Problem formatting XP Home

[lalloo]

I am trying to format the hard disk on my Windows XP Home, but getting an error. Upon booting the system from Windows XP CD that came with the computer, it keeps asking me for administrator password (in Recovery Console). Since I do not have any admin password set, I simply hit enter but it doesn't let me go through ("invalid password" error). According to a help page on Microsoft site, it is either because SAM database is missing or damaged. Can anyone direct me as to how I can find out if the SAM database is missing (or damaged), and how to create/fix one? Thanks a lot.

[bildos]

try this http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...on_tric k.htm to restart Your passwords. .

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by lalloo

I am trying to format the hard disk on my Windows XP Home, but getting an error. Upon booting the system from Windows XP CD that came with the computer, it keeps asking me for administrator password (in Recovery Console). Since I do not have any admin password set, I simply hit enter but it doesn't let me go through ("invalid password" error). According to a help page on Microsoft site, it is either because SAM database is missing or damaged. Can anyone direct me as to how I can find out if the SAM database is missing (or damaged), and how to create/fix one? Thanks a lot.

You would be far better off performing a 'clean install' of XP, as opposed to simply formatting the existing partition, IMO. Naturally, as you will be deleting the existing partiton, you should back up any important data first: -

Clean Install Windows XP