I am being prompted for a password which i never set

[phantomcow2]

A short while ago my computer restarted with no apparent reason.
I have this computer setup so that it brings me to a startup screen where i click the icon with my name on it and a picture beside it to select a user to log in as.
When the computer restarted it brought up a password prompt box, where it says
USERNAME _____________
PASSWORD _____________

Well default is administrator written as username, so i click Okay. The "windows welcome" sound is made, and seconds later the windows goodbye sound is made. Now the same password prompt box comes up, asking for a username and password.

What can be done to rectify this? I see no reason of why it should have happened in the first place. I have never established a password on this computer before.

 

[BOURBAKI]

See:
How to turn on automatic logon in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315231&ID=KB;EN-US;Q315231&

 

[usalabs3]

If your computer is on a network, it looks like your computer was remotely turned on, by Wake on LAN, then infected with a backdoor trojan horse to allow a remote user full access to your system, and change the security settings.

My advice is to never use the administator account as your sole user account, but to create an admin account that's seperate from the real admin account, then you can press the keyboard re-boot keys (CTRL-ALT-DEL) twice, to get to a different logon screen, then you can enter 'administrator' in the username and the password that was setup during xp installation.

Using the administrator account as your sole user account, gives you no way to correct problems if you need to.

 

[gpalmer711]

This problem can also occur due to malware or corrupt registry.

See if the following help

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=corruptprofile

http://www.winxptutor.com/wsaremove.htm

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[phantomcow2]

Well these solutions require me to log in and get to an actual working screen with a start menu and all.
Right now i am bound to that login screen. Is my only alternative to reformat and reinstall windows?

 

[linney]

In any Logon box can you type your original Username (after highlighting and deleting Administrator)?

Can you logon via Safe Mode?

In either case does the built-in Administrator account have access?

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[phantomcow2]

Thanks for replies.
Here are a few more happy things i have discovered:
entering my usename does not work
safemode does not work, it lists all of the files on the black screen with white txt and freezes
It will not recognize startup disks on the Floppy

I am tempted to give up, tommorow its going to a technician