Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin password

I have gotten an (NLDR missing press cntrl alt del) to restart error on my old Dell

Got out the reinstallation XP disc and I am folowing the instructions from Microsoft below.

However, I cannot remember my effing Administrator password. Microsoft's help for the password issue is that they can't help you.

I cannot get the computer to boot in Safe Mode to try to change or recover the Admin password. So I am going in circles, unable to reboot :banghead

Please help


Microsofts instructions:
:bangheadConfigure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.
Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.
When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.
When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:
When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1

[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
You receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Enter Load Identifier
This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter OS Load options
When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.

Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.
Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.

 

Re: Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin passwor

Thanks for the quick reply Tim.

Did as instructed and ophcrack says it found 4/6 passwords, but then for
Administrator, User, Guest and my name is says empty.

Then, two others it says, not found. (Help Assistant and Support)

 

Re: Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin passwor

Have you tried just hitting enter key when prompted for password?

 

Re: Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin passwor

Hello,
You can reset the Administrator password using Trinity Rescue Kit. Burn the iso and then boot.

Resetting passwords

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40zDUCoysr0

Works on XP and Vista also.

 

Re: Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin passwor

Sach 2-Thank you, I don't feel super smart about not just doing that, but it worked.

TimW-Thank you so much for your help. I tried the fix you gave me and it says "Access denied" I tried the Microsoft fix and it keeps adding stuff to the boot list, but then when I go for the triumphant restart it just comes back up NLDR missing, press control, alt, delete.

 

Re: Need to fix Boot error w/instructions from Microsoft can't remember admin passwor

Hi,

I don't want to interfere but in Recovery Console when you are at the C:\Windows> prompt.
Type dir C:\
Which files are listed? Ignore the ones that say <DIR>. Do you see NTLDR or ntdetect.com in the list?