I cannot Log into Windows After Reinstall

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 05:37 AM

Hello, I have 2 HDs the one i am using now has XP pro w/ SP2 on it, but i wanted to start fresh so i totally wiped my other drive and wanted to install a copy of XP pro w/ SP2 slipstreamed. I made the bootable slipstreamed CD ok and everything installed fine but when i goto click on my name to log in it keeps asking me for a password. I have never set up a user account w/ a password because I am the only one who has access to this PC. I tried just hitting enter but that didnt work either. I also tried doing it through safe mode and the same thing happens. I have no idea what happened or how to fix it??

Kevin

mainman · Sep 1, 2004, 05:44 AM

Did ya try to login as an admin and then disabling the password check?

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 06:15 AM

I am not sure how to log in as an admin, but when i went to safe mode i tried to log in as "administrator" and the same thing happened

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 07:39 AM

On second thought...........I dont think this is a password issue after all. I do not get an invalid password message or anything, i get this error
"specified domain does not exist or could not be contacted". I found this error message in articles, but it doesnt seem to have anything to do w/ my problem? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Kevin

mainman · Sep 1, 2004, 07:43 AM

Well sounds like a bad install to me, try to reinstall XP SP2, maybe something was messed up when you slipstream it.

eggs420 · Sep 1, 2004, 08:13 AM

You're trying to log onto a domain - You should see an Options button on the login - Hit that, and change the drop-down box under password to the local machine and then login with administrator. That _should_ do the trick?

If that fails still try the same in safe mode.

Shout if you are still stuck, I'm sure the problem is that you are configured to login to an Active Directory Domain (2k/2k3 network setup). When you select your local machine, and login, you should then be able to go to My Computer -> properties -> identication -> change -> join a workgroup instead of domain of anything. If it asks for a username/password to leave the domain, use your local user/pass...It shouldn't ask or matter though if the DC isn't available (which it isnt, you dont have one). Reboot when prompted, and all should be well. If you STILL can't get in, reinstall and take care to join a workgroup and NOT a domain. Good luck!

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 09:28 AM

I tried the options things and nutting came up. I had to hit cntrl-alt-del and I got "ok" "cancel" and "options" button. When i hit options the only thing that appeared was a shutdown box which was greyed out. I also tried it in safe mode w/ the same results. Guess ill try reinstalling. I did try to slipstream SP2 w/o first slipstreaming SP1.......I assumed that SP2 had all of the previous updates but maybe that is an issue.

ill see how it goes.......

PangingJr · Sep 1, 2004, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jitter

Hello, I have 2 HDs the one i am using now has XP pro w/ SP2 on it, but i wanted to start fresh so i totally wiped my other drive and wanted to install a copy of XP pro w/ SP2 slipstreamed. I made the bootable slipstreamed CD ok and everything installed fine

you mean you installed the XP on the 2nd HDD?

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 10:59 AM

Yes I have 2 HDs....The one i am using now is my "good" drive it has xp pro w/ SP2 on it and works fine. When i was messing w/ the other hard drive i disconnected this one in case i messed something up. I got XP w/ sp2 installed on the second one but i cant login. Right now i have it slaved.....

I tried reinstalling w/ slipstreaming SP1 and the SP2 and i still get the same problem. Is there any registry edits or some kinda boot files i can change?

PangingJr · Sep 1, 2004, 11:03 AM

did you enter PW for the real Administrator during the setup?

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 11:11 AM

No i never enntered any PW's during setup.....Ill have to try installing it off the original CD and adding the SPs to it i guess

PangingJr · Sep 1, 2004, 11:14 AM

not quite sure but try this.. and see if you can log in..

reconnect the HDD,

by removing/disconnecting the main HDD (the one with the good XP)..

then connect only the 2nd HDD (the one that you just installed XP) as master...

when you see your name at the screen, hit Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twices, then log in as Administrator, leave the PW blank.

Jitter · Sep 1, 2004, 12:24 PM

I tried that and i still get the same message...I dont think the password is the problem as someone mentioned it seems to be having me try to logon to some network or domain and i cant figure out anyway around it. I have a program where i can edit the registry or whatever from the dos prompt, but i am not exactly sure how to use it or what to change.

PangingJr · Sep 1, 2004, 12:29 PM

did you see msg likes these while trying to log on..

"System Cannot Log You on Because Domain <Computername> Is Not Available"

-Or-

"The system cannot log on due to the following error :
The specified domain either cannot does not exist or could not be contacted"
Please try again or contact a system administrator. ??

or what msg exactly that you see? if you remember..

Jitter · Sep 2, 2004, 01:49 AM

I saw the second message, but i finally got it to work.....

i just deleted/recreated/reformatted the partition it was on and reinstalled it, and it worked fine. I guess the install just got messed up somehow. I think it might of been because the first time I installed it i did not add SP1 before slipstreaming SP2. When i tried to reinstall it the 2nd time (after making a new disk w/ slipstreaming SP1 first) I just used the recovery option instead of a fresh install. I did find a cool program though where you can change your logon passowords and even mess w/ the registry from the dos prompt. I used the Offline NT Password and Registry Editor from this page http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...r_password.htm

PangingJr · Sep 2, 2004, 06:44 AM

hmm, it should had been shown other warning or error msges.. i think, with either error msges that i posted, hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del two times, the screen'll then change to the classic look logon screen, then Administrator should be able to login. anyway, glad you've it sorted.

Jitter · Sep 2, 2004, 03:44 PM

I have no idea what happened i just think the install got messed up because when i installed it the 3rd time I had to fill in more info during the XP setup than the other 2x. Thanks for trying to help everything seems to be ok now

PangingJr · Sep 2, 2004, 04:15 PM

no problem, i only try to get some good information that may help other with same problem.

eran · Sep 4, 2004, 07:51 AM

You can slipstream to either XP "gold" (the original XP) or to the SP1 version - it makes nodifference. In fact, if you slipstream to SP1, there are some redundent files from SP1 that you might want to delete manually. They don't interfere with setup though. The files are:
\SPNOTES.HTM, \WIN51IC.SP1, \I386\SP1.CAB, \I386\SP1.CAT, (some installations \I386\SVCPACK.INF, \I386\SVCPACK\, \I386\HOTFIXES)

Falstaff · Sep 4, 2004, 08:17 AM

at least you didnt get the old re-activate windows, message. care beful man...lol

eggs420 · Sep 4, 2004, 08:30 AM

We could have got you in via recovery console without too much trouble I bet..You were for sure part of a domain for some reason....Just had to leave it and get back to a workgroup..Sorry, haven't been to this board in a few days..Good to see you got it working though!

PangingJr · Sep 5, 2004, 09:46 PM

Slipstreaming a service pack then create bootable CD should not messed up the installation like that, the only thing i can think of is the domain options has been selected during the installed, even that you can still log in as Admin, with or witout password should not be any problem either.. then see after that what we can do within windows...

nixolas · Oct 5, 2004, 03:02 AM

I am having the same problem with the error that says
"the system cannot log you on due to the following error:
the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."

Can you help me change it back to local work group? I have been trying everything i can think of!! I would really appretiate it!

If you could send me an e-mail with help, or contact me on AIM:
e-mail: nixnac@cox.net
AIM: Nixolas

Please help! Thank you very much!!!

eggs420 · Oct 5, 2004, 03:38 AM

Hey man I just replied to your PM -- Reply here instead if you can. You'll get input from more than me and also others can benifit from our conversation.

MythicaL · Oct 5, 2004, 05:18 AM

I think in the Windows installation you provided a local network, or maybe workgroup, which you don't want in your case.

eggs420 · Oct 5, 2004, 07:37 AM

You mean a domain, and yeah that could be the problem. There are a few reports of sp2's installation forcing the user into a domain, or at least forcing an attempt at domain login..If it were just a domain picked during install, you can just login to the local machine instead of domain and join a workgroup instead. Could be a simple one or a complex one.

MythicaL · Oct 6, 2004, 04:46 PM

Well, everytime I reinstall XP, it never asks me for a domain... it just sticks with the HOME workgroup. This is only on the slipstreamed XP though.

Sep 1, 2004, 05:37 AM	#1
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I cannot Log into Windows After Reinstall Hello, I have 2 HDs the one i am using now has XP pro w/ SP2 on it, but i wanted to start fresh so i totally wiped my other drive and wanted to install a copy of XP pro w/ SP2 slipstreamed. I made the bootable slipstreamed CD ok and everything installed fine but when i goto click on my name to log in it keeps asking me for a password. I have never set up a user account w/ a password because I am the only one who has access to this PC. I tried just hitting enter but that didnt work either. I also tried doing it through safe mode and the same thing happens. I have no idea what happened or how to fix it?? Kevin

Sep 1, 2004, 05:44 AM	#2
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,961 Rep Power: 71	Did ya try to login as an admin and then disabling the password check? __________________

Sep 1, 2004, 07:43 AM	#5
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,961 Rep Power: 71	Well sounds like a bad install to me, try to reinstall XP SP2, maybe something was messed up when you slipstream it. __________________

Sep 1, 2004, 08:13 AM	#6
eggs420 my bud > yours Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 399 Rep Power: 0	You're trying to log onto a domain - You should see an Options button on the login - Hit that, and change the drop-down box under password to the local machine and then login with administrator. That _should_ do the trick? If that fails still try the same in safe mode. Shout if you are still stuck, I'm sure the problem is that you are configured to login to an Active Directory Domain (2k/2k3 network setup). When you select your local machine, and login, you should then be able to go to My Computer -> properties -> identication -> change -> join a workgroup instead of domain of anything. If it asks for a username/password to leave the domain, use your local user/pass...It shouldn't ask or matter though if the DC isn't available (which it isnt, you dont have one). Reboot when prompted, and all should be well. If you STILL can't get in, reinstall and take care to join a workgroup and NOT a domain. Good luck! __________________ AMD64 2800+ // Chaintech VNF3-250 // 2X512mb PDI ddr400 2-3-2-5 // 80gb 7200RPM WD w/8mb cache // Leadtek 6800GT // 144kbit IDSL Clan -=CCC=- Admin 69.31.96.68 BF2 PUBLIC RANKED SERVER 205.218.65.236 BF2 DEMO SERVER Last edited by eggs420; Sep 1, 2004 at 08:21 AM.

Sep 1, 2004, 12:29 PM	#14
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	did you see msg likes these while trying to log on.. "System Cannot Log You on Because Domain <Computername> Is Not Available" -Or- "The system cannot log on due to the following error : The specified domain either cannot does not exist or could not be contacted" Please try again or contact a system administrator. ?? or what msg exactly that you see? if you remember.. Last edited by Net; Sep 1, 2004 at 12:54 PM.

Sep 1, 2004, 06:15 AM	Thread Starter #3
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I am not sure how to log in as an admin, but when i went to safe mode i tried to log in as "administrator" and the same thing happened

Sep 1, 2004, 07:39 AM	Thread Starter #4
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	On second thought...........I dont think this is a password issue after all. I do not get an invalid password message or anything, i get this error "specified domain does not exist or could not be contacted". I found this error message in articles, but it doesnt seem to have anything to do w/ my problem? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks Kevin

Sep 1, 2004, 09:28 AM	Thread Starter #7
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I tried the options things and nutting came up. I had to hit cntrl-alt-del and I got "ok" "cancel" and "options" button. When i hit options the only thing that appeared was a shutdown box which was greyed out. I also tried it in safe mode w/ the same results. Guess ill try reinstalling. I did try to slipstream SP2 w/o first slipstreaming SP1.......I assumed that SP2 had all of the previous updates but maybe that is an issue. ill see how it goes.......

Sep 1, 2004, 10:59 AM	Thread Starter #9
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	Yes I have 2 HDs....The one i am using now is my "good" drive it has xp pro w/ SP2 on it and works fine. When i was messing w/ the other hard drive i disconnected this one in case i messed something up. I got XP w/ sp2 installed on the second one but i cant login. Right now i have it slaved..... I tried reinstalling w/ slipstreaming SP1 and the SP2 and i still get the same problem. Is there any registry edits or some kinda boot files i can change?

Sep 1, 2004, 11:03 AM	#10
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	did you enter PW for the real Administrator during the setup?

Sep 1, 2004, 11:11 AM	Thread Starter #11
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	No i never enntered any PW's during setup.....Ill have to try installing it off the original CD and adding the SPs to it i guess

Sep 1, 2004, 11:14 AM	#12
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	not quite sure but try this.. and see if you can log in.. reconnect the HDD, by removing/disconnecting the main HDD (the one with the good XP).. then connect only the 2nd HDD (the one that you just installed XP) as master... when you see your name at the screen, hit Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twices, then log in as Administrator, leave the PW blank.

Sep 1, 2004, 12:24 PM	Thread Starter #13
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I tried that and i still get the same message...I dont think the password is the problem as someone mentioned it seems to be having me try to logon to some network or domain and i cant figure out anyway around it. I have a program where i can edit the registry or whatever from the dos prompt, but i am not exactly sure how to use it or what to change.

Sep 2, 2004, 01:49 AM	Thread Starter #15
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I saw the second message, but i finally got it to work..... i just deleted/recreated/reformatted the partition it was on and reinstalled it, and it worked fine. I guess the install just got messed up somehow. I think it might of been because the first time I installed it i did not add SP1 before slipstreaming SP2. When i tried to reinstall it the 2nd time (after making a new disk w/ slipstreaming SP1 first) I just used the recovery option instead of a fresh install. I did find a cool program though where you can change your logon passowords and even mess w/ the registry from the dos prompt. I used the Offline NT Password and Registry Editor from this page http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_admini...r_password.htm

Sep 2, 2004, 06:44 AM	#16
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	hmm, it should had been shown other warning or error msges.. i think, with either error msges that i posted, hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del two times, the screen'll then change to the classic look logon screen, then Administrator should be able to login. anyway, glad you've it sorted.

Sep 2, 2004, 03:44 PM	Thread Starter #17
Jitter HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 534 Rep Power: 0	I have no idea what happened i just think the install got messed up because when i installed it the 3rd time I had to fill in more info during the XP setup than the other 2x. Thanks for trying to help everything seems to be ok now

Sep 2, 2004, 04:15 PM	#18
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	no problem, i only try to get some good information that may help other with same problem.

Sep 4, 2004, 07:51 AM	#19
eran DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	You can slipstream to either XP "gold" (the original XP) or to the SP1 version - it makes nodifference. In fact, if you slipstream to SP1, there are some redundent files from SP1 that you might want to delete manually. They don't interfere with setup though. The files are: \SPNOTES.HTM, \WIN51IC.SP1, \I386\SP1.CAB, \I386\SP1.CAT, (some installations \I386\SVCPACK.INF, \I386\SVCPACK\, \I386\HOTFIXES)

Sep 4, 2004, 08:17 AM	#20
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	at least you didnt get the old re-activate windows, message. care beful man...lol __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Sep 4, 2004, 08:30 AM	#21
eggs420 my bud > yours Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 399 Rep Power: 0	We could have got you in via recovery console without too much trouble I bet..You were for sure part of a domain for some reason....Just had to leave it and get back to a workgroup..Sorry, haven't been to this board in a few days..Good to see you got it working though! __________________ AMD64 2800+ // Chaintech VNF3-250 // 2X512mb PDI ddr400 2-3-2-5 // 80gb 7200RPM WD w/8mb cache // Leadtek 6800GT // 144kbit IDSL Clan -=CCC=- Admin 69.31.96.68 BF2 PUBLIC RANKED SERVER 205.218.65.236 BF2 DEMO SERVER

Sep 5, 2004, 09:46 PM	#22
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	Slipstreaming a service pack then create bootable CD should not messed up the installation like that, the only thing i can think of is the domain options has been selected during the installed, even that you can still log in as Admin, with or witout password should not be any problem either.. then see after that what we can do within windows...

Oct 5, 2004, 03:02 AM	#23
nixolas DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Help! I am having the same problem with the error that says "the system cannot log you on due to the following error: the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted." Can you help me change it back to local work group? I have been trying everything i can think of!! I would really appretiate it! If you could send me an e-mail with help, or contact me on AIM: e-mail: nixnac@cox.net AIM: Nixolas Please help! Thank you very much!!!

Oct 5, 2004, 03:38 AM	#24
eggs420 my bud > yours Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 399 Rep Power: 0	Hey man I just replied to your PM -- Reply here instead if you can. You'll get input from more than me and also others can benifit from our conversation. __________________ AMD64 2800+ // Chaintech VNF3-250 // 2X512mb PDI ddr400 2-3-2-5 // 80gb 7200RPM WD w/8mb cache // Leadtek 6800GT // 144kbit IDSL Clan -=CCC=- Admin 69.31.96.68 BF2 PUBLIC RANKED SERVER 205.218.65.236 BF2 DEMO SERVER Last edited by eggs420; Oct 5, 2004 at 04:32 AM.

Oct 5, 2004, 05:18 AM	#25
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	I think in the Windows installation you provided a local network, or maybe workgroup, which you don't want in your case. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Oct 5, 2004, 07:37 AM	#26
eggs420 my bud > yours Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 399 Rep Power: 0	You mean a domain, and yeah that could be the problem. There are a few reports of sp2's installation forcing the user into a domain, or at least forcing an attempt at domain login..If it were just a domain picked during install, you can just login to the local machine instead of domain and join a workgroup instead. Could be a simple one or a complex one. __________________ AMD64 2800+ // Chaintech VNF3-250 // 2X512mb PDI ddr400 2-3-2-5 // 80gb 7200RPM WD w/8mb cache // Leadtek 6800GT // 144kbit IDSL Clan -=CCC=- Admin 69.31.96.68 BF2 PUBLIC RANKED SERVER 205.218.65.236 BF2 DEMO SERVER

Oct 6, 2004, 04:46 PM	#27
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Well, everytime I reinstall XP, it never asks me for a domain... it just sticks with the HOME workgroup. This is only on the slipstreamed XP though. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.