[Summit]

This is a very strange problem...I have a WINXP Pro computer and the power supply died. After replacing it, I can't get into WinXP! When I start the computer I get to a Blue Screen and a Box titled "Windows Logon". In the box are my name as the User and a 4 letter password(asterisks). Then the following message appears in another box: "The system could not log you on. Make sure the user name and the domain are correct then type your password again. Letters in passwords must be typed using the correct case."

I have never had a password, I am the only user and never needed one. This box pops up even when I try via "safe mode". I have tried to use a couple of "Password Recovery" programs, but I don't see any name or password. I have SATA drives so many of the programs won't work. I also tried a "Repair Install", but the same box pops up.

This is driving me crazy! I am a somewhat knowledgeable user, but I can't find a fix for this.

I hope someone has an answer. Please Note: I am not trying to discover a password, or hack anything, I am only trying to get into my own machine.

Thanks!
Jim

 

[ksteiger]

Have you tried restoring the default BIOS settings? It appears that your PC is trying to boot from a network. Check the boot order, as well.

 

[Summit]

Thanks for the suggestions, but they didn't work...I reset the BIOS and looked for evidence of a LAN boot, but couldn't find any. I find it strange that Windows can start to load, obviously from the "C" drive, and then it asks to connect to a domain that never existed?
Again, thanks for the help. I am almost to a point of a reinstall, but I'll try and be a little patient.
Thank you!
Jim

 

[ksteiger]

I'm sorry you don't have a fix yet, Jim. Good luck and please post back if you figure it out -- we could all use an education.

Kevin

 

[Summit]

Problem Solved!

I was finally able to solve my problem. Apparently, when my power supply fried it zapped some data because winxp thought there was a password where there was none, and also it seemed to "lose" the Administrator account.

As I was preparing to reinstall winxp I decided to move a bunch of files for safekeeping. I had previously set up winxp on another drive in the same box in order to try some other recovery methods. I noticed that I had a folder marke "Registration Back Up" that was dated 2003. However, it had a "SAM" file in it which I moved into my machine under Windows\system32\config.
When I booted I got the same error message as before, but now when I tried the Administrator account, it worked!
Once I was in, I changed the password on my main account and I was back in business.
I am not sure what Registry Backup program I used, but I am very happy I did.
Good Luck to All!
Jim