CD and choose the second repair option, allowing XP to essentially install on top of itself). This will fix the ntldr missing problem and will reset the admin password to blank.

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2009, 10:09:56 AM »
Allan,

I've tried this method but before the repair operation begins I'm prompted for a password. Could you detail a step-by-step guide? I may be doing this all wrong!

This is how I'm doing it:
      1.  Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
   2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
   3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
   4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
   5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.


    STEP #5 IS MY DOWNFALL


 6. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.

      copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
      copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

   7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2009, 10:18:27 AM »
As I said above, choose the SECOND repair option, not the first.

Geek-9pm


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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2009, 10:20:36 AM »
The topic starter should include some information about the brand and model of the laptop. Many laptop computers have different methods of doing a system repair. In Most cases, a system restore on a laptop is not the same as the repair feature in the retail version of Windows XP used on Desktop Computers.


Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2009, 10:22:22 AM »
Thanks Geek, but I'm fine not knowing. A repair install is the same no matter what.

To be honest, most of the time I couldn't care less what the specific specs are except in certain situations.

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2009, 10:26:16 AM »
As I said above, choose the SECOND repair option, not the first.

As the screen shows, option #1 is re-install ("set up Windows XP"), option #2 is repair.

Choose option #1?

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2009, 10:27:21 AM »
Are you booting to a retail XP CD?

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2009, 10:27:58 AM »
The topic starter should include some information about the brand and model of the laptop. Many laptop computers have different methods of doing a system repair. In Most cases, a system restore on a laptop is not the same as the repair feature in the retail version of Windows XP used on Desktop Computers.



I'm on some crunky old Medion 2000 on XP Pro.

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2009, 10:28:53 AM »
Are you booting to a retail XP CD?

It's an XP Pro disk, yes.

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2009, 10:31:38 AM »
And it's not a repair disc but an original XP CD? Then I'm not sure what you are looking at, but here are step by step instructions with screens to view: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2009, 10:33:47 AM »
And it's not a repair disc but an original XP CD? Then I'm not sure what you are looking at, but here are step by step instructions with screens to view: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm

Will I lose personal Data stored on my HDD. There's nothing special on there. Just curious!

And yes it's an installation disk.

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2009, 10:37:02 AM »
No. As long as you choose the repair installation it will simply install XP on top of itself (replacing all system files). All other data, programs and settings should remain intact. But of course there's never any harm in backing up any critical data in case you accidentally hit "format" during the process (which is hard to do, by the way, since you have to confirm twice).

FML2009

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2009, 10:44:35 AM »
No. As long as you choose the repair installation it will simply install XP on top of itself (replacing all system files). All other data, programs and settings should remain intact. But of course there's never any harm in backing up any critical data in case you accidentally hit "format" during the process (which is hard to do, by the way, since you have to confirm twice).

Ok, I'm seeing I have 3 partitions. My C drive is the boot one (BOOT NTFS), and I have the following options:  "ENTER=INSTALL, D=Delete".

I press enter on C and I get a warning that another OS is installed....press C to continue...now all my options read "format the partition using the NFTS/FAT file system/format the partition using the NFTS/FAT file system (quick)/leave current file system intact.

???

Allan

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Re: NTLDR problem, unknown administrator password
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2009, 10:48:35 AM »
Your screens should look like those in the link I posted. Did you see & select an option to repair the current Windows installation?