How do I backup everything if I can't even get the operating system to work. Any help would be appreciated. TIA

Have you asked your questions over at the forum on geekstogo.com?

or at majorgeeks.com?

IQ70 said:GeorgiaBulldawg said:Have you asked your questions over at the forum on geekstogo.com?

or at majorgeeks.com?


You get paid by those forums?

What kind of question is that?

IQ70 said:GeorgiaBulldawg said:IQ70 said:GeorgiaBulldawg said:Have you asked your questions over at the forum on geekstogo.com?

or at majorgeeks.com?


You get paid by those forums?

What kind of question is that?


Try doing the same thing in the HD forum and post links to other deal sites your question will be answered

I still do not get your drift? I gave OP two links to dedicated computer forums to try to get answers to his questions. What is wrong with that?

sharem said:How do I backup everything if I can't even get the operating system to work. Any help would be appreciated. TIAGo to the first sticky in this forum. Follow maddiebeagle's advice on how to recover files from your broken PC

The instructions on how to remove malware from your PC are linked in the first sticky. However it is often faster and easier to just wipe and re-install. (And safer, given the difficulty of removing rootkits)

"I can't run Windows System Recovery b/c the admin password is not being recognized."

from the original install cd? i am not sure its a virus, especially because a Dell service tech said that it was...
a week and a half ago, a coworker had the same thing happen with her inspiron 1100, except i didn't bother trying admin password
just ran chkdsk off the cd repair utility (i think thats what i did anyway i forget) and its working
mentioning as they also had symantec installed... with pretty recent updates also
i guess its still working... if it wasn't i know she would be complaining?
good luck, hope this helps

I know you said you called Dell, but did you try calling Microsoft for the password help? Might be worth a try?

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.