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2981
April 5th, 2005 19:00
/windows/system32/config/system and administrator password
I've been getting the (seemingly) common /windows/system32/config/system error. I tried to follow the instructions found throughout this forum and on MS but no luck. Those instructions were to essentially copy that file, among others from the repair folder using the XP recovery console. I thought I successfully did that, but XP still won't load. When I tried going back in to the recovery console, it now asks for an administrator password, of which there never was one. Pressing enter or entering spaces doesn't work. I couldn't find any decent instructions on how to bypass this, although it sounds as if using start-up disks (which I need to download from MS) would work. My question is, if I use the Reinstall CD that came with my Dimension (does not offer a repair option, just clean install) can I load XP and create a new partition at the same time without deleting files? I imagine I'd have to use a different folder name. Is this the best route to go?
Any other thoughts?
Any other thoughts?
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Doctor D Mike
28 Posts
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April 5th, 2005 21:00
Hi,
If you have tried steps given in MS Links. then you are left with four options:
(i) System Restore: when system boots ..Press F8--> choose command prompt--> go to c:/windows/system32/restore/rstrui.exe
Choose some suitable date whenever prompted for i.e. when your system was running up & fine and it will restore the back up.
(ii) Recovery Console : Default administrator password is set blank in Dell., unless u have changed it. Just press Enter.
(iii) Install a new Parallel copy of XP that is almost like a clean install but without formating and deleting previos windows XP, and making a new windows installation folder whenever it ask for the location of windows say windows1 without disturbing previous windows folder.
(iv) Lastly you still have repair option . this you will get once you accept agreement during installation (Press F8 to accept Licence agreement) . Then you wil be ask for a fresh install or repair old copy.
Just to remind you Dell will not support you if the Hard disk is partitioned . So unless very urgent dont partition it. And there is no way where you can leave the previous files and create new partition. U will always have to back up previous files and then go for partition if required.
Dr.Mike
jac2010
2 Posts
0
April 6th, 2005 12:00
I was able to do a parallel install and back up most of the files. I'm assuming I should wipe out the hard drive and start clean so I don't have 2 OS on the same partition.
The files I'm not able to backup are my emails and contacts, as I never thought to create an archive folder. I use full Outlook. Is there a way to do this? Can I reinstall Office and somehow bring in the existing messages before I wipe the HD clean?
I also can't connect to the Internet using broadband, but I think that's user stupidity and unless it doesn't work when I start over, I'm not too concerned.
Doctor D Mike
28 Posts
0
April 7th, 2005 02:00
Seems a tough job now.
Try seraching these file extension either on your previous windows folder or other locations and check if lucky. If you find anything, try importing in your current outlook applications.