Solved: WinXP Startup Password Dialog big problem!

My laptop W/XP presented a password dialog on startup or return from hibernation. It asked for a password (pw). I do not use a pw. I always hit enter, and W/XP began; no problems. Then I thought to improve things by checking Tech Support Guy's forums. Searching, I found a 2006 reply to my question which advised:

"run cmd > control userpasswords2 > ( ">" means enter)"

A dialog box appeared with a check in a box for "User must enter password". I unchecked the box. Then enter.

I restarted full of hope! After a short while, the familiar dialog box appeared "Log On to Windows". In the user name box, the word "Administrator" appeared, as usual. The dialog is slightly grayed out and super-imposed is another dialog which says "Unable to log you on because of an account restriction." When I click the "OK", the "Unable..." box disappears and "Log On to Windows" is fully presented. When I click "OK" again with no password, the second dialog reappears, and so on. All I can do is click "Shut down".

So what do I do now? I cannot use my computer.

Anyone?

 

Okay let's try this. Insert your win xp cd and do as follows:
1. Restart hit f12 and select option to boot from CD and allow windows to setup
2. When finished a blue screen appears: Press r to enter the Recovery Console
3. At the command prompt type: cd system32
4. Then type: copy userinit.exe wsaupdater.exe
5. Then type: exit

Reboot normally. You should now be able to logon. NEXT!!!
Once you're logged in go to Start> Run > and type: regedit
When registry editor appears look for the "Userinit" key in: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\

Modify the entry: C:\WINDOWS\System32\wsaupdater.exe,

so that it reads: C:\WINDOWS\System32\userinit.exe,

Note: Make sure the comma (,) is included at the end of userinit.exe

Let me know if this helps

 

Tomorrow, when I am fresh, I'll try. Thanks.

 

There is no "user name box" on the logon screen for XP unless one of 3 things is going on. You are a memeber of a domain, you turned off the Welcome screen, or you installed a program related to security or networking that requires the use of the old-style logon.

If you figure out which it is, you will possibly solve your problem. For example, when did the Welcome screen disappear?

If you are a member of a domain, then the domain administrator may have put restrictions on the process.

 

I went to the registry in the safe mode, found the key Winlogon and saw that the data already was userinit.exe,

That does not seem to be my problem. This is a used computer I bought from a non-technical person, who cannot help with this.

 

I have decided to reinstall the operating sytem. I don't know if that will overcome my ignorance of the username and password. If not, I may have to call Dell - unless a TSG has a better idea.

Thanks! I'll allow this thread to remain open for a few days to get all the replies.

 

If its a used computer and more than likely out of warranty dell wont help you.When you buy a used computer you should start all over again fresh you certainly dont want the previous owners junk in there.

 

SUEOHIO: I think Dell would help, possibly for a fee. In any case, I have reloaded the OpSys. Thanks for the advice. I hope you win your suit against Ohio, if you are part of the 99%.

 

Well dell might help i suppose if you pay. But free help on a used computer not to my knowledge and i have quite a few used dells in my house.I didnt know there was any kind of lawsuit in ohio against dell. lol!!!!!!You are welcome.

 

It's better to start fresh, anyway.