Need to reinstall windows xp, but can't log in?

Question

I need to reinstall windows xp, but when I try and log in I automatically get sent back to the login screen saying it could only log me in as a default profile. I tried loading my xp cd, but it doesnt load, even trying to push f12. I wouldn't mind getting a chance to log in to backup a couple files, but right now just being able to sign in has much more weight to it for me. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

There are a couple of things you can try:



A. Boot into safe mode.

-Shut down your computer completely.

-Turn the power back on.

-After the BIOS splash screen (where you are told you can hit F12 to enter setup), hit the F8 key repeatedly.

-You will see a black screen with white text that is asking you how to boot windows. use the arrow keys to highlight SAFE MODE. hit enter to select it.

-You will see a ton of white text scroll down the screen with a huge list of file paths. This is normal. It may take longer to boot into safe mode than into normal windows. This is also normal.

-When you get into safe mode everything will look weird. The resolution will be set to minimum and "SAFE MODE" will show in all four corners of the desk top. this is normal.

-Back up the files you need and proceed with windows installation by booting from the CD. You may have to adjust the boot sequence in the BIOS. Consult your computer manufacturer's manual, or your motherboard manufacturer's manual for instructions on how to do this. You could also try to initiate the install in safe mode, by I have never had a need to try this so I'm not positive it will work.



B. Use Knoppix to bypass Windows security. Use this if you are not able to boot into safe mode.

-Go to http://www.knoppix.org/

-Click downloads. At the bottom of the page you will see download locations within the United States. Use those as you will get better speeds.

-Use a CD burning program to burn the disc image you just downloaded. You can do a search for Nero and download a trial version for free if you dont already have a burning program.

-insert the Knoppix CD you just burned into the bad computer.

-Again, you may have to adjust the BIOS boot sequence to boot from the CD.

-Your computer will display strange new things... from a strange new operating system. Knoppix loads directly from the CD into the RAM and does not damage your hard drive. Since knoppix is your operating system, you will no longer be required to enter in any windows passwords. You will have free reign to backup what you want. USB thumb drives and hard drives will work in Knoppix.

-A VERY nice feature of knoppix is that every time you reboot... you get a brand new, freshly installed, operating system. This is a great way to play with Linux without commiting to anything. If you destroy somthing... reboot and your back to normal :).

-Once finished, boot to the windows CD and reinstall windows.

Answer 2

Try changing the boot order on your computer. To do this just repeatedly press F8 or DEL when the computer is powering on and this will take you to the BIOS. From there, navigate around until you find the boot devices, set your CD Drive as the first then save and exit. This will hopefully go into the windows setup when you restart your computer. Just make sure when you have reinstalled windows to go back into the BIOS and change the Hard Disk Drive to #1 in the boot order.

Answer 3

Get a bootable ubuntu cd or burn one from a spare or friends computer. This way, you'll be able to mount the partition after shutting down properly. Everything will be located in "c:\documents and settings\username\my documents"



Make sure what you downloaded ISN'T a virus, trojan or malware.



Consider using Ubuntu instead of XP if you keep getting it recked, you'll find it's allot faster and better. You'll get used to it, it's open and free.



Once you've backed everything up, shove the windows xp cd in, reboot and when you get the "press any key to boot from cd", hit a key except ESC and it'll boot from it.



You'll have to skip repairing windows and do a clean install (when you get to the format menu, use NTFS - Quick, it'll save you hours of waiting) and then you'll just have to put all the software you backed up right back on your pc. Don't forget to download AVG, Kaspersky or AVAST! and go **** that mcafee and norton, they're BS and hog/takeover system resources.



If the BIOS doesn't let you boot from the CD or you don't get that text, enter setup and change the boot order to this:



1. USB floppy

2. USB cd

3. USB hdd

4. floppy (some do not have this option)

5. CD

6. HDD or IDE1



This way, any usb drive you want to boot off will be seeked first, any CD's and HDD's will follow BEFORE your internal IDE hard disk.

Answer 4

Page_Faults... commonly advise Hardware failure... On uncommon social gathering it may be driving force incompatiblity... even nonetheless as you reported the risk-free mode supplies BSOD so i'm gonna say hardware failure... i might examine the hard drive first Then the ram... eliminate all pointless enjoying cards... Like your instant community enjoying cards 2d video card community enjoying cards...Unplug all your drives different than basically that demanding force.... try hard drive on yet another workstation because of the fact the boot.. if it works it is not a hard drive failure in case you get the comparable message then it rather is the hard drive.. in case you don't get the message drop all the way down to a million stick of ram Boot workstation comparable situation swap out the different stick?

Answer 5

If you can log into the computer at all through the default profile or even the guest account (type in 'guest' as username) then you should still be able to get to all of your documents to back them up.

Go to C:/Documents and Settings then select your username and find anything you need, your documents should be in My Documents

Answer 6

went your go to start up keep tapping F10 . some of the xp has a recovery on there. good luck.