Reset Administration Password

Question

I receive the following message when starting my computer   'Windows could not start because the following file is missing \system32\hal.dll.  Please re-install a copy of the above'   I am booting from the XP install so I can go to the recovery console and I am being asked for an administration password. I tried using the XP/WIndows password and it did not work. I also tried just hitting enter and it did not work.   Does anyone know of a way to reset the password outside of windows without reinstalling XP?

RoHe · Answer

What model PC?? Ron

jmwills · Answer

The default Admin password on ANY Windows install is the null (leave it blank) password.  You must have changed it.

jr2110 · Answer

I thought so also, but that is not the case. I did not load the OS myself and the machine has XP passwords, but neither worked. One thing I found out is (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308402)  'if Windows XP was originally installed from a Sysprep image, or if Sysprep 2.0 was run on the computer at one time. Sysprep.exe makes changes to the way that password keys are stored in the registry; these changes are not compatible with the Recovery Console logon routine. Note that the manufacturer of your computer may have used Sysprep to preinstall Windows XP on your computer.' - Thanks though-

jmwills · Answer

Sysprep in itself indicates that this is a corporate image or one that has been altered in some way and not a basic clean install, therefore the Admin account password has been changed form the default null password.

jr2110 · Answer

It is a dell 4550

Windows General

Reset Administration Password

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