xp will not boot up

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Mayhem

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#27094 14-Oct-2008 11:52

Hi guys,

My brother decided to give his old computer to my neice, and in his wisdom created a user in her name then promptly deleted his wifes user name and now we can not get past that screen.

Is there anyway to change the start settings so the computer just boots up with out having to got to the user screen?

You help is appreciated.

I know that you believe that you understand what you think i said, but i am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what i meant!

nate

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#171274 15-Oct-2008 13:37

I believe there is. Delete all other users, set your niece's login with no password and Windows should log straight in automatically. Having no password for her username does make it impossible to login to that particular computer through Remote Desktop, but if you don't need to do this, you'll be fine.

I think you can also set this option using Windows Powertoys.

Nety

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#171302 15-Oct-2008 15:51

OK you have two different issues..

1st from what you are saying you now cannot log into the PC?
If correct you will need to boot off the XP install CD and run a repair of windows. Do not select the first "repair" option it has. Say that you want to install windows. It will then say that it has found an existing install of windows and ask if you want to repair it. This is the repair that you want to run. Dont panic it will take you though the install like it is a fresh install but it will not overwrite you programs you have etc. At the end of the install it will give you a chance to setup users. Setup an new user that you can login with.

2nd Yes you can setup auto login with XP. Once you are logged in put " control userpasswords2" into the run dialog box this will then open up a window where you remove the tick for making users login. When you apply it will ask for the details of the person that you want to autologon.

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38894

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#171483 16-Oct-2008 11:42

Nety: OK you have two different issues..

1st from what you are saying you now cannot log into the PC?
If correct you will need to boot off the XP install CD and run a repair of windows. Do not select the first "repair" option it has. Say that you want to install windows. It will then say that it has found an existing install of windows and ask if you want to repair it. This is the repair that you want to run. Dont panic it will take you though the install like it is a fresh install but it will not overwrite you programs you have etc. At the end of the install it will give you a chance to setup users. Setup an new user that you can login with.

2nd Yes you can setup auto login with XP. Once you are logged in put " control userpasswords2" into the run dialog box this will then open up a window where you remove the tick for making users login. When you apply it will ask for the details of the person that you want to autologon.

You want this person to re-install Windows over the top of it's existing installation to get past a lost password issue? This causes more issues than it's worth in most cases and this is why it isn't available on newer versions of the OS.

Either purchase an NT Password cracker online (Be careful which one you buy but there are some legitimate and safe ones which won't cost a lot and do the job very well) you just put the software onto a USB stick or Floppy disc drive, boot up the machine via the media with the password cracking software installed and it gives you the option to remove the password from the account, OR take it to a PC repair shop and ask them to do it for you instead, it might even cost the same amount of money as buying the software and doing it yourself.

Nety

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#171497 16-Oct-2008 12:15

Hollow:
You want this person to re-install Windows over the top of it's existing installation to get past a lost password issue? This causes more issues than it's worth in most cases and this is why it isn't available on newer versions of the OS.

No I do not want them to re-install. I want him to run a repair. Two different things. From my experience it generally does not cause any significant issues. Yes you will have to redownload any Windows patches but other then that it is a valid option.
And how do you mean it is not available on newer versions. The only newer version (Vista) has the same functionality. Improved yes, gone certainly not.

Purchasing a tool to crack in is an option however for a one off situation I think it is a bit expensive. IMHO of course.

If the OP is unsure about doing the repairs himself a shop may the best option. Although again will cost money Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

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#171504 16-Oct-2008 12:41

Was a bit hard to read that with all the code in the middle. :D

Your "Repair" as you call it is a re-install, the repair function on Vista is not the same feature in the slightest, the Vista feature is based on a system restore auto created, which XP should have had in it in the first place.

I personally and please note I said personally here it's only an opinion, which is what advice tends to be based on, is that the user should pay for someone to fix this issue, the other options run too much risk of breaking the computer and causing further problems, taking hours to fix, if fixable at all and then having to take it somewhere to be repaired anyway with the risk of losing all their data in the progress or having to pay even more money to try and recover it. Granted technical advice over paying for simple tasks is worth while if the user is technically savy or wants to learn how to be technically savy and either has little to risk, is willing to risk it or has backed up everything they wish to risk before performing the task.

Nety

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#171551 16-Oct-2008 15:10

Yeah sorry for all the code.. I have no idea how it got included in the post and then once it was in I could not remove it as it seemed to break edit.

Anyway I guess it comes down to what the OP can and is willing pay to get the problem sorted balanced against as you say their willingness to roll their own sleaves up as it were.
With this site I tend to take it that the people on here are willing to give it a go them self’s but I agree there is a risk.

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Mayhem

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#172203 20-Oct-2008 10:25

thank you for all your replies, but since i posted this i have found out that the computer is actually on windows 2000 or nt. i have been told i fix the issue with a recovery disk, but you have to sign in to make one and of course the user id is disabled and or deleted and i cant get into the silly thing.

I also can not start it in dos so i can even wipe it and start again..........sigh.

any help would be appreciated.

I know that you believe that you understand what you think i said, but i am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what i meant!

webup

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#172684 22-Oct-2008 08:19

control userpasswords2 route is what i would suggest for XP

Nety

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#172709 22-Oct-2008 10:09

Mayhem:
thank you for all your replies, but since i posted this i have found out that the computer is actually on windows 2000 or nt.

Which one? 2000 you can boot off the CD so do not need the disks. NT 4 you need the disks.