Recover User Profile

fly_rod wrote:

I was expecting a P/O or new window of some kind to appear so I could
proceed with:
It will get all account profile registry settings. No private data
is included except for account IDs and user profile path names.

2) Right-click on C:\OrgProfileList.reg and choose "Edit" to open it
with
Notepad.
...but nothing presented!!

That "The operation completed successfully" message means the registry
settings have been saved into "OrgProfileList.reg" file in drive C:.
That file should be around 12 KB.

You might want to send that "OrgProfileList.reg" file via email instead.
I'll send a copy of this message to your email (assuming I get your
email address right). Please do not post unobfuscated email address into
newsgroup.

JJ wrote:

fly_rod wrote:

I was expecting a P/O or new window of some kind to appear so I
could proceed with:
It will get all account profile registry settings. No private data
is included except for account IDs and user profile path names.

2) Right-click on C:\OrgProfileList.reg and choose "Edit" to open
it with
Notepad.
...but nothing presented!!

That "The operation completed successfully" message means the
registry settings have been saved into "OrgProfileList.reg" file in
drive C:. That file should be around 12 KB.

You might want to send that "OrgProfileList.reg" file via email
instead. I'll send a copy of this message to your email (assuming I
get your email address right). Please do not post unobfuscated email
address into newsgroup.

I can't seem to figure out your email address. The ".c0m" has been
renamed to ".com". Also tried removing the "i-" from the user name.

For my email address, remove the "_at" from the user name then use
"googlemail.com".

JJ:

I'm new to this forum. When I went to the messages utility I got:

Your administrator has disabled private messaging.

So, I couldn't retrieve your '20'.

I have "OrgProfileList.reg" in Notepad.

I was better/worse at munging my addie than intended; eh?

mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori

fly_rod irodDOTscoopsonATgmail.c0m wrote:

I'm new to this forum. When I went to the messages utility I got:
-Your administrator has disabled private messaging.-
So, I couldn't retrieve your '20'.

I have "OrgProfileList.reg" in Notepad.

I was better/worse at munging my addie than intended; eh?

mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori

OK. The mail seem got through. I just hope it doesn't endup on some
lawyer's mailbox.

And what's that "mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori"?

On Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:54:05 +0000 (UTC), JJ
wrote:

fly_rod irodDOTscoopsonATgmail.c0m wrote:

I'm new to this forum. When I went to the messages utility I got:
-Your administrator has disabled private messaging.-
So, I couldn't retrieve your '20'.

I have "OrgProfileList.reg" in Notepad.

I was better/worse at munging my addie than intended; eh?

mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori

OK. The mail seem got through. I just hope it doesn't endup on some
lawyer's mailbox.

And what's that "mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori"?

Looks like some kind of backwards-speak to me...

Char Jackson wrote:

And what's that "mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori"?

Looks like some kind of backwards-speak to me...

You're right.
It's backward except the capitalized ones, which confuses me.
But really, I'm not a bot. Honest! \( O_O,)/

When I looked at it at first glance, I read it as:
docomo... i am god... no spoon... midori...
Don't know where the heck that last one came from... -_-

Originally Posted by JJ[_7_]

Char Jackson lid wrote:

And what's that "mocDOTliamgATnospoocsDOTdori"?

Looks like some kind of backwards-speak to me...

You're right.
It's backward except the capitalized ones, which confuses me.
But really, I'm not a bot. Honest! \( O_O,)/

When I looked at it at first glance, I read it as:
docomo... i am god... no spoon... midori...
Don't know where the heck that last one came from... -_-

OK, yous' guyses; so I'm a lousy cryptologist. I'm homely, too;... and my wife dresses me.

I rationalized my addie herein and attached the errant 'OrgProfileList.reg' file to JJ via his email.

rod

fly_rod irodDOTscoopsonATgmail.c0m wrote:

I rationalized my addie herein and attached the errant
'OrgProfileList.reg' file to JJ via his email.

OK. I received the file. I've edited it and split to two files:
"ProfileFix.reg" and "ProfileRevert.reg".
I've sent them to your email.

The "ProfileFix.reg" will patch the registry to fix the "rooster"
account's profile folder to "rooster". And the "ProfileRevert.reg"
will revert that patch in case something wrong happen. I've tested
this on my own Windows XP PC (but not my own account, of course).

So here are the steps.

1. Save this newsgroup message into a text file.
e.g.: "C:\FixGuide.txt". Use this file instead, since later at some
point, you might not have access to your news client. Also you'll
need to memorize step #3-#5, since you won't have access to your
files at that stage. Or just print this message.

2. Save my email attachments into "C:\". It's only two files. So you
should have "C:\ProfileFix.reg" and "C:\ProfileRevert.reg".

3. Reboot your PC and keep tapping the F8 key repeatedly at start of
BIOS screen until you are presented with a text based menu that has a
"Safe Mode" text on it. If you see a Windows logo image instead of
that menu, that means you missed it and you need to try it again
(wait until Windows is loaded in order to restart the PC). Be sure to
press the F8 key fast enough.

4. When you get that text based menu, make sure the selection is at
the "Safe Mode" (topmost), then press ENTER. You'll get another menu
with one selection: "Microsoft Windows XP"... Then press ENTER again.
Now wait for it to load Windows.

5. You'll be prompted with user login screen. Please choose
"Administrator". This is important.

6. When you are prompted with "Windows is running in safe mode.",
click on the "Yes" button. Later, you might also be prompted to
restart because Windows has installed a new device. Please choose
"No" on this prompt.

7. Open Windows Explorer and go to "C:\Documents and Settings".

8. Make a copy the "Owner.TRIGGER" folder by selecting it (not
double-click), press CTRL-C, then press CTRL-V. The copy will be
named as "Copy of Owner.TRIGGER". Make sure you have free space. Or
copy it to another drive.

9. Rename the "Owner.TRIGGER" folder to "rooster". If a blackout
occured after you've done this, repeat the task starting at step #2
and check if the "Owner.TRIGGER" folder has been sucessfully renamed
to "rooster" or not. Then continue to next step.

10. Now, go to "C:\".

11. Double-click the "ProfileFix.reg" file to apply that patch. On
the "Are you sure you want to add..." prompt, press the "Yes" button
and press the "OK" button on the next acknowledgement dialog. In case
of blackout, repeat the task like explained in step #8 and repeat
this step, then go to next step.

12. You are done. Reboot your PC normally and without pressing the F8
key. If the text menu appeared, select "Start Windows Normally" then
press ENTER. And press ENTER again on the next "Microsoft Windows
XP..." menu selection.

13. On login screen, select "rooster" account.

14. Now check it by running the Command Prompt. It should show like
this.
--------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\rooster
--------------------------------------------------

If somehow it doesn't work, revert the fix by booting into "Safe
Mode". Use the "C:\ProfileRevert.reg" by double-clicking it like
before. If "Owner.TRIGGER" folder is present again, delete it. Rename
back the "rooster" folder into "Owner.TRIGGER". Then reboot normally.
At this point, I have no solution. All files & folders listed at end
of this message can be deleted.

If it works, next is to check you memory. Not the RAM, but your
"memory". When your profile is still "Owner.TRIGGER", what programs
have you used? I asked this because the settings for those programs
might have been changed to use "Owner.TRIGGER", instead of "rooster".
So you might want to check them.

If you have confirmed the fix worked, these can be deleted:
- "OrgProfileList.reg", "ProfileFix.reg", and "ProfileRevert.reg".
- "Copy of Owner.TRIGGER" profile folder.
- "Owner" profile folder. This is an orphan profile folder.
Note that you might need to use "Safe Mode" to delete a profile
folder.

JJ:

1. Save this newsgroup message into a text file.
e.g.: "C:\FixGuide.txt".

Action: [Downloaded and Saved newsgroup message as addendum to existing doc “C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop\ PCBanter User Profile Recovery”]

Use this file instead, since later at some
point, you might not have access to your news client. Also you'll
need to memorize step #3-#5, since you won't have access to your
files at that stage. Or just print this message.

Action: Printed Message in addition to saving as Draft email in gmail account accessible via chainloaded Hard Drive.

2. Save my email attachments into "C:\". It's only two files. So you
should have "C:\ProfileFix.reg" and "C:\ProfileRevert.reg".

Action: [Downloaded files as "C:\ProfileFix" and "C:\ProfileRevert" to "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop"]
[Copied & Saved files into Registry using Registry Editor as: “C:\ProfileFix.reg” and “C:\ProfileRevert.reg”
[Received confirmation files had been entered into registry]

Query: I can’t stat either file using “My Computer” by entering, “C:\ ProfileFix.reg” or "C:\ProfileRevert.reg" in location window. Received error message: "Cannot find 'file:///C:/ProfileFix.reg' Make sure the path or internet address is correct". (Note: alert used '/' instead of '\'.) Likewise, neither file appears in the list of folders and files per “Directory of C:\’ using cmd module.

Please advise.

rod

fly_rod irodDOTscoopsonATgmail.c0m wrote:

1. Save this newsgroup message into a text file.
e.g.: "C:\FixGuide.txt".
Action: [Downloaded and Saved newsgroup message as addendum to
existing doc “C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop\
PCBanter User Profile Recovery”]
Use this file instead, since later at some
point, you might not have access to your news client. Also
you'll need to memorize step #3-#5, since you won't have access
to your files at that stage. Or just print this message.
Action: Printed Message in addition to saving as Draft email in
gmail account accessible via chainloaded Hard Drive.
2. Save my email attachments into "C:\". It's only two files.
So you should have "C:\ProfileFix.reg" and
"C:\ProfileRevert.reg".
Action: [Downloaded files as "C:\ProfileFix" and
"C:\ProfileRevert" to "C:\Documents and
Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop"] [Copied & Saved files into
Registry using Registry Editor as: “C:\ProfileFix.reg” and
“C:\ProfileRevert.reg” [*Received confirmation files had been
entered into registry*]

Query: I can’t stat either file using “My Computer” by entering,
“C:\ ProfileFix.reg” or "C:\ProfileRevert.reg" in location
window. Received error message: "Cannot find
'file:///C:/ProfileFix.reg' Make sure the path or internet
address is correct". (*Note:* alert used '/' instead of '\'.)
Likewise, neither file appears in the list of folders and files
per “Directory of C:\’ using cmd module.

Please double-click the "ProfileRevert.reg" in our desktop and
press "Yes" to apply it.

If you can't find it, open Windows and go to this directory:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop
The file should be there. Double-click it and apply it.

If you still can't find it, use the Search menu from Windows Start
button to find a file named "ProfileRevert.reg" in your "C:\". You
need to apply that one file to avoid more damage. Leave the
"ProfileFix.reg" alone.

I'm sorry to say but honestly, that at this point, I strongly
suggest that you to seek help from a friend who knows more about
Windows. That guide is too risky to follow if you're not familiar
with Windows.

Originally Posted by JJ;[_7_

]Please double-click the "ProfileRevert.reg" in our desktop and
press "Yes" to apply it.

If you can't find it, open Windows and go to this directory:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.TRIGGER\Desktop
The file should be there. Double-click it and apply it.

If you still can't find it, use the Search menu from Windows Start
button to find a file named "ProfileRevert.reg" in your "C:\". You
need to apply that one file to avoid more damage. Leave the
"ProfileFix.reg" alone.

I'm sorry to say but honestly, that at this point, I strongly
suggest that you to seek help from a friend who knows more about
Windows. That guide is too risky to follow if you're not familiar
with Windows.

JJ:

The files appeared on my desktop titled: "C:\ProfileFix" and "C:\ProfileRevert". Note: ".reg" was/is not appended. I did "Apply" them using the Registry Editor and, as I wrote, a confirmation notice appeared. Perhaps it wasn't clear from my query. The issue that concerned me was whether or not a conventional file search should acquire those files with the ".reg"? I was hoping for a response indicating this was not an issue. I'm just being extra careful; don't you see...

rod

fly_rod irodDOTscoopsonATgmail.c0m wrote:

The files appeared on my desktop titled: "C:\ProfileFix" and
"C:\ProfileRevert". Note: ".reg" was/is not appended. I did
"Apply" them using the Registry Editor and, as I wrote, a
confirmation notice appeared. Perhaps it wasn't clear from my
query. The issue that concerned me was whether or not a
conventional file search _should_ acquire those files with the
".reg"? I was hoping for a response indicating this was not an
issue. I'm just being extra careful; don't you see...

Quote:
[*Received confirmation files had been entered into registry*]

Whether you actually pressed the "Yes" button at that confirmation
dialog or not, you shouldn't have "applied" it in the first place.
I assumed you have already did, so I gave an instruction to undo it
immediately. I'm really worried if I'm actually causing damage
rather than helping. Perhaps you may want to read the guide
thoroughly first and ask if you don't understand something?

In the mean time, please follow the instructions that is kindly
provided by Char Jackson.

Originally Posted by JJ;

Whether you actually pressed the "Yes" button at that confirmation
dialog or not, you shouldn't have "applied" it in the first place.
I assumed you have already did, so I gave an instruction to undo it
immediately. I'm really worried if I'm actually causing damage
rather than helping. Perhaps you may want to read the guide
thoroughly first and ask if you don't understand something?

In the mean time, please follow the instructions that is kindly
provided by Char Jackson.

JJ & Char;
I was away sailing with the family for a few days.

WRT "Applied" it: Only 2 options presented when I double-clicked the file(s) on my Desktop.
1. Open in NotePad
2. Open in Registry Editor.
When I double-clicked either one the same message appeared with.words to the effect, 'Do you want to apply this file to registry?' [Yes] [No] To the best of my understanding, your 'guide' told me to press [Yes] at that point. I had to signal one or the other; [No] just closed the dialog box and nothing happened. So I took the [Yes] option for both files.

When you wrote:

.. gave an instruction to undo it immediately.

... I assume you are referring to;

If somehow it doesn't work, revert the fix by booting into "Safe Mode". Use the "C:\ProfileRevert.reg" by double-clicking it like before. If "Owner.TRIGGER" folder is present again, delete it. Rename back the "rooster" folder into "Owner.TRIGGER". Then reboot normally. At this point, I have no solution. All files & folders listed at end of this message can be deleted.

. Note that I did reboot into Windows normally once and a pristine "rooster' profile was the only profile that presented at the login screen.

Also, I'm assuming I can effect Char's Rx to uncheck "Hide file extensions..." while in Safe Mode before proceeding with your regime.

I appreciate trying to fix someone else's PC can be a real PITA. You had no way to know mine was configured to ignore file extensions for security reasons, and I had no way to know it was a consideration.

rod