Is it possible? (Registry)

[mrlucio79]

I am having a problem with Windows ME booting up to the desktop. Right after i enter the windows password it just sits there. I can't even get into safe mode, does the same thing. Now is it possible to edit the registry in DOS

 

[cdogg]

What happens if you hit Cancel instead of entering a password?

Assuming you are able to get in, you might want to consider removing the password prompt all together. Or at least remove it temporarily and re-create your account. These FAQ's should help:

Removing - faq615-1553
Getting it back - faq615-1514


Another thing you can try is holding the SHIFT key down as you key in the password and hit OK. Continue holding it down until Windows is finished logging you in. This will bypass any programs/shortcuts in your startup groups.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[mrlucio79]

Cancel don't work either. It looks like its Explorer.exe that is locking up. Is it possible to repair explorer.exe? I have tried restoring a older registry backup and that still didn't work.

 

[diogenes10]

If you go to add/remove programs in control panel and select Microsoft Internet Explorer, you will get a choice to repair.

-------------------------------------
It's 10 O'Clock ( somewhere! ).
Are your registry and data backed up?

 

[mrlucio79]

but i can't even boot into windows? Explorer.exe is the shell not the browser...

 

[mrlucio79]

is it possible for me to do a reinstall without losing my custom settings?

 

[cdogg]

Yes, it is possible. Reinstalling will just replace missing system files and won't repair a damaged registry. However, as long as you do it over-top of your existing installation, you won't lose anything. So it doesn't hurt to try.

However, it seems as if your system is infected with either a virus or some form of spyware that's hanging your system. If you have a large enough hard drive, you might be better off creating a second partition, copying over as much as you can to it, then formatting the primary one and doing a clean install of Windows. Then you can just restore all critical files and documents from the copy you made. Of course doing it this way can take some time, considering you will STILL have to reinstall your applications, but at least you get a fresh start. Utilities like Partition Magic ($19.99 or less) can help you with this.

In the future, backup your system regularly. If you have a CD or DVD Burner, create an image to disc using a program like DriveImage or Norton's Ghost. It will save you a lot of time in the long run. Plus, you never know when your hard drive might croak.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[torturedmind]

i had the same situation/problem yesterday. i just made an over-the-top installation and everything went ok. though mine's a win98se box but i guess it's the same in winme.

i hope this helps. peace!

kilroy
philippines

"Illegitimis non carborundum!"

 

[TekTippy4U]

...."Now is it possible to edit the registry in DOS"

YES

ME is a bit.....ok ALOT diff, when it comes to self-manual repair though, and you shuld be checking the entries in system.ini [boot] shell=explorer.exe (only this should be here) and win.ini[windows] load= and run= (should be blank most times)

it may be malware / virus issue too

i don't use logon prompts, but i don't think safemode should be presenting you with a Logon dialog


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[cdogg]

TT4U,
Yeah, unfortunately safe mode doesn't get around the logon box. Also, does safe mode still process the entries in system.ini and win.ini? I know it bypasses autoexec.bat and config.sys.

How do you edit the registry in DOS? I wasn't aware that you could...


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[TekTippy4U]

Hi cdogg;
Safemode only loads "certain" system.ini and win.ini entries -- No [386enh] entries are loaded from System.ini and I think only [windows] entries are loaded from Win.ini
see;

Also -- Editing the REG;
(info yes from MS below, yet very confusing, must play with it to be sure - I have done it and it can be tricky - an ex; to delete the ENUM key incorporated into the local Current SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT files from Dos --
CD WINDOWS
Attrib -r -h SYSTEM.DAT
Attrib -r -h USER.DAT
CD\
A:\
REGEDIT /L:C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT /R:C:\WINDOWS\USER.DAT A:\DELENUM.REG
-- where DELENUM.REG is a text/reg file carried over from a floppy drive to a box and the contents of the REG file contains --
----------------------------------
REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ENUM]

-------------------------------------


see;

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;131431

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;131352

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;129260

hth


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[TekTippy4U]

Hi again cdogg;
oooooooops I left out the link for SafeMode

http://www.windowsgalore.com/windows.95/safemode.htm

a bit confusing but helpful nonetheless


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[mrlucio79]

no luck on the over the top reinstall. Had to completely format the drive and reinstall. THanks for all the info though.