I was hoping that you could network the machine . . .

While the disk is in your second PC, take the following
steps. I will assume that it is visible as drive F:.
1. Create the following lines in F:\Documents and Settings\
All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Logon.bat
@echo off
echo %date% %time% >> c:\test.txt
set >> c:\test.txt
2. Run F:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\
Programs\Startup\Logon.bat
3. Check if the file c:\test.txt exists and if it contains information
about your second PC.
4. Put the disk back into its normal case. Reboot and go
through the full logon cycle that you first described.
5. Return the disk to your second machine and report
the contents of Q:\test.txt (not C:\test.txt!).

The next step will require some off-line editing of the
problem PC's registry, based on the information you post
in Step 5 above.


"Nate" <Nate@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C88F63ED-ED93-4FE1-8A27-9A85F224EE31@microsoft.com...
> HI Pegasus
>
> I have the admin password (there is none). I do have another PC that I can
> use. I was able to pull out the disk and install it into this other PC,
but I
> can use it for other means.
>
> What suggestions do you have?
>
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Nate" <Nate@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:4630B7EF-1DD9-4727-B991-70C17F06D383@microsoft.com...
> > > Hi all
> > >
> > > I am dealing with a real headscratcher. A client gave me their
computer
> > > because they could not log on. They put their login info:
> > username/password,
> > > it looked like it was doing some machination then went back to the
login
> > > prompt.
> > >
> > > Hmm. I tried logging in with the Admin account (which apparently had
no
> > > password), and same thing. I then booted to safe mode, but still no
luck.
> > I
> > > could not get past the login prompt.
> > >
> > > I took out the disk and put it in another machine and was able to see
all
> > > the appropriate files are there. Ran antivirus scans/etc, cleaned
> > everything
> > > out, but still not luck.
> > >
> > > I even tried to do a boot from CD/Repair, but the start said it could
not
> > > find a disk. Strange because it is a SATA disk and is recognized at
boot.
> > The
> > > OS does boot to the login prompt.
> > >
> > > ???? I am stumped.
> > >
> > > Any ideas?
> > >
> > > Nate
> >
> > The problem is well known and is often caused by some disk
> > manipulation software. The solution depens on your setup: It
> > is simple if the machine is networked and if you know the password
> > for its admin account, and less simple but still manageable if you
> > have some other WinXP/2000 PC available. Which one is it?
> >
> >
> >