WinXP Home - All User Accounts Lost

[larryU]

My son called from college, said that after he rebooted his WinXp Home
machine there were no User Accounts listed on the Welcome Page.
Usually he gets his account listed because he has a password. He tried
to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del but the blank
password is not working today (it did in the past).

He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the CD but it wants
the Administrator's account and password as well.

He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000 CD, hoping the
recovery console will help him.

I have found the links to ERD Commander but am looking for a less
expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the boot disk at
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.

Any other solutions that you can suggest will be appreciated. Also,
what do you think has happened to his machine? It is a year old Dell,
is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?

thanks
larry

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at the Welcome Screen for
the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must boot the computer into
Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP home does not prompt you
for an Administrator password at setup, so for Recovery Console, try leaving
it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home, the CD is bootable as
well, and has its own Recovery Console.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryU" > wrote in message
om...
> My son called from college, said that after he rebooted his WinXp Home
> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the Welcome Page.
> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a password. He tried
> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del but the blank
> password is not working today (it did in the past).
>
> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the CD but it wants
> the Administrator's account and password as well.
>
> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000 CD, hoping the
> recovery console will help him.
>
> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am looking for a less
> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the boot disk at
> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>
> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be appreciated. Also,
> what do you think has happened to his machine? It is a year old Dell,
> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
>
> thanks
> larry

[Jack Seredyniecki]

Whatever you do, do NOT boot the XP machine with a Win 2000 CD. You'll
screw it up.

"larryU" > wrote in message
om...
> My son called from college, said that after he rebooted his WinXp Home
> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the Welcome Page.
> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a password. He tried
> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del but the blank
> password is not working today (it did in the past).
>
> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the CD but it wants
> the Administrator's account and password as well.
>
> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000 CD, hoping the
> recovery console will help him.
>
> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am looking for a less
> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the boot disk at
> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>
> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be appreciated. Also,
> what do you think has happened to his machine? It is a year old Dell,
> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
>
> thanks
> larry

[larryu]

Doug

He did try to login in safe mode with the admin account,
and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair. Did
not work with the blank password. But the blank password
has worked in the past, but he has not used it recently.

But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me of
something I forgot in my posting. The error he is getting
when he puts the user name/password in contains the
phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when he
enters his user account name, as well as the
administrator account.

One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to WinXP
Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem and
not ask him for the admin password. Any thoughts/comments
on this plan would be appreciated.

larry

>-----Original Message-----
>XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at
the Welcome Screen for
>the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must boot
the computer into
>Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP home
does not prompt you
>for an Administrator password at setup, so for Recovery
Console, try leaving
>it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home,
the CD is bootable as
>well, and has its own Recovery Console.
>
>--
>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>http://www.dougknox.com
>--------------------------------
>Associate Expert
>ExpertZone -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>--------------------------------
>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
>"larryU" > wrote in message
om...
>> My son called from college, said that after he
rebooted his WinXp Home
>> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
Welcome Page.
>> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a
password. He tried
>> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del but
the blank
>> password is not working today (it did in the past).
>>
>> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the CD
but it wants
>> the Administrator's account and password as well.
>>
>> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000 CD,
hoping the
>> recovery console will help him.
>>
>> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am looking
for a less
>> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the boot
disk at
>> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>>
>> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
appreciated. Also,
>> what do you think has happened to his machine? It is a
year old Dell,
>> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
>>
>> thanks
>> larry
>
>
>.
>

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings in place. I wouldn't
count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryu" > wrote in message
...
> Doug
>
> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin account,
> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair. Did
> not work with the blank password. But the blank password
> has worked in the past, but he has not used it recently.
>
> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me of
> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is getting
> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when he
> enters his user account name, as well as the
> administrator account.
>
> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to WinXP
> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem and
> not ask him for the admin password. Any thoughts/comments
> on this plan would be appreciated.
>
> larry
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at
> the Welcome Screen for
> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must boot
> the computer into
> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP home
> does not prompt you
> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for Recovery
> Console, try leaving
> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home,
> the CD is bootable as
> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
> >
> >--
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Associate Expert
> >ExpertZone -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >
> >"larryU" > wrote in message
> om...
> >> My son called from college, said that after he
> rebooted his WinXp Home
> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
> Welcome Page.
> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a
> password. He tried
> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del but
> the blank
> >> password is not working today (it did in the past).
> >>
> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the CD
> but it wants
> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
> >>
> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000 CD,
> hoping the
> >> recovery console will help him.
> >>
> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am looking
> for a less
> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the boot
> disk at
> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
> >>
> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
> appreciated. Also,
> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It is a
> year old Dell,
> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
> >>
> >> thanks
> >> larry
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[larryu]

Doug

Thanks for the quick reply.

Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like some
link is broken in the security process.

BTW, the linux program was able to see his account and
the administrator's account. He reset the administrator's
account to a non-blank value but still gets the error.

There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the OS?
If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean install
the only other option? I did read about a registry
setting that will show/hide a user account on the Welcome
Page but I don't know how to change the registry if we
can't logon.

Thanks for your help
larry

>-----Original Message-----
>The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings in
place. I wouldn't
>count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.
>
>--
>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>http://www.dougknox.com
>--------------------------------
>Associate Expert
>ExpertZone -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>--------------------------------
>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
>"larryu" > wrote in message
...
>> Doug
>>
>> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
account,
>> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair. Did
>> not work with the blank password. But the blank
password
>> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
recently.
>>
>> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me of
>> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
getting
>> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
>> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when he
>> enters his user account name, as well as the
>> administrator account.
>>
>> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
WinXP
>> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem
and
>> not ask him for the admin password. Any
thoughts/comments
>> on this plan would be appreciated.
>>
>> larry
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at
>> the Welcome Screen for
>> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must
boot
>> the computer into
>> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP
home
>> does not prompt you
>> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
Recovery
>> Console, try leaving
>> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home,
>> the CD is bootable as
>> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
>> >
>> >--
>> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Associate Expert
>> >ExpertZone -
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >
>> >"larryU" > wrote in message
>>
om...
>> >> My son called from college, said that after he
>> rebooted his WinXp Home
>> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
>> Welcome Page.
>> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a
>> password. He tried
>> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del
but
>> the blank
>> >> password is not working today (it did in the past).
>> >>
>> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the
CD
>> but it wants
>> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
>> >>
>> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000
CD,
>> hoping the
>> >> recovery console will help him.
>> >>
>> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
looking
>> for a less
>> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the
boot
>> disk at
>> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>> >>
>> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
>> appreciated. Also,
>> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It
is a
>> year old Dell,
>> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
>> >>
>> >> thanks
>> >> larry
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Its virtually impossible to edit the Registry if you can't logon, but check
the password reset disk you used. I think I remember seeing something about
a registry editing function on it (been awhile).

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryu" > wrote in message
...
> Doug
>
> Thanks for the quick reply.
>
> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like some
> link is broken in the security process.
>
> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account and
> the administrator's account. He reset the administrator's
> account to a non-blank value but still gets the error.
>
> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the OS?
> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean install
> the only other option? I did read about a registry
> setting that will show/hide a user account on the Welcome
> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if we
> can't logon.
>
> Thanks for your help
> larry
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings in
> place. I wouldn't
> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.
> >
> >--
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Associate Expert
> >ExpertZone -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >
> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Doug
> >>
> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
> account,
> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair. Did
> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
> password
> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
> recently.
> >>
> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me of
> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
> getting
> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when he
> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
> >> administrator account.
> >>
> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
> WinXP
> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem
> and
> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
> thoughts/comments
> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
> >>
> >> larry
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at
> >> the Welcome Screen for
> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must
> boot
> >> the computer into
> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP
> home
> >> does not prompt you
> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
> Recovery
> >> Console, try leaving
> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home,
> >> the CD is bootable as
> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >
> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
> >>
> om...
> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
> >> Welcome Page.
> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a
> >> password. He tried
> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del
> but
> >> the blank
> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the past).
> >> >>
> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the
> CD
> >> but it wants
> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
> >> >>
> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000
> CD,
> >> hoping the
> >> >> recovery console will help him.
> >> >>
> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
> looking
> >> for a less
> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the
> boot
> >> disk at
> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
> >> >>
> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
> >> appreciated. Also,
> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It
> is a
> >> year old Dell,
> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
> >> >>
> >> >> thanks
> >> >> larry
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

No information on the invalid handle error :(

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryu" > wrote in message
...
> Doug
>
> Thanks for the quick reply.
>
> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like some
> link is broken in the security process.
>
> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account and
> the administrator's account. He reset the administrator's
> account to a non-blank value but still gets the error.
>
> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the OS?
> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean install
> the only other option? I did read about a registry
> setting that will show/hide a user account on the Welcome
> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if we
> can't logon.
>
> Thanks for your help
> larry
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings in
> place. I wouldn't
> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.
> >
> >--
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Associate Expert
> >ExpertZone -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >
> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Doug
> >>
> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
> account,
> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair. Did
> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
> password
> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
> recently.
> >>
> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me of
> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
> getting
> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when he
> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
> >> administrator account.
> >>
> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
> WinXP
> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem
> and
> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
> thoughts/comments
> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
> >>
> >> larry
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick at
> >> the Welcome Screen for
> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must
> boot
> >> the computer into
> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP
> home
> >> does not prompt you
> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
> Recovery
> >> Console, try leaving
> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP Home,
> >> the CD is bootable as
> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >
> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
> >>
> om...
> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
> >> Welcome Page.
> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he has a
> >> password. He tried
> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del
> but
> >> the blank
> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the past).
> >> >>
> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from the
> CD
> >> but it wants
> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
> >> >>
> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000
> CD,
> >> hoping the
> >> >> recovery console will help him.
> >> >>
> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
> looking
> >> for a less
> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the
> boot
> >> disk at
> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
> >> >>
> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
> >> appreciated. Also,
> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It
> is a
> >> year old Dell,
> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
> >> >>
> >> >> thanks
> >> >> larry
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[larryu]

Any other place/newsgroup where I can raise this question?

>-----Original Message-----
>No information on the invalid handle error :(
>
>--
>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>http://www.dougknox.com
>--------------------------------
>Associate Expert
>ExpertZone -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>--------------------------------
>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
>"larryu" > wrote in message
...
>> Doug
>>
>> Thanks for the quick reply.
>>
>> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like
some
>> link is broken in the security process.
>>
>> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account and
>> the administrator's account. He reset the
administrator's
>> account to a non-blank value but still gets the error.
>>
>> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the
OS?
>> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean install
>> the only other option? I did read about a registry
>> setting that will show/hide a user account on the
Welcome
>> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if we
>> can't logon.
>>
>> Thanks for your help
>> larry
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings
in
>> place. I wouldn't
>> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.
>> >
>> >--
>> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Associate Expert
>> >ExpertZone -
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >
>> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Doug
>> >>
>> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
>> account,
>> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair.
Did
>> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
>> password
>> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
>> recently.
>> >>
>> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me
of
>> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
>> getting
>> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
>> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when
he
>> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
>> >> administrator account.
>> >>
>> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
>> WinXP
>> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem
>> and
>> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
>> thoughts/comments
>> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
>> >>
>> >> larry
>> >>
>> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick
at
>> >> the Welcome Screen for
>> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must
>> boot
>> >> the computer into
>> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP
>> home
>> >> does not prompt you
>> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
>> Recovery
>> >> Console, try leaving
>> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP
Home,
>> >> the CD is bootable as
>> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
>> >> >
>> >> >--
>> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
benefit.
>> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >
>> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
>> >>
>>
om...
>> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
>> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
>> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
>> >> Welcome Page.
>> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he
has a
>> >> password. He tried
>> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del
>> but
>> >> the blank
>> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the
past).
>> >> >>
>> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from
the
>> CD
>> >> but it wants
>> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000
>> CD,
>> >> hoping the
>> >> >> recovery console will help him.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
>> looking
>> >> for a less
>> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the
>> boot
>> >> disk at
>> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
>> >> appreciated. Also,
>> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It
>> is a
>> >> year old Dell,
>> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> thanks
>> >> >> larry
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >.
>> >> >
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Try a search at www.google.com or http://groups.google.com for the exact
phrase.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryu" > wrote in message
...
>
> Any other place/newsgroup where I can raise this question?
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >No information on the invalid handle error :(
> >
> >--
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Associate Expert
> >ExpertZone -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >
> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Doug
> >>
> >> Thanks for the quick reply.
> >>
> >> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like
> some
> >> link is broken in the security process.
> >>
> >> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account and
> >> the administrator's account. He reset the
> administrator's
> >> account to a non-blank value but still gets the error.
> >>
> >> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the
> OS?
> >> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean install
> >> the only other option? I did read about a registry
> >> setting that will show/hide a user account on the
> Welcome
> >> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if we
> >> can't logon.
> >>
> >> Thanks for your help
> >> larry
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings
> in
> >> place. I wouldn't
> >> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it might.
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >
> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Doug
> >> >>
> >> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
> >> account,
> >> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery repair.
> Did
> >> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
> >> password
> >> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
> >> recently.
> >> >>
> >> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me
> of
> >> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
> >> getting
> >> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains the
> >> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error when
> he
> >> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
> >> >> administrator account.
> >> >>
> >> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
> >> WinXP
> >> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the problem
> >> and
> >> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
> >> thoughts/comments
> >> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
> >> >>
> >> >> larry
> >> >>
> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL trick
> at
> >> >> the Welcome Screen for
> >> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you must
> >> boot
> >> >> the computer into
> >> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default, XP
> >> home
> >> >> does not prompt you
> >> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
> >> Recovery
> >> >> Console, try leaving
> >> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP
> Home,
> >> >> the CD is bootable as
> >> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >--
> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
> benefit.
> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
> >> >>
> >>
> om...
> >> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
> >> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
> >> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on the
> >> >> Welcome Page.
> >> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he
> has a
> >> >> password. He tried
> >> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-del
> >> but
> >> >> the blank
> >> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the
> past).
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from
> the
> >> CD
> >> >> but it wants
> >> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as well.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a Win2000
> >> CD,
> >> >> hoping the
> >> >> >> recovery console will help him.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
> >> looking
> >> >> for a less
> >> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is the
> >> boot
> >> >> disk at
> >> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will be
> >> >> appreciated. Also,
> >> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine? It
> >> is a
> >> >> year old Dell,
> >> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm, or ?
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> thanks
> >> >> >> larry
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >.
> >> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[larryu]

Doug

Thanks again for your help. I started with Google with no
luck except for Photoshop errors.

Do you think it is a registry problem or a supporting
file? I found a good article (307545) in MSDN for
restoring the registry from a previous restore point. But
I am not sure this is a registry problem.

larry

>-----Original Message-----
>Try a search at www.google.com or
http://groups.google.com for the exact
>phrase.
>
>--
>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>http://www.dougknox.com
>--------------------------------
>Associate Expert
>ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>--------------------------------
>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
>"larryu" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> Any other place/newsgroup where I can raise this
question?
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >No information on the invalid handle error :(
>> >
>> >--
>> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Associate Expert
>> >ExpertZone -
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >
>> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Doug
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for the quick reply.
>> >>
>> >> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like
>> some
>> >> link is broken in the security process.
>> >>
>> >> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account
and
>> >> the administrator's account. He reset the
>> administrator's
>> >> account to a non-blank value but still gets the
error.
>> >>
>> >> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the
>> OS?
>> >> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean
install
>> >> the only other option? I did read about a registry
>> >> setting that will show/hide a user account on the
>> Welcome
>> >> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if
we
>> >> can't logon.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for your help
>> >> larry
>> >>
>> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings
>> in
>> >> place. I wouldn't
>> >> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it
might.
>> >> >
>> >> >--
>> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
benefit.
>> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >
>> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >> Doug
>> >> >>
>> >> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
>> >> account,
>> >> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery
repair.
>> Did
>> >> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
>> >> password
>> >> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
>> >> recently.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me
>> of
>> >> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
>> >> getting
>> >> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains
the
>> >> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error
when
>> he
>> >> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
>> >> >> administrator account.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
>> >> WinXP
>> >> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the
problem
>> >> and
>> >> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
>> >> thoughts/comments
>> >> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> larry
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL
trick
>> at
>> >> >> the Welcome Screen for
>> >> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you
must
>> >> boot
>> >> >> the computer into
>> >> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default,
XP
>> >> home
>> >> >> does not prompt you
>> >> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
>> >> Recovery
>> >> >> Console, try leaving
>> >> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP
>> Home,
>> >> >> the CD is bootable as
>> >> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >--
>> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart
Display
>> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
>> benefit.
>> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> om...
>> >> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
>> >> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
>> >> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on
the
>> >> >> Welcome Page.
>> >> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he
>> has a
>> >> >> password. He tried
>> >> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-
del
>> >> but
>> >> >> the blank
>> >> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the
>> past).
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from
>> the
>> >> CD
>> >> >> but it wants
>> >> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as
well.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a
Win2000
>> >> CD,
>> >> >> hoping the
>> >> >> >> recovery console will help him.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
>> >> looking
>> >> >> for a less
>> >> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is
the
>> >> boot
>> >> >> disk at
>> >> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will
be
>> >> >> appreciated. Also,
>> >> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine?
It
>> >> is a
>> >> >> year old Dell,
>> >> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm,
or ?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> thanks
>> >> >> >> larry
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >.
>> >> >
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

It could be a reference to a security descriptor, or it could be a program
error. I really don't know, Larry. :(

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"larryu" > wrote in message
...
> Doug
>
> Thanks again for your help. I started with Google with no
> luck except for Photoshop errors.
>
> Do you think it is a registry problem or a supporting
> file? I found a good article (307545) in MSDN for
> restoring the registry from a previous restore point. But
> I am not sure this is a registry problem.
>
> larry
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Try a search at www.google.com or
> http://groups.google.com for the exact
> >phrase.
> >
> >--
> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >--------------------------------
> >Associate Expert
> >ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >--------------------------------
> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >
> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >> Any other place/newsgroup where I can raise this
> question?
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >No information on the invalid handle error :(
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >
> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Doug
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks for the quick reply.
> >> >>
> >> >> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me like
> >> some
> >> >> link is broken in the security process.
> >> >>
> >> >> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account
> and
> >> >> the administrator's account. He reset the
> >> administrator's
> >> >> account to a non-blank value but still gets the
> error.
> >> >>
> >> >> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade the
> >> OS?
> >> >> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean
> install
> >> >> the only other option? I did read about a registry
> >> >> setting that will show/hide a user account on the
> >> Welcome
> >> >> Page but I don't know how to change the registry if
> we
> >> >> can't logon.
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks for your help
> >> >> larry
> >> >>
> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and settings
> >> in
> >> >> place. I wouldn't
> >> >> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it
> might.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >--
> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
> benefit.
> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
> >> >> ...
> >> >> >> Doug
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
> >> >> account,
> >> >> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery
> repair.
> >> Did
> >> >> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
> >> >> password
> >> >> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
> >> >> recently.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> But, I just talked to him again and he reminded me
> >> of
> >> >> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he is
> >> >> getting
> >> >> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains
> the
> >> >> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error
> when
> >> he
> >> >> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
> >> >> >> administrator account.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade him to
> >> >> WinXP
> >> >> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the
> problem
> >> >> and
> >> >> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
> >> >> thoughts/comments
> >> >> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> larry
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL
> trick
> >> at
> >> >> >> the Welcome Screen for
> >> >> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you
> must
> >> >> boot
> >> >> >> the computer into
> >> >> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By default,
> XP
> >> >> home
> >> >> >> does not prompt you
> >> >> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
> >> >> Recovery
> >> >> >> Console, try leaving
> >> >> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of XP
> >> Home,
> >> >> >> the CD is bootable as
> >> >> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >--
> >> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart
> Display
> >> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> >> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
> >> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >> >Associate Expert
> >> >> >> >ExpertZone -
> >> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> >> >> >--------------------------------
> >> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
> >> benefit.
> >> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >"larryU" > wrote in message
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> om...
> >> >> >> >> My son called from college, said that after he
> >> >> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
> >> >> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed on
> the
> >> >> >> Welcome Page.
> >> >> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because he
> >> has a
> >> >> >> password. He tried
> >> >> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-alt-
> del
> >> >> but
> >> >> >> the blank
> >> >> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the
> >> past).
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation from
> >> the
> >> >> CD
> >> >> >> but it wants
> >> >> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as
> well.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a
> Win2000
> >> >> CD,
> >> >> >> hoping the
> >> >> >> >> recovery console will help him.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but am
> >> >> looking
> >> >> >> for a less
> >> >> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is
> the
> >> >> boot
> >> >> >> disk at
> >> >> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest will
> be
> >> >> >> appreciated. Also,
> >> >> >> >> what do you think has happened to his machine?
> It
> >> >> is a
> >> >> >> year old Dell,
> >> >> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm,
> or ?
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> thanks
> >> >> >> >> larry
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >.
> >> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[larryu]

thanks again for your help.

unfortunately we seem to have little choice but to install
a clean copy of WinXP :(


>-----Original Message-----
>It could be a reference to a security descriptor, or it
could be a program
>error. I really don't know, Larry. :(
>
>--
>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>http://www.dougknox.com
>--------------------------------
>Associate Expert
>ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>--------------------------------
>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
>"larryu" > wrote in message
...
>> Doug
>>
>> Thanks again for your help. I started with Google with
no
>> luck except for Photoshop errors.
>>
>> Do you think it is a registry problem or a supporting
>> file? I found a good article (307545) in MSDN for
>> restoring the registry from a previous restore point.
But
>> I am not sure this is a registry problem.
>>
>> larry
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >Try a search at www.google.com or
>> http://groups.google.com for the exact
>> >phrase.
>> >
>> >--
>> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Associate Expert
>> >ExpertZone -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >--------------------------------
>> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >
>> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >>
>> >> Any other place/newsgroup where I can raise this
>> question?
>> >>
>> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >No information on the invalid handle error :(
>> >> >
>> >> >--
>> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
>> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
benefit.
>> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >
>> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >> Doug
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Thanks for the quick reply.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Any guesses on 'handle is invalid'? Seems to me
like
>> >> some
>> >> >> link is broken in the security process.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> BTW, the linux program was able to see his account
>> and
>> >> >> the administrator's account. He reset the
>> >> administrator's
>> >> >> account to a non-blank value but still gets the
>> error.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> There must be a better fix than to reload/upgrade
the
>> >> OS?
>> >> >> If the upgrade to Pro does not help, is a clean
>> install
>> >> >> the only other option? I did read about a registry
>> >> >> setting that will show/hide a user account on the
>> >> Welcome
>> >> >> Page but I don't know how to change the registry
if
>> we
>> >> >> can't logon.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Thanks for your help
>> >> >> larry
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >> >The upgrade tends to keep user accounts and
settings
>> >> in
>> >> >> place. I wouldn't
>> >> >> >count on it correcting a password issue, but it
>> might.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >--
>> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart
Display
>> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
>> benefit.
>> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >"larryu" > wrote in message
>> >> >> ...
>> >> >> >> Doug
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> He did try to login in safe mode with the admin
>> >> >> account,
>> >> >> >> and tried from the cd to perform a recovery
>> repair.
>> >> Did
>> >> >> >> not work with the blank password. But the blank
>> >> >> password
>> >> >> >> has worked in the past, but he has not used it
>> >> >> recently.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> But, I just talked to him again and he
reminded me
>> >> of
>> >> >> >> something I forgot in my posting. The error he
is
>> >> >> getting
>> >> >> >> when he puts the user name/password in contains
>> the
>> >> >> >> phrase "handle is invalid". He gets that error
>> when
>> >> he
>> >> >> >> enters his user account name, as well as the
>> >> >> >> administrator account.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> One option we are thinking of is to upgrade
him to
>> >> >> WinXP
>> >> >> >> Pro. Hopeful that the upgrade will 'fix' the
>> problem
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> >> not ask him for the admin password. Any
>> >> >> thoughts/comments
>> >> >> >> on this plan would be appreciated.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> larry
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >> >> >XP Home has never supported the CTRL-ALT-DEL
>> trick
>> >> at
>> >> >> >> the Welcome Screen for
>> >> >> >> >the Administrator account. For XP Home, you
>> must
>> >> >> boot
>> >> >> >> the computer into
>> >> >> >> >Safe Mode to access this account. By
default,
>> XP
>> >> >> home
>> >> >> >> does not prompt you
>> >> >> >> >for an Administrator password at setup, so for
>> >> >> Recovery
>> >> >> >> Console, try leaving
>> >> >> >> >it blank. Also, if he has a full version of
XP
>> >> Home,
>> >> >> >> the CD is bootable as
>> >> >> >> >well, and has its own Recovery Console.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >--
>> >> >> >> >Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart
>> Display
>> >> >> >> >Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>> >> >> >> >http://www.dougknox.com
>> >> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >> >Associate Expert
>> >> >> >> >ExpertZone -
>> >> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >> >> >> >--------------------------------
>> >> >> >> >Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may
>> >> benefit.
>> >> >> >> >Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >"larryU" > wrote in
message
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
om...
>> >> >> >> >> My son called from college, said that after
he
>> >> >> >> rebooted his WinXp Home
>> >> >> >> >> machine there were no User Accounts listed
on
>> the
>> >> >> >> Welcome Page.
>> >> >> >> >> Usually he gets his account listed because
he
>> >> has a
>> >> >> >> password. He tried
>> >> >> >> >> to use the Administrator's account by ctl-
alt-
>> del
>> >> >> but
>> >> >> >> the blank
>> >> >> >> >> password is not working today (it did in the
>> >> past).
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> He has tried to do a 'repair' installation
from
>> >> the
>> >> >> CD
>> >> >> >> but it wants
>> >> >> >> >> the Administrator's account and password as
>> well.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> He is trying to reboot the machine with a
>> Win2000
>> >> >> CD,
>> >> >> >> hoping the
>> >> >> >> >> recovery console will help him.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> I have found the links to ERD Commander but
am
>> >> >> looking
>> >> >> >> for a less
>> >> >> >> >> expense ($199) solution. Next on the list is
>> the
>> >> >> boot
>> >> >> >> disk at
>> >> >> >> >> http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/.
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> Any other solutions that you can suggest
will
>> be
>> >> >> >> appreciated. Also,
>> >> >> >> >> what do you think has happened to his
machine?
>> It
>> >> >> is a
>> >> >> >> year old Dell,
>> >> >> >> >> is this a hard drive problem, a virus/worm,
>> or ?
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> thanks
>> >> >> >> >> larry
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >.
>> >> >
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>