Thanks for the responses -- first, I couldn't back up the files to a tmp directory unless I got in the first time and so I'd done the "no password, just press enter part and tried it a few times...
Well "sysprep" didn't do it for me -- I'm using XP Home edition (didn't figure I needed pro for home only use). I can't get back to the command prompt.
I've been researching it a bit. I have a couple options available right now --
1) download some repair hack tools to reset password then go for it.
2) full reinstall of XP from CD.
It's annoying -- I purchased this computer about a month and a half ago. I haven't downloaded anything or opened any e-mail attachments and chkdsk ran fine on it. I also have Norton System Works, etc... (which I'm not to thrilled with -- GoBack had 1 entry in it to "restore to" -- which entry? when it failed today...)
e.g. -- proper cautions taken and it still failed then the instructions on how to fix it don't work with OEM versions well, etc..
FYI -- gotta like an "end user tool" such as Recovery that takes you to a command prompt vs any tools... I'm familiar with such things but I'd imagine a black screen with just text and limited help.. that has to drive some less "old timer" types nuts.
Again, thanks for trying to help. I'll just do the reinstall gig and then have fun reconfiguring my software and the like.
As for the problems, I managed to get the system up and running, backed up my recent data and started installing my software and it started having problems installing...
Well, I figured, chkdsk it (showed clean) and, after all the problems with it and a clean backup of user data... I'd do a full reinstall with a fresh NTFS format vs "over the top" style.
Guess what -- "Physical Disks: Port 2 Error Occured(0)
Looks like one of the array drives developed an attitude so I guess I'll be on the phone with Dell to see about getting a replacement... You see the system is less than 2 months old with a nice little striped array going, which could easily explain a lot of problems when 1 drive has issues.
As to my comments -- they're about the Microsoft Recovery Console, not the Dell utilities. MS could use some help with that stuff IMO. I haven't had to do this kind of stuff in a while now.
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
July 16th, 2005 23:00
Have you tried leaving the password field blank (i.e. no password). Unless you changed it, the default is no password.
Steve
dunedin
2.7K Posts
0
July 16th, 2005 23:00
Log into the Main Administrator account
You can then change passwords
dunedin
2.7K Posts
0
July 16th, 2005 23:00
When you get back into XP the following will stop that happening again
"Recovery Console: Allow automatic administrator logon"
in Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Local Security Policy/Local Policies
(under Security Settings)/User Rights Assignments/Security Options.
If you have XP Home
I think the only way to fix it is with the Setup Boot Disks
KathyrnMartin
3 Posts
0
July 16th, 2005 23:00
Well "sysprep" didn't do it for me -- I'm using XP Home edition (didn't figure I needed pro for home only use). I can't get back to the command prompt.
I've been researching it a bit. I have a couple options available right now --
1) download some repair hack tools to reset password then go for it.
2) full reinstall of XP from CD.
It's annoying -- I purchased this computer about a month and a half ago. I haven't downloaded anything or opened any e-mail attachments and chkdsk ran fine on it. I also have Norton System Works, etc... (which I'm not to thrilled with -- GoBack had 1 entry in it to "restore to" -- which entry? when it failed today...)
e.g. -- proper cautions taken and it still failed then the instructions on how to fix it don't work with OEM versions well, etc..
FYI -- gotta like an "end user tool" such as Recovery that takes you to a command prompt vs any tools... I'm familiar with such things but I'd imagine a black screen with just text and limited help.. that has to drive some less "old timer" types nuts.
Again, thanks for trying to help. I'll just do the reinstall gig and then have fun reconfiguring my software and the like.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
July 17th, 2005 01:00
dunedin,
See this for XP Home Edition.
dunedin
2.7K Posts
0
July 17th, 2005 09:00
KathyrnMartin
3 Posts
0
July 17th, 2005 19:00
Well, I figured, chkdsk it (showed clean) and, after all the problems with it and a clean backup of user data... I'd do a full reinstall with a fresh NTFS format vs "over the top" style.
Guess what -- "Physical Disks: Port 2 Error Occured(0)
Looks like one of the array drives developed an attitude so I guess I'll be on the phone with Dell to see about getting a replacement... You see the system is less than 2 months old with a nice little striped array going, which could easily explain a lot of problems when 1 drive has issues.
As to my comments -- they're about the Microsoft Recovery Console, not the Dell utilities. MS could use some help with that stuff IMO. I haven't had to do this kind of stuff in a while now.