log in win 2000

[bejay]

Hi.
I am using drive backup8. I have recently obtained a win 2000 Pen 3 computer to run my security system on.
After setting the system up, as the HD will be running all the time I decided to clone a copy and run that. Keeping the original disk as a back up for when required. I now run the cloned copy.
However I decided I needed to update the original copy so put that back into the computer to update. But the original now will not start because it will not see passwords. to start windows. When I cloned it I removed the password to simplify things I thought. Then re set them on the cloned copy. That works fine.
Has anyone come across this problem before or can you suggest a way to get back into the windows system to restart it please?.
The computer does have a Compaq section but I don't seem to be able to get into that either even if I knew how to use it.
thanks Bejay

[Spider]

Hi welcome to Cyber Tech Help.
will not start because it will not see passwords
What exactly are you seeing on the screen and what error is happening with passwords?

[bejay]

Hi welcome to Cyber Tech Help.

What exactly are you seeing on the screen and what error is happening with passwords?
Hi Spider thanks for the interest.
All goes well untill the log in screen. I put the password in and we just go in a circle. The password is correct, but it will not open windows, the same with another account passwords. Window's seem to have lost it. It gives a message to the effect wrong password. I did see a note about a paging file with another problem but on that occasion I altered it as per instructions and that all went hay wire.

[bejay]

I see to the effect wrong password, in all the accounts. I goes up to the log in screen then around in circles. Windows will not launch. I know I can re clone the clone but that will leave me wondering what I should have done. I know with win 95 and I think 98 there were password files, but I can't see anything that looks like one in win 2k.
thanks

[Spider]

but on that occasion I altered it as per instructions and that all went hay wire
Let them change their passwords and you leave yours alone [in the future].

Changing passwords should only be done if you have a breech of some sort or you have
new people using your computer. Have one or two passwords for everything and choose
something you remember easily 6 months down the road.

Chances are what you typed and what you wanted to type ended up being two different
things and now you have no idea what is *really* in there.

If you can't sign on with any user name then you'll have to reinstall Windows. Have you
the Windows CD in your possession?

[bejay]

No I have no disk Spider, but as I said I could always clone the clone. I just thought someone might have come across this before or knew where the passwords were stoned in the registery. I know they can be got at in mellinuem as I have changed them in that system in the registery and it worked. But I can't see anything to change in the 2K edition.
thanks anyway
bejay

[Spider]

No I have no disk
Ok, I don't point to this often so download this quick because I am going to remove the link soon.

-link removed-

Make a CD, it boots and you can try the password section.

[bejay]

Thanks Spider. I will try that. I have an exciting life I was thinking the other night, about your advice do not change passwords, (that's how exciting). When I realised I never changed the passwords or interfeard with them in the first place. Whether they time expired I don't know, as I said I cloned the drive and put it away, thats all.
Anyway thanks for your time and help. Will let you know in a while when I have tried the disk.

[bejay]

Hi Spider.
Wonderful I now have control over the passwords. I am now getting "paging file to small or missing" it tells me how to rectify the prob. but through control panel. Because windows isn't launched, I can't get to of course. Any idea where the paging file entry is in the registery? As I could edit it from my laptop if I knew where to or what to look for. Unless you have any other suggestions.
thanks
bejay

[Spider]

getting "paging file to small or missing"
That's because as far as the NTFS (the file system your hard drive is formatted with) security is concerned
the password fix you did makes you a *new* user for Windows and you now have limited access.

What happens if you try booting to Safe Mode (http://space.hostrocket.com/safe.mode/safe.mode.html) and logging in under Administrator and a blank password?

[bejay]

Hi Spider.
Thanks for the reply.
The results in Safe Mod are the same, as in normal boot.

If I try to log on leaving everything blank I get “the system could not log you on. Make sure your username password are correct”.

Trying in administrator I get. “The system has no paging file or its to small.”
1. Click my computer, properties, advanced tab
2. Click performance option, change button. Under drive select drive you want.
3. To create new file, click initial size (MB) and type size.
Or
To increase size click max size button (MB) then type larger.
All very well if you can get into my computer, but I can’t

[Spider]

It sounds like that Windows has become corrupted to the point of no return.

Did you use an overlay (hard drive formatting program that comes with hard drives) to format that drive initially?

[bejay]

Thanks Spider for your effort. The drive was in when I recycled the computer. Not to worry I will re clone it. I just thought someone might know how to get to the paging file. I thought would not be to hard but I was wrong.It appears not. Anyway thanks

[Spider]

Your welcome.