dholl2000 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 After using some 5-star user rated registry cleaner I downloaded (free license) from a well known download website my WinXP Home system crashed, restarted then suggested I should repair installation with recovery disk as there is a error with [C:\Windows\System32\Config\System] file.Well, OK - I did this and repaired using my WinXP install/repair/recovery CD I got with my laptop.Then after repair/install I was prompted to create a new user(s).I entered a user name [user] then the repair restarted without prompting to create a password for [user].When WinXP restarted my WinXP booted to the login screen with only option to login as [user] or [guest], both password protected. When I try to login I get the error [account/domain does not exist].I then inspect the WinXP partition using a Linux distro and I can see all my previous user profiles and files are present as is all my original programs in [c:\Program Files]. I am unable to login as any of the previous users and unable to login as a user created after the reapir/install.Tried to login as administrator from safe mode but this is password protected but original password is not being accepted. I was never prompted to create a new password at any stage of the repair process.It is quite important that I can login again without having to format and re-install TiA - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Welcome to the Windows Forum.The first thing I would have tried after your system initially crashed, was a System Restore or boot into Last Known Good Configuration. This would most likely have restored your damaged registry.Of course this is too late now. I don't know how to restore your lost passwords; maybe someone else around here has some good idea? Of course if you have a full backup of your system, you can restore that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Have you tried logging in under any of the user accounts, [New/old] but leaving a password out, just hit the enter key instead. try this in both normal and safe mode. When trying safe mode choose 'safe mode with networking' if available as one of the choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dholl2000 Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Have you tried logging in under any of the user accounts, [New/old] but leaving a password out, just hit the enter key instead. try this in both normal and safe mode. When trying safe mode choose 'safe mode with networking' if available as one of the choices.Yes, I've tried this but same error: [account/domain does not exist]Is the users/passwords configuration easily configured in WinXP, for example from a Linux environment? Ideally, so that there are no users; only a default, auto login administrator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted July 19, 2007 Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Have you tried to login to the local computer rather than a domain name? Use the 'Administrator' account with the original password (default null password). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dholl2000 Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Have you tried to login to the local computer rather than a domain name? Use the 'Administrator' account with the original password (default null password).When logging in I am not connected to any network (LAN nor Internet). I am working locally on the laptop top with the broken WinXP. Tried all this and still same error. I think I am going to backup all user files and re-install as a last resort; TiA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Tried all this and still same error.Same error with the domain name? This means that you specify a domain name to login. Do not specify a domain name to login, but your local computer name. This way you should get a different error if you cannot login. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb2001 Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Well, first ill say:it feels good to be back from holiday :-)Second thing:It sounds like you have removed the users from the registry, and therefore might not even have a administrator account left, but try it anyways.When you install windows the first time, there is an administrator account created. This account should normally have a password, but its posible to create it without. so boot up in any config, you can boot up in.When you get the login screen - press "CTRL + ALT + DEL" twice! to get the "old school" login window, where you can delete the domain name, and select local computer, and then write either administrator or Administrator and no password, and see if you can login that way.If that doesn't work, and you can access the files with Linux, you might have to copy out the files you need, and reinstall... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Side note: You mention that you can log in as user or guest, both password protected.The guest account by default has no password, and according to Microsoft it cannot have a password. Of course there is a way to get around this, but I am curious why there is a password, if it is a repair install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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