Administrators password in xp home

Question

I am trying to use the recovery console in windows xp home edition. I am prompted to give the administrator's password. I do not remember setting up the admin account with a password. If I try and enter nothing (as a default) it is rejected, as is the word "password" or any of the regular passwords I would use.

I cannot access anything on the computer as it boots to the welcome screen then when you select a logon it looks like it will logon but then "saves settings" and comes back to the welcome screen. I cannot logon to any of the accounts including the administrators. That is why I am trying the recovery console.

Am I out of luck on this? Does anyone know of a "backdoor" password?

If not, will I have to do a complete re-installation of xp?

Help! (And thanks for any replies.)

Denny Denham · Answer

baxjac,

You may be able to access Recovery Console using the floppy disk set which you can get from a link here but I don't know what steps in Recovery Console will enable you to log in with any existing account.

There is no "backdoor" password.

baxjac · Answer

Thanks, Denny.  I'll follow up on the link.

pattikake · Answer

I am having the same problem, any luck on fixing it.  Tried calling technical support - just get put on hold and then disconnected.  Figures I'd try here.   Thanks.

baxjac · Answer

Hi. Sorry to hear about your problems. I ended up using the Operating System Reinstallation CD. I did not use the "recovery console", it did not get me anywhere.

I believe I tried a re-installation (I think it was the first option on the menu once you got started, the recovery console was the second option). I figured I had nothing to lose since the system would not leave the welcome menu in any event.

The process worked. I had used "spybot" or "ad-aware" on my pc just before it "crashed". I think I somehow deleted a system file in that process. During the operating system reinstallation, the process kicked me back into the spybot or adaware software (I can't remember which I was using). Once there, I recovered the last batch of "spyware" I had deleted. The end result was that my system now operates ok. Still minor problems, but at least it can be used!

Hope this helps.

pattikake · Answer

I was told by the Dell 'Spyware Expert' to use the reinstallation disk but not told until later I had deleted my hard drive.  I cannot log on to anything.  I just get a black screen with a flashing hyphen after the blue Dell letters come up. Any suggestions?  Thanks

baxjac · Answer

You can try booting off of your reinstallation disk.  You hit one of the function keys right after you start the computer.  The screen should display 'F9 - setup' or something like that.  Once you have accessed that, you can allow the system to boot off of the cd.  If you can't get to that point, I would add a new post with your current problem.  Good luck.

stevencasey · Answer

baxjac,

Listen did you try to do that lavasoft fix with the wasadapter.exe file and get stuck at the admin password not working? That is where im at right now. You said you used the reinstallation disk but did you have to wipe the hardrive clean during that fix. Im trying to get it to work without doing a reinstall i need info that is on the hard drive before i do that.

baxjac · Answer

Hi. I did not use a Lavasoft fix, and I did not have to "wipe out" my hard disk to get everything back working.

My 7/22/2004 reply indicates the method I used in my particular case. It worked for me with no damage to the contents of the hard disk. I don't remember what my expectations were in that regard prior to trying the method I ended up using.

Good luck.

Windows General

Administrators password in xp home

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