computer wont boot up or go to safe mode

[shashgo]

Basically what I want to do is to repair/recover my OS so that my system boots up again normally and I wont lose any applications that I have. Problem is when I put in my OS disk, I got to the stage where it asked me if want to do a fresh installl, or a repair install. I hit 'r' and it asks me for an administrator password which I have no idea of


How do I repair my stem

its a dell inspiron 2200 laptop

[Computer_Commando]

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install

[shashgo]

i saw that and the info there is good.  Question is when do you use a repair install and when do you use the recovery console?  And if you have to use the recovery console, how do you find out what the administrator password is?

[Allan]

If you want to do a repair install you need to go to the SECOND repair option. As you've already found out, the first repair option takes you to the recovery console, which will not help you.

[shashgo]

yes allan, I found out the painstaking way.  But then when is the recovery console used, and whenever it is, how does one know what the administrator password is.  I read on the net that you right click on my computer, go to manage, and then look for local users and groups under system tools and thats where the administrator password is listed, but there is no 'local users and groups' in the manage settings

[Allan]

The default is NO password - just press ENTER when asked for the password. And if you do the repair install it will insure the password is reset to blank.

[dahlarbear]

Question is when do you use a repair install and when do you use the recovery console?  And if you have to use the recovery console, how do you find out what the administrator password is?

1. When do you use...  It depends upon the problem.  You need to gather more "data" and research the results to determine which way to go.  In this case, I wonder whether you've missed or are ignoring a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

2.  Administrator Password.  For an "unknown" administrator password you:
     a.  Ask the owner of the computer.
     b.  Crack the password.
     c.  Reset the password (if it was not used to "encrypt" files).
     d.  Bypass the password.

3.  Which Operating System?  Is this Windows XP Home Edition, Professional, or Media Center Edition?

[shashgo]

allan:  Thanks,  I never thought to just press enter.  Ill try it.

dahlar:  There was a BSOD, but I cannot reproduce it.  This time the computer just hangs when I reboot.  Does the recover option do anything else that the repair option doesnt do, I mean why is the recover option even present if you c an do a repair and end up with a happy system?

It is winXP Professional edition

[Computer_Commando]

Repair Install will reinstall Windows without deleting any installed programs, however, it will require reinstalling all service packs and updates.

Recovery Console can do diagnosis and repair of hard drive file system/boot issues (fixmbr, fixboot, chkdsk).  Enter the Recovery Console and type Help.  See more here:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058