They say, "If you can not log on to Windows XP, download the necessary files, create the appropriate Setup disks for floppy boot installation, start your computer with the Setup disks, and then log on to Recovery Console..." so maybe doing so might help you even though it's not exactly what you want to do.
I've actually been down this road on my daughter's Dell, but it was Recovery Console that I needed to get into and couldn't. The floppies got me where I needed to be, but her system was beyond repair. Before reformatting and reinstalling, I put her hard drive into my old, old Dell [Win95] and using a download to enable Win95 to access her much-bigger-than-95-could-handle disk [no clue what that download was today] was able to get all her files via network to my new Dell.
It is looking for the
Administrator password. This is for the system administrator account, not a named administrator account. Dell does not assign a password to that account. By default it should be null (blank) but because sysprep is used for Dell systems, in many cases it is not. See
this.
If you can boot to Windows you can reset that password as described
here.
What is the Recovery Console, and how do I find if it is installed on my HD? I guess I run into the Recovery Console as I try a repair reinstall of XP. but does this Recovery Console also exist within XP itself? CAn I access the Recovery Console from..say....the Control Menu? Where is it?
OK, thanks. I was able to get the hotfix from Microsoft ( for free ) and it did fix that Administraztot password problem. However, I discovered it is only necessary to mess with the Recovery Console if you are doing a manual recovery - the automatic recovery sidesteps this process ( and the Administrator password fiasco) which is why I did not encounter this problem before.
I did the automatic recovery, but it did not fix my problems as follows:
1. Upon startup, I get the new hardware install notification that says I have a new printer. I do not, but this wizard will try to install a new printer to no avail. In the end, it always says the software install failed. I have no problem using my printer. Upon each startup, I just cancel the wizard and the error messages.
2. My CD-ROM drives only works upon startup. After I even open a tray, XP no longer recognizes the drives ( never recognizes my floppy drive) and I have to reboot the system to use the CD drives. The floppy is always unusable.
3. I cannot use disc defrag in normal mode. It only works in Safe Mode operation.
I installed a second HD with a fresh XP installation. When I boot from that HD. I have none of these problems.
ANy suggestions how I can fix these ankle-biting problems? XP is still usable, but these issues are annoying.
Interestingly, I, too, am having similar problems. Can't print or fax or network. Can do internet and email and CDs and floppy, but have no reliable help system [where the wheels first began falling off]. And every time I boot, printer installation begins and fails.
My problem there is that the RPC [remote procedure call] service is broken, but you can't stop or restart it. I either get that message or one saying Spooler is not running [and it depends on RPC, like so many other services, like fax]. No clue how to fix it.
If "broken" RPC is also a problem you're having, DO keep us posted if you fix it!
Meanwhile, yesterday I ordered Powerquest Partition Magic 8 [and will patch to 8.01] and Acronis True Image 8.0 partition backup tool. I'm taking charge of this pc, for better or worse. [And yes, it CAN get worse. In fact, I just recovered from a BSOD. Hurry mailman!]
I have little doubt that registry cleaning software helped me get myself into this fix. I didn't have to download it, or run it, but I needed those help files. Guess I'll have 'em within a few days, one way or other.
But if you have a 2nd drive and it boots OK, why not copy what documents and settings you need over to it and let it go from there? And whichever programs don't work, install on the new drive?
You could later, if necessary, clone the new drive and make the old drive be identical. Problem solved.
But it's late and maybe I'm not thinking clearly enough. And I've not ever done ANY of this. Just read about it. About all you can do, since Dell and Microsoft are about as helpful as an anchor on a 10-speed bike.
Dave Slomer
78 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 15:00
Try just hitting Enter.
Try hitting Space, then Enter.
Try ADMIN, ADMINISTRATOR, NIMDA, PASS, PASSWORD, DROWSSAP, SSAP, ad infinitum...
Maybe the guy saved the password on a "password reset" floppy, but I don't know it that applies here.
Microsoft's tip at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308402 may apply, although it specifically mentions this failed attempt in terms of Recovery Console.
They say, "If you can not log on to Windows XP, download the necessary files, create the appropriate Setup disks for floppy boot installation, start your computer with the Setup disks, and then log on to Recovery Console..." so maybe doing so might help you even though it's not exactly what you want to do.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 15:00
It is looking for the Administrator password. This is for the system administrator account, not a named administrator account. Dell does not assign a password to that account. By default it should be null (blank) but because sysprep is used for Dell systems, in many cases it is not. See this.
If you can boot to Windows you can reset that password as described here.
snapplelips
45 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 18:00
What is the Recovery Console, and how do I find if it is installed on my HD? I guess I run into the Recovery Console as I try a repair reinstall of XP. but does this Recovery Console also exist within XP itself? CAn I access the Recovery Console from..say....the Control Menu? Where is it?
Thanks.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 19:00
No, you can add it to your boot menu with the procedure here.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 19:00
This Dell document describes how to utilize the Recovery Console.
snapplelips
45 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2005 19:00
snapplelips
45 Posts
0
August 4th, 2005 01:00
Dave Slomer
78 Posts
0
August 4th, 2005 03:00
Interestingly, I, too, am having similar problems. Can't print or fax or network. Can do internet and email and CDs and floppy, but have no reliable help system [where the wheels first began falling off]. And every time I boot, printer installation begins and fails.
My problem there is that the RPC [remote procedure call] service is broken, but you can't stop or restart it. I either get that message or one saying Spooler is not running [and it depends on RPC, like so many other services, like fax]. No clue how to fix it.