Computer won't boot

[JesseJ1935]

Grandson's computer, a three to four year old Evesham which is getting past it.

Windows XP Pro.

The computer starts up and goes to the first couple of boot screens then the next screen says the computer was not switched off properly and gives various boot options, i.e. Safe Mode and Boot normally at last good configuration. It doesn't matter what is selected, it just goes through the whole process again.

I have tried booting from the CD without success, the same happens.

I am now told that a wrong password was entered and the computer locked up afterwards.

If this is the cause how can I clear all the passwords, there are at least three on it as it is used by three different people.

I've looked through BIOS, which I can get into, and can't see anything in there to help.

If I remember right, one way is to take the battery out for a few seconds. Another involves moving jumpers on the Motherboard, but which ones?

Any help will, as always, be greatly appreciated.

[trackrat]

This might help as I have never tried it.

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.

Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:

Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.

Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click "Prevent a forgotten password".

This will initiate a wizard.

Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.

Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.

Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.

Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place

How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk

Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose a new password to use for your account.

[JesseJ1935]

Thank you trackrat. Perhaps I didn't make myself plain enough to start with, I get to 2 (on your list) where it comes up 'press any key' which I do, and the screen promptly goes back to Boot to Last Good Configuration. It will not boot from the CD. Before anyone asks, it is a genuine CD and it is bootable, I have used it before when I upgraded the computer from ME.

Since posting I have been to the Microsoft site and downloaded Floppy Boot Discs. The computer booted from these up to, and including, the sixth disk. It then came up with a C prompt and the message to type in EXIT to continue. I done this and back to square one. Did I misunderstand the message to type EXIT to continue? Should I have typed in something else instead? If so, what?

[Scarecrow Man]

You can download any bootdisk from here.

Windows XP requires 4 floppy disks.

[madboy33]

Remove CMOS battery for 30 seconds and then try it

[JesseJ1935]

Thank you all for your replies.

Ended up by downloading boot disks and going from there. Couldn't get the Repair option to do anything nor could I access the Recovery Console. Anyhow, eventually gave up trying and formatted instead with the help of the aforementioned boot disks. Result: daughter; grandson and granddaughter lost everything of course (it was mostly a load of rubbish) but computer now up and running again coupled with a very strong warning, which will soon be forgotten, not to download anything. As I could not fathom out, either from them or the suggestions received, what the cause was I strongly suspect it was something one or other had downloaded. We shall never know but by reformatting it has done it the world of good, its much faster than it was just for starters.

Thanks again.

[rong]

Have you loaded some protection, and told them to keep it up to date?

[JesseJ1935]

Yes, of course. Namely AVG; Zone Alarm; AdAware and SpyBot just to be going on with. It also has AOL's Spyware programme.