PLEASE HELP! Cannot Logon, need to return to Restore Point

[dineshk]

I somehow changed the logon information so that I cannot log on. (I was
trying to set an office laptop to be able to log into my home workgroup, and
now neither the work nor the home login info will work.)

I first created a System Restore Point, thinking that if I messed things up
(which I did!), I'd be able to get back to where things were. The machine
has WinXP Pro, and was originally set up at my wife's office (by a guy who
won't be available for days).

What I failed to consider is that, having unsuccessfully tried to make
changes to the username, and from Domain to Workgroup logon, etc, I now
cannot get past "Ctrl Alt Del to Logon" -- so, I am unable even to get to
the Win XP System Restore program!!

I'd be thrilled just to get back to the Restore Point I created before I
began messing with the logon. Can I somehow get to it during startup?

Please, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Chicano]

Have you tried the F8 key to logon in Safe Mode? if not, right after the BIOS completes posting, press F8 every 1 (about 1.5 second to be precise, or press and hold) and from the Safe Mode options list, 1st select the "Last know good configuration that worked" option and press the Enter key. If that works, you can restore the system normally. If that fails, try "Safe Mode" from the F8 options list. As the desktop starts to open, the System Restore option will come up on the screen. If both tries fail, the only possible solutions are:

1. To download the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows ISO to burn a Live CD which includes a tool named "RegResWiz" (Registry Restore Wizard) that restores the registry to previous saved states,.. and
2.- To repair-reinstall the system.

http://www.ubcd4win.com/

 

[tigsounds]

Restore Points won't roll-back changes in security settings, passwords etc.

 

[wlievens]

Also need help with login to WinXP
I am having similiar issue. Previously computer was set to use domain and my login/password worked for that. I was trying to find a local computer/printer on network and when I looked for a new workgroup to join, it (and to be correct "I") inadvertantly changed the computer to only work locally and not via the domain. Now my login does not work. The computer was still logged in yesterday, but then it restarted 2/2 windows update and now I am stuck and cannot login. Other than contacting IT (which is a pain as I am in a remote location from them) any other recs on getting in I have only known loging/passwords related to the domain and not the local ones for the machine only. Thanks!

 

[karenC]

Hey the F8 works well. I found a tottal computer system ( tower, Moniter, keyboard,and mouse) in the dumpster where I lived before. I took it home and plugged it in. I was password protected. Well I went and got a new hared drive at the computer store for $15.00 and hooked it uo and disconected the orriganal hard drive in this system. I booted it with the F8 and it reset to facory settings. This computer had a different drive instead of reset disks. Well It re-set and I was in in seconds. I then reconected the orriganal hard drive and held the F8 again It booted straight to the desk top . I was ammazzed and shocked to realize I just brought home a DOC (department of corrections) network computer!!! Scarred me at first. I had to delette about 50 different other peoples personal files, photos, accounts extra..extra. I got rid of it eventually. Nice computer ..buisness formated so I didn't need it. Besides didn't want to be the new owner of a DOC computer. lol Hope this helps you . This way of hooking up a different hard drive and F8 then attatching yours shuldn't get rid of any personal files or folders Hopefully! But it does by-pass the password part of the log in poccess. The y sell password dection software..but its cheaper to do the hard drive trick! Good luck Hun! Let me know if you try it and if it works or not for you too. Ok?

 

[karenC]

Also need help with login to WinXP
I am having similiar issue. Previously computer was set to use domain and my login/password worked for that. I was trying to find a local computer/printer on network and when I looked for a new workgroup to join, it (and to be correct "I") inadvertantly changed the computer to only work locally and not via the domain. Now my login does not work. The computer was still logged in yesterday, but then it restarted 2/2 windows update and now I am stuck and cannot login. Other than contacting IT (which is a pain as I am in a remote location from them) any other recs on getting in I have only known loging/passwords related to the domain and not the local ones for the machine only. Thanks!

Have you tried to set the public domain to automaticly enter passwords? Sometimes it works if its a public network. If it's security protected it won't do auto enter password though.

 

[Chicano]

Also need help with login to WinXP
I am having similiar issue. Previously computer was set to use domain and my login/password worked for that. I was trying to find a local computer/printer on network and when I looked for a new workgroup to join, it (and to be correct "I") inadvertantly changed the computer to only work locally and not via the domain. Now my login does not work. The computer was still logged in yesterday, but then it restarted 2/2 windows update and now I am stuck and cannot login. Other than contacting IT (which is a pain as I am in a remote location from them) any other recs on getting in I have only known loging/passwords related to the domain and not the local ones for the machine only. Thanks!

Check the solution on this thread:
"Tried to join a workgroup but now can't loginto system"
http://serverfault.com/questions/123390/tried-to-join-a-workgroup-but-now-cant-loginto-system

This may also help
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-to-help-you-reset-a-forgotten-windows-xp-password/