Registry error, corrupt, Recover fails

When that is selected it asks for the Administrative Password

 

Just try the enter key. By default, unless you set one, there is no password set.

 

If that does not work, then use the link below.

 

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

I should have asked what is your system model and what OS are you using?

Well, that didn't help at all but thank you so much for the response.

 

I tried the enter key, tried several old passwords, tried space then enter.  Nope, it isn't going to let me in and I know I never set a password.

 

I read the article but my system won't even start the recovery process, it gets to the screen to select the windows version to be recovered, select it and then it goes immediately to 'type administrator password and hit enter'.

 

 

This is silly, but did you do a diagnostics on your system?   During initial bootup tab F12 and select diagnostics.  It sounds a little bid like a terminal issue since you mention electrical problems.

 

Yes, If all the hardware checks out, then reinstall XP. I know, if you are not able to recover you data, then you may have no other choice.

 

Use this link to help on the reinstallation of the OS and the device drivers. 

 

Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

 

Bill

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&journalid=4F1F82483DC811DBAE564F9328EE04A4&l=en&s=gen

oops, I should have stated such.  I have a Dell Dimension 8200 running Windows XP Home, the warranty and extended ran out in April of this year.  It was purchased in April 2002 and has never given any problems until the electricity flashed for a split second and then the surge protector didn't do it's job.  The registry got zapped (corrupted) and I can't even get into safe mode.  A good friend and computer guru has it now and the only possible solution that he can find is to backup the data files and reformat.  He was hoping that the password was set by Dell for this type of problem, but a long 2 hour conversation with them assured me that just isn't the case. 

 

Thanks so much for trying though, it is appreciated!  :smileyhappy:

Bob removed the hard drive, ran all the diagnostic tests, scandisk, defragged and the only problem is the registry being corrupt.  He told me he could back up all the data with no problem, however the biggie is that I have used 40 gigs of a 120 gig hard drive.  No step for a stepper mind you but I really don't want to spend the next two or three weeks reinstalling software programs.  The data is very important to me so I suppose the upside is that I am now buying an external hard drive so that I can safely store my data in an off chance this happens to me again.

 

The thing that really bites is that I know I never set a password for the Administrator, I have no need for it as I am the only user with no reason to.

 

Ok, I will quit my belly aching now and will let you know here if and when it gets back to normal.

 

Thanks so much for the imput!!!