Recover Console in WinXP

[FrankSG]

I have Win XP Home Edition. I tried to get into the Recover Console just to see what it looks like. The way I did it was to hit the F8 key at startup. I then chose Debugging Mode/Microsoft Windows Recover Console. But it then told me to put in the administrator password. I have no such password. This is just my computer that I use at home and I'm the only one who uses it. So I've never had to put in a password before. Since I'm the only user, why do I need one? And since I don't have one, what do I do?? Thanks.
~Frank~ :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Budfred]

I think all you have to do is hit Enter. If you don't type anything else, it should go through and it may even not ask next time, but I am not sure about that.

[FrankSG]

I think all you have to do is hit Enter. If you don't type anything else, it should go through and it may even not ask next time, but I am not sure about that. I went ahead and tried that, but the darn thing still won't work. It told me that it was an invalid password.

[Budfred]

Then I must stand aside and let the wizards of WinXP step in... :p

That trick used to work with Windoze, but apparently the increased protections in WinXP make it more difficult. If you didn't enter a password at install, maybe you could enter one now..??..:rolleyes:

[YODA74]

there are two ways to use the recovery console by placing in the CD or choosing recovery consol at bootup never heard of hitting f8 for this option or at least not in pro anyway.. recovery consol is a bootup option if installed it is not usually installed by default it's an extra tool.
Check here for password problems
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/xpsitefolder/win_xp_passwords.htm

Install recovery consol (http://www.thatcomputerguy.us/archives/000036.html)

[FrankSG]

there are two ways to use the recovery console by placing in the CD or choosing recovery console at bootup never heard of hitting f8 for this option or at least not in pro anyway.. I don't have a CD for XP Home Edition. The OS came pre-installed on my computer when I bought it. The computer came with an extended partition (Drive D:) which is my system recovery. I can use it if I want to restore my system back to the original factory settings. You're correct that the Recovery Console is not installed by default. But, I did manage to install it from my drive D:. I don't remember how I did it, but I did manage to get it installed. I may not have made myself clear when I mentioned hitting the F8 key to get to it. Actually it's on bootup. On my computer, as soon as I turn it on, if I hit the F8 key, it will give me several options such as "Safe Mode"," Last Known Good Configuration", etc. One of the options is "Debugging Mode". When I choose that option, two more options come up. One is Microsoft Windows Home Edition, and the other is Microsoft Windows Recovery Console. When I chose the Recovery Console, I"m told to put in the Administrator Password.

[pave_spectre]

Whats the model of computer.

An admin password you dont know probably means its for 'qualified' techs to get in and screw up your sytem if it ever needs service.

[YODA74]

I guess whats throwing me off is the fact you have to press f8 to get to recovery consol doesn't make sense recovery consol should be right after memory count you can either choose boot to windows or boot to recovery console but any way,, if you never typed a administrator password you should be able to just press Enter to get in if this was pre installed you may have to call the people that installed it they may have put one in and forgot to take it off or they have it there for a reason(which would be beyond all explanation as to why???) pretty much beats the hell out of me why anyone would want an adminitrative password on a recovery option.

[Budfred]

You can also try entering "administrator" capitalized and not... Apparently that is often the one that techs put in...

[FrankSG]

When I get a chance sometime today, I'm going to have to take a closer look at this. I don't like to admit it, but I might have made a mistake and accidental given all of you some incorrect information. Sorry about that if I did, but I might be a little confused as to exactly what I'm seeing. I'll get back with you after I reboot my brain.

[Steve]

FrankSG,

In XPhome, if to go to the control panel and click on the "User Accounts" icon you will see a screen with two main choices, "Pick a task..." and "pick an account to change". Under the "pick an account to change" section, if you click on the administrator account you will have an option to create a password.

This might get you where you want to be...:)

[FrankSG]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. But, here's what happened--I had an IRQ conflict--not in my computer, but in my brain. When I said I couldn't get into the Recovery Console, I was wrong. I was in it and didn't even know that I was. At a certain point, I saw a message that said, "Which Windows installation would you like to log onto?" There were 2 options: 1: D:/MiniNT and the other was 2: C:\Windows. I always chose No. 2. Thats when I was told to enter a password. I didn't think that the No. 1 option was the correct one. So after about a half dozen tries, I thought I would choose No. 1. That worked! I typed in "help" and it gave me a list of all the commands available. I even tried a CHKDSK command to see if it would work--and it did. Sorry I threw you guys a curve--I didn't mean to.:o

[ErnieK]

If you go to the following link you will find further links down the page on how to setup and use Recovery consol.

Also you will be able to download set of floppies for XP home/prof which will give you a lot of the the tools that are on the CD.

http://www.bootdisk.com/

[FrankSG]

"Abair ach beagan is abair gu math e" Now I'm really curious, Ernie. What does it mean??

[ErnieK]

Frank
"Say but little and say it well".

It is there as a reminder to myself but I usually forget to read it :D