windows xp problem logging in

[vi0lentjuggal0]

here's my problem, two days ago i turned on my cpu and i clicked my user name to log on to my desktop and it says loading and shows my wallpaper for a second and then says logging off. i tried going into safe mode and the exact same thing occurs. so i've called the support lines and they say its a problem thats been happening to a lot of people and they don't know why yet but the guy told me the best way is to back my hardrive up at a computer store and then format and recover my hardrive, i don't wanna do that because it'll cost me money and time. ok so i then been researching the web and it seems to be a common problem and one guy resolved his by putting the windows xp installation cd in and choosing the repair option, sounds like a good idea right. well i tried it and the thing asks me for the administrative password, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT! i don't even remember making one when i started my cpu up a year or so ago. so i wanna try that repair thing but i can't get that password and i seem to be hitting a wall. please help me with fixing this or getting my password if i even made it.

[Craig Tucker]

Have you tried just pressing enter, for no password.

[vi0lentjuggal0]

yeah i tried that just now, it seems to get me past it. what do i do from there

[Craig Tucker]

Just follow the on screen instructions to repair you installation of XP.

[808smokey]

the support lines and they say its a problem thats been happening to a lot of people and they don't know why yet

Who told you that??? That's not normal for "a lot of people" to have happen.

If you do the "repair" you won't loose anything if you don't format. It only write over the windows folder and files. If you can slave it to another computer (yours or friends) and copy the stuff you want (mp3, movies, whatever) Then do a clean format and install. Or after you "Repair" the computer, save everything to CD-rom and then do a clean reinstall.

What kind of computer is it?

[stiltman]

Hmmmm. and no one said to make sure you download all the hot fixes first? If you do do a repair, don't connect it to the net without doing the hot fixes....see other threads (constant reboots...I got a virus..etc)

[vi0lentjuggal0]

[quote="808smokey"]

you can slave it to another computer (yours or friends) and copy the stuff you want (mp3, movies, whatever) Then do a clean format and install.

thats sounds like exactly what i need to do, is there a step by step insturctions somewehre i can read so i know how. my cpu is a dell dimension 4550

[808smokey]

thats sounds like exactly what i need to do, is there a step by step insturctions somewehre i can read so i know how.

basically,
Take your harddrive (the screwed up one) out of your computer
Disconnect the CD-ROMS Dvd-rw's etc.
Usually the Hard drive (HD) will be on one cable the CD-ROM's will be on the other. If not who cares just disconnect them and put the Bad HD on the other cable without the good hard drive.

Then turn on the computer.
If you have XP it will show a "New Device Found" popup. when it's done loading windows.

Then just cut & paste the data/info you want to keep to the good harddrive.

Then Put the bad one back in your computer and format it.
You can use Fdisk or the windows CD to do it.
Just do a FULL FORMAT, not a quick format. It should take 10-30 minutes depending on your CPU and HD size.
Then just follow the on screen instructions to install windows.

Here's a good link that will tell all you need to know for a clean install
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

[Treebeard]

Then Put the bad one back in your computer and format it.
You can use Fdisk or the windows CD to do it.
Just do a FULL FORMAT, not a quick format. It should take 10-30 minutes depending on your CPU and HD size.
Then just follow the on screen instructions to install windows.

Here's a good link that will tell all you need to know for a clean install
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

If he has a dell that is factory still then after he backed up his files, it would be easiest for him to just use the recovery disc that came w/ his dell. it will just ghost his computer back to its original state.

[stiltman]

If he has a dell that is factory still then after he backed up his files, it would be easiest for him to just use the recovery disc that came w/ his dell. it will just ghost his computer back to its original state.

if the HDD is the original and the partitions haven't been Fdisk or changed
I think all you have to do is go to C: in a cmd window and type something like "zigzag" or "zztop" can't remember which....I know it will whipe it all off just like ghost, since it's based on ghost, but uses a proprietary formatted partition that is not seen by windows/dos/linux/ghost

do a search on C: for zztop.bat

[Treebeard]

If he has a dell that is factory still then after he backed up his files, it would be easiest for him to just use the recovery disc that came w/ his dell. it will just ghost his computer back to its original state.

if the HDD is the original and the partitions haven't been Fdisk or changed
I think all you have to do is go to C: in a cmd window and type something like "zigzag" or "zztop" can't remember which....I know it will whipe it all off just like ghost, since it's based on ghost, but uses a proprietary formatted partition that is not seen by windows/dos/linux/ghost

do a search on C: for zztop.bat

I hate proprietary stuff. thats why i will always build my own PC's from scratch

[808smokey]

I never use "recovery CD's"

Whenever I get one that's a dell or gateway etc. I delete EVERYTHING, all partitions and load the OS without all the other crap that comes with a Recovery CD.

Recovery CD's don't do a "real" format.

From my experience Loading windows over windows again and again doesn't work out to well.