Back From the Dead

zippyjuan · 07-09-2003, 10:31 PM

I was accumulating a few problems on my PC and finally it just wouldn't boot anymore. I wanted to do a repair install on Win XP, but it said I needed to have an administrator password and I don't remember setting one up or if I did what it was. Is there a way to change/setablish an administrator password in XP? The only solution I could come up with was to do a new install of XP. Of course, I lost some personal files, but my programs are still on the harddrive. SO my second question is, what is the best way to deal with those? Do search and delete anything I can think of? Just re-install the programs- will that re-write them in the same space or create new ones? Any other way to re-establish links to them? I have only one HD but it has plenty of space on it- I was only using about 20gb out of 80. I have so far just re-installed the drivers- which I am sure I need. Thanks for the help!

zero2dash · 07-10-2003, 03:38 AM

Quote:

I wanted to do a repair install on Win XP, but it said I needed to have an administrator password and I don't remember setting one up or if I did what it was. Is there a way to change/setablish an administrator password in XP?

I believe the Administrator account properties are set up when Windows is installed, and after that point - there is no way to change the password. (I could be wrong though...) You can change the password after the installation for all the other accounts (users, etc.) but I think the Administrator account information is basically set in stone (so to speak) when the installation of the OS is complete.

Quote:

The only solution I could come up with was to do a new install of XP. Of course, I lost some personal files, but my programs are still on the harddrive.

So...then you don't need the answer to question #1 now? Eeergh...umm

Quote:

SO my second question is, what is the best way to deal with those? Do search and delete anything I can think of? Just re-install the programs- will that re-write them in the same space or create new ones? Any other way to re-establish links to them?

Ok, with what I think you're trying to say is that you have installed programs, but no start menu items for those programs, and no entries in Add/Remove programs...if that's the case, then you can either a) reinstall the programs using their installer files (the easiest solution) or b) redo your Start -> Programs menu, making up new shortcuts to those programs (long solution).

Either way - the source of this issue is that you have a brand new Registry with no program entries in it, which is why Windows can't find the programs (or even know they're there, basically).

Quote:

I have only one HD but it has plenty of space on it- I was only using about 20gb out of 80. I have so far just re-installed the drivers- which I am sure I need.

You could always partition your drive if you're concerned about losing data in the future; make (no less than) 2 partitions, 1 for the OS & programs, and 1 for everything else (all your personal files, documents, etc.).

I would personally tell you to trash Windows XP and use Windows 2000 but that's another thread altogether.

~~Cantacuzene~~ · 07-10-2003, 08:34 AM

If you dont recall putting in an administrator password, just leave it blank and see if that works. It happened to me, I was beating my head against the wall trying to remember what I put for it, then I randomly tried no passowrd and it worked.

zippyjuan · 07-11-2003, 01:42 AM

I was looking for the answer to #1 in case it happens again. As far as the other programs are concerned, I am using two tacts: re-installing the programs I have copies of and using SEARCH to try to find places where I can establish a shortcut for the others. So far, the only ones I can't save are ones I really didn't care that much about anyways. Demo games. I was surprised at some of the things that were still on there.

zippyjuan · 07-14-2003, 11:56 AM

Just an update- since the new install of XP I have found that it does not ask me for an administrator password anymore. I was not asked to set one up as part of the install. SO if I seriosly screw things up again I have a chance at fixing them. I also found the floppy from my WD HDD so maybe that will help too. Hopefully I son't need them agein (fingers crossed).

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07-09-2003, 10:31 PM	#1
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Back From the Dead I was accumulating a few problems on my PC and finally it just wouldn't boot anymore. I wanted to do a repair install on Win XP, but it said I needed to have an administrator password and I don't remember setting one up or if I did what it was. Is there a way to change/setablish an administrator password in XP? The only solution I could come up with was to do a new install of XP. Of course, I lost some personal files, but my programs are still on the harddrive. SO my second question is, what is the best way to deal with those? Do search and delete anything I can think of? Just re-install the programs- will that re-write them in the same space or create new ones? Any other way to re-establish links to them? I have only one HD but it has plenty of space on it- I was only using about 20gb out of 80. I have so far just re-installed the drivers- which I am sure I need. Thanks for the help! __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

07-10-2003, 08:34 AM	#3
~~Cantacuzene~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 8,700	If you dont recall putting in an administrator password, just leave it blank and see if that works. It happened to me, I was beating my head against the wall trying to remember what I put for it, then I randomly tried no passowrd and it worked.

07-11-2003, 01:42 AM	#4
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	I was looking for the answer to #1 in case it happens again. As far as the other programs are concerned, I am using two tacts: re-installing the programs I have copies of and using SEARCH to try to find places where I can establish a shortcut for the others. So far, the only ones I can't save are ones I really didn't care that much about anyways. Demo games. I was surprised at some of the things that were still on there.

07-14-2003, 11:56 AM	#5
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Just an update- since the new install of XP I have found that it does not ask me for an administrator password anymore. I was not asked to set one up as part of the install. SO if I seriosly screw things up again I have a chance at fixing them. I also found the floppy from my WD HDD so maybe that will help too. Hopefully I son't need them agein (fingers crossed).

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