XP looking for login password that I never set!

[trotter]

Help!

I recently installed windows XP service pack 2 from an update CD they mailed to me, but it caused the performance of the laptop to slow in a big way so I uninstalled it.

I did this successfully, but when I rebooted the machine, its now asking me for a login password!! I never ever set one of these so I have no way now of getting into my desktop. I have really important stuff on it that I hadnt yet backed up and Im very very worried.

I cant boot into safe mode either .. same problem. It asks for the password to my profile (The only one set on the machine) or the admin password. Ive never set either!

I'll be so grateful for any help...
Thanks a lot.
Trotter

[Overclocked Doc]

Have you tried clicking "enter" without using a password?
You might also try hitiing crtl + alt + del twice at the password box and see if that allows access.

[vidster]

The default password is Admin. It's worth a try!

[trotter]

Yeah I tried all of the above Is there any way of retreiving the data if I have to reinstall windows??

[vidster]

If i remember right, you can do a repair install without loosing any files.

[trotter]

Will it let me access the files though if windows is password protected?

[vidster]

I may be a little out of my depth here as i have not had to do a repair install but i believe a repair install will reset all settings to default without loosing any files.

[trotter]

The error message I get no matter what password I put in is :


"The system cannot log you on due to the following error: The parameter is incorrect "

[F_Porsche]

So it's windows problem, not a password problem.
Follow vidster's advice and do a Reinstall.
If it was an incorrect password, windows would have said something like:
"Did you forget your password? You can view the Security Question to remind yourself of the password."

[trotter]

The repair install worked fine... I got my stuff back. Thanks a lot to you all!

[cuteperv]

try if u can back up your files in Command Prompt Mode.
Boot your computer in command prompt and copy all the important stuff to a safe place, then reinstall.