Recovery Console 2

[aquias]

Alrighty,

Apparently I was bad so I'm getting an oddball problem. I have a system that is getting a few random lockups, looks like it is coming from Explorer.Exe. After running a few spyware/malware programs and removed a few other problem programs the issue persisted.

So, after a defrag I deceided it was time to hop into Recovery Console and see if there were any errors on the drive. Here's where I get a bit confused.

I boot into recovery console and when prompted to type in my administrator password I receive the error that it is invalid. No biggie, reboot and attempt to log onto the main administrator account with what I believe the password to be, and I can log on.

For my sanity sake I change the passwords over on all the administrator accounts on the system and reboot. I'm still receiving the error that the password is invalid...my first thought is that the SAM was corrupted but if that was the case I'd see other behavior.

Soooooooo, my only thought is that during its initial setup (wasn't done by myself) someone associated a different account as the system administrator default (which may have since been removed). Any thoughts on how to discover this? Or what else may be causing this issue?

 

[bcastner]

My guess is slightly different. This is a known issue for installs without SP1 slipstreamed, then updated to Service Pack 1.

. try this registry trick:

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/1289/

. in the alternative, you need to use the floppy disk method to access recovery console:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...efault.aspx?scid=kb;en-gb;307654&ln=en-gb

As a general note to all: if you have not installed Recovery Console as a native boot option, do so. If you have upgraded to SP2 you unfortunately cannot now add the boot time option to access Recovery Console. You need to add the option prior to the SP2 upgrade.

To install Recovery Console, see my link just above.

 

[gpalmer711]

Log in - click on start - run - control userpasswords2 - ok

Find the account named Administrator and change the password of this account.

If that still does not work you can use group policy to automitically log into recovery console.

Start > Run > gpedit.msc > ok > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options > Recovery Console:Allow Automatic Admin Login

Hope this helps

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[gpalmer711]

As a side note I have managed to install the recovery console with SP2 installed.

I had to do it with a SP2 slipstreamed CD but it works fine, which is strange considering all the ho-har about it not being available.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[aquias]

Bill: As always it is much appreciated!

Greg: I did change the password no go, but I was unaware the GP had that ability...YAY!

Thank you both and Happy Holidays

 

[bcastner]

Best Holiday wishes, aquias.

gpalmer711,
I honestly have not tried it, and bless you son for having done so.

So the new rule is:

. if you update XP using the Service Pack 2 CD image, or with Windows Update, you no longer can install Recovery Console as a boot time option;

. But, if you slipstream SP2 and do a repair install, or do a clean install, you can install Recovery Console as a boot time option.

 

[gpalmer711]

My current installation is

Install using a SP1 Slipstream Disk
Install SP2 from MSDN Disk
Slipstream XP from MSDN with sp2 from MSDN
Install Recovery Console from new disk.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[aquias]

Worked like a charm, you guys rock.

And Greg...now you've given something new to play with and see if I can make it work...I don't know if I like that or not yet.

 

[bcastner]

gpalmer711,

That sounds like a fairly typical installation scenario for many, other than some of us members of the unwashed masses do not have MSDN subscriptions (US$ 1000 per year).

For a more typical user, an SP2 slipstream can be done easily:
thread779-900263

 

[gpalmer711]

It's only thanks to you that I have it - MS MVP

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[linney]

Recovery console goes in as long as the installation CD has the SP2 files slipstreamed. Winnt32.exe must be at the SP2 level so as the files installed by the Comcons switch are not SP1 level but the SP2 versions.

 

[bcastner]

Darn linney,

If you knew this earlier I wish you had said something. Rather than stumbling in the dark and discovering this on your own. See my post two above.

And Merry Christmas to you.
Bill

 

[linney]

I'm sure I would have mentioned it, but perhaps it never came up as an issue on this site.

Come to think of it, I probably owe Greg Palmer for the idea anyway, see this thread.

Recovery Console problems.
thread779-887087

And a Merry Christmas to one and all.