Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: zink08 on July 18, 2009, 11:09:18 PM
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I have a Dell desktop with Windows XP. When I turn on my computer, the Windows XP loading screen appears (with the blue loading bar), but then the screen goes black and never loads my desktop. My recovery disk boots and gives me the "Welcome to Setup" screen. When I hit ENTER to try to repair, it brings me straight to the screen that asks to create or delete partitions. If I hit "R" to recover, my Administrator password is no longer set to [blank] (in the past, I've just hit ENTER). I've also tried booting in VGA mode, Safe Mode, Safe Mode with the prompting screen, Debugging Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, etc, but it always ends up at a black screen.
I've read that there are ways to load Windows by copying and deleting system files using DOS mode within the "R" recovery console, but I can't get that far without first changing my admin password.
I realize formatting may be inevitable, but are there any tricks to either (1) change my admin password without loading Windows, or (2) repairing Windows with the recovery disk without clearing my C: partition? Do I have to delete partition C: to install a new OS on it? Or would that not allow me to access my files anyway? All I want to do is get my files off the drive before formatting, if possible.
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If that's all you want to do, I would recommend you get "Ghost Drive". It will save your data and allow you to reformat without losing your stuff. Although, you will need another computer just to get the software but I'm sure that task will be much easier for you. Just a thought.
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Wow, sounds like you have your very own Helen Keller simulator!
Sorry mate. Its a joke from another post I couldn't resist :p
www.helenkellersimulator.com
Now back to issue.
1. The password for Administrator is whatever was set as the user password when Windows was first installed/turned on. If you still cant get it there may be another way.
2. To back up your files grab the latest image of Ubuntu and burn it to a disk. Then just boot live without installing.
www.ubuntu.com
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OK,
(OK, I love the Helen Keller Joke!)
When your drive is having trouble like that it usually points to a BAD hard drive. The reason I say this is because Windows isn't finding the video drivers when it boots into the OS. Hard drives have like 3 years life usually, heat can play a major factor in dataloss from your HD, . . . the list goes on.
I say do a Scandisk if you can and use the -f option (Fix) and perhaps this will help.
If it were me I'd change the hard drive and reload Windows and be done with the problem.
Anyhow, good luck to all of you with PC problems. If your computer is like 4-5 years you'd be best buying a new one anyhow. PCs are quite cheap these days, Microcenter.com has some killer deals on complete refurbished system for like $299 that are quite the deal. (Oh, No I don't work for any of thse companies!)
Best Wishes to All of you and Best of Luck regardless of what ya decide;
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What is the Admin password ? ?
How did you manage to forget it ? ?
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I didn't have a password. I had several viruses and trojans that must have created one.
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I didn't have a password. I had several viruses and trojans that must have created one.
Have not heard this one...