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9.2

All profiles are deleted, cannot log into Windows

Asked by netsmithcentral in Windows XP Operating System, Miscellaneous

Tags: deleted user profiles, SAM, XP Home, registry, malware

I have a PC I'm working on who has a.... "unique" problem. It would appear that all the user profiles including the Administrator and Guest have disappeared. This is preventing all ability to log into the computer.  At first I thought for sure this was an obvious problem, the profiles have simply been removed from the welcome screen.  Since this is a Windows XP Home computer, normal access to the Administrator profile is restricted, but not through Safe Mode. However Safe Mode I would come to find was held under the same scrutiny as the normal welcome screen.

So by now I'm sure you have an idea of the next logical step! (I'm right there with you) I used a linux-based SAM editor that I mainly use to reset the administrator or other profile passwords when they have been forgotten or hacked. The venom of the problem is about to sink in...

Once booted, and where it needs to be to reset the passwords there were no profiles listed. A query of all users in registry was requested, and for the first time in my time as a tech, I found not a single user was in the registry, no Guest, no Admin, no users, no QBDataUser, Remote User, not even Beck performing "Loser", I mean nothing! The sign in front of me says "you are here", and so we are. I've scoured the net looking for similar issues... none so far.

I know I can pull the drive, port the data, and re-install Windows, but I sense through The Force that there may yet be a path to the light here in our darkest hour...

...Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi... you're my only hope...
[+][-]06/10/09 10:19 AM, ID: 24593884Accepted Solution

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About this solution

Zones: Windows XP Operating System, Miscellaneous
Tags: deleted user profiles, SAM, XP Home, registry, malware
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Solution Provided By: flubbster
Participating Experts: 2
Solution Grade: A
 
[+][-]06/10/09 10:20 AM, ID: 24593892Expert Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 11:27 AM, ID: 24594544Author Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 11:31 AM, ID: 24594599Author Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 11:49 AM, ID: 24594778Author Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 12:04 PM, ID: 24594933Expert Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 12:18 PM, ID: 24595115Author Comment

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[+][-]06/10/09 01:02 PM, ID: 24595708Expert Comment

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