I have a similar problem, i am using Vista home premium and one and only profile is corrupted, i have to start up my computer in safe mode (which i am using now) but do not know how to fix the problem. Microsoft support say to add a new account then transfer files over however when i try to add a new account in safe mode nothing happens, can you help me?
what happens when u try to login in the admin account that u have created??? do u get the same error message?
Any subsequent accounts I now create give the same message and they have no associated profiles to go with them whether they are admin or standard accounts.
In researching my problem I came across a few reports of ahidden admin account in Vista. There are probably a lot of posts about it but here is one link.
This may enable you to create a new user and use that to log on again in order to create a new user account and copy the profile, but if like mine it doesn't then it might mean a complete install (which is what I am trying to avoid, but with two working admin accounts I can at least use thePC). Hope this does help.
And i've copied the page in this reply. Mine was #2 scenario. all is working fine now. you might want to print this page and keep it with your laptop paperwork. that's what i'm doing, since i'm guessing it'll happen again sometime down the line.
Also, as a side note, be sure your system is set up to do regular restore points!
Hope this helps.
INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to use the System Restore feature to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account.
MORE INFORMATION
If you cannot log on to Windows Vista, you can use the Windows Vista System Restore feature.
You may be unable to log on to Windows Vista in the following scenarios:
• Scenario 1: You recently set a new password for the protected administrator account. However, you do not remember the password.
• Scenario 2: You type the correct logon password. However, Windows Vista does not accept the password because the system is corrupted.
• Scenario 3: You delete a protected administrator account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
• Scenario 4: You change a protected administrator account to a standard user account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.To use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account, follow these steps.
Note To do this, there must be a System Restore point at which the logon was successful.
1. Insert the Windows Vista DVD, and then restart the computer.
2. When you receive the following message, press any key:
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
3. Set the following preferences, and then click
Next: •
Language to install •
Time and currency format •
Keyboard or input method
4. Click
Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click
Next.
5. Click
System Restore, and then click
Next.
6. Click the restore point that you want to use, and then click
Next.
Note Click a restore point that will return the computer to a state where the logon is successful. After you use the System Restore feature, reinstall any programs or updates that may be removed. You will not lose any personal documents. However, you may have to reinstall programs. You may also have to reset some personal settings.
7. Confirm the disks that you want to restore, and then click
Next.
8. Click
Finish, and then click
Yes when you are prompted.
9. When the System Restore process is complete, click
Restart to restart the computer. 10. After the computer restarts, click
Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully.
11. Use an appropriate method to log on. For example, log on by using an older password, or log on by using another computer account.After you log on, you must follow additional steps, depending on the scenario that you experience.
Additional steps for scenario 1 1. After you log on, change the password for the protected administrator account. 2. After you change the password, restart the computer. Make sure that you can log on by using the new password.
Additional steps for scenario 2 1. After you log on, make sure that each user account can log on by using the appropriate credentials. 2. Change the password for the user account that cannot log on.
Additional steps for scenario 3 1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account. 2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account. Then, delete the older protected administrator account that was restored.
Note For safety reasons, do not use the restored protected administrator account.
Additional steps for scenario 4 1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account. 2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account. 3. Change the old protected administrator account to a standard user account.
APPLIES TO • Windows Vista Home Basic • Windows Vista Home Premium • Windows Vista Ultimate • Windows Vista Business • Windows Vista Enterprise • Windows Vista Starter
moinak.saha
6 Posts
0
April 27th, 2008 05:00
hi
what happens when u try to login in the admin account that u have created??? do u get the same error message?
RobKettrick
2 Posts
0
April 27th, 2008 12:00
I have a similar problem, i am using Vista home premium and one and only profile is corrupted, i have to start up my computer in safe mode (which i am using now) but do not know how to fix the problem. Microsoft support say to add a new account then transfer files over however when i try to add a new account in safe mode nothing happens, can you help me?
4D
4 Posts
0
April 27th, 2008 19:00
Any subsequent accounts I now create give the same message and they have no associated profiles to go with them whether they are admin or standard accounts.4D
4 Posts
0
April 27th, 2008 19:00
Hello RobKettrick
In researching my problem I came across a few reports of ahidden admin account in Vista. There are probably a lot of posts about it but here is one link.
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?s=8073a252959207edcf5b369ff4df057a&showtopic=537806&st=0
This may enable you to create a new user and use that to log on again in order to create a new user account and copy the profile, but if like mine it doesn't then it might mean a complete install (which is what I am trying to avoid, but with two working admin accounts I can at least use thePC). Hope this does help.
Shindo
95 Posts
0
April 30th, 2008 04:00
try this too......... a system restore works as well
4D
4 Posts
0
May 8th, 2008 18:00
Well it's fixed but not with a restore, the only way was to format the disc and reinstall the OS from the Dell image. Thanks for the responses anyway.
lvharleygal
1 Message
0
September 25th, 2008 23:00
I experienced the same problem. I found the answer on the Microsoft website.
This is the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940765
And i've copied the page in this reply. Mine was #2 scenario. all is working fine now. you might want to print this page and keep it with your laptop paperwork. that's what i'm doing, since i'm guessing it'll happen again sometime down the line.
Also, as a side note, be sure your system is set up to do regular restore points!
Hope this helps.
MORE INFORMATION
You may be unable to log on to Windows Vista in the following scenarios:
Note To do this, there must be a System Restore point at which the logon was successful.
Note Click a restore point that will return the computer to a state where the logon is successful. After you use the System Restore feature, reinstall any programs or updates that may be removed. You will not lose any personal documents. However, you may have to reinstall programs. You may also have to reset some personal settings.
Note For safety reasons, do not use the restored protected administrator account.
APPLIES TO • Windows Vista Home Basic • Windows Vista Home Premium • Windows Vista Ultimate • Windows Vista Business • Windows Vista Enterprise • Windows Vista Starter