hdhillis
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Unable to log into Windows XP Pro after changing system drive letter
I am running Windows XP Professional SP 2. When I originally installed XP, the drive letter assigned to the hard drive was F. Today, I came across instructions to change the drive letter by modifying HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ MountedDev ices only. After restarting the system, I get the login splash screen but no listing of login accounts.
I do not have network access to that computer. But I can boot using the installation disk and get into the recovery console. I have tried FIXMBR, but that has not solved the problem. Is there a way to modify the registry through the recovery console?
I do not have network access to that computer. But I can boot using the installation disk and get into the recovery console. I have tried FIXMBR, but that has not solved the problem. Is there a way to modify the registry through the recovery console?
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You can also edit the Registry from a command line:
http://www.petri.co.il/reg_command_in_windows_xp.htm
though the above suggestions are probably easier to work with.
As said already, you can't change the boot device letter without re-installing. See e.g.:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223769
http://www.petri.co.il/reg_command_in_windows_xp.htm
though the above suggestions are probably easier to work with.
As said already, you can't change the boot device letter without re-installing. See e.g.:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223769
ASKER
Thanks to all who have commented. I downloaded UBCD and tried to use the offline registry editor, but it proved to be to esoteric for me to use. Then I made a BarTPE CD and used regedit to reverse my drive letter assignments using the directions at http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm . After rebooting, I still got the blank login screen. I then tried deleting the path to userinit.exe as suggested in Q_20643424.html, and I still got the blank login screen. Finally, I deleted all the values in HKLM\System\MountedDevices as suggested in Q_20555533.html, but same story.
Is my only solution to re-install Windows XP Pro? If so, will I be able to save my data files in MyDocuments?
Believe me, I have learned a painful lesson here.
Is my only solution to re-install Windows XP Pro? If so, will I be able to save my data files in MyDocuments?
Believe me, I have learned a painful lesson here.
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Forgot to tell you that you have to goto safe mode with command prompt to use system restore, the following command will bring you system restore...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449
hope this helps
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449
hope this helps
ASKER
sramesh2k
Thanks for the URLs. I am familiar with both. Yes, I did double-check the steps I followed.
r-k
I did boot with BartPE and went into the Command Prompt. After navigating to my user account in Documents and Settings, I could not find My Documents directory. There was a WINDOWS directory and NTUSER.DAT and reglog.txt files. Where would I find My Documents for my user account?
moh10ly
I am unable to log in under Safe Mode. Is there a way to do what you suggest when booting with BartPE?
Thank you all for your continuing suggestions.
Thanks for the URLs. I am familiar with both. Yes, I did double-check the steps I followed.
r-k
I did boot with BartPE and went into the Command Prompt. After navigating to my user account in Documents and Settings, I could not find My Documents directory. There was a WINDOWS directory and NTUSER.DAT and reglog.txt files. Where would I find My Documents for my user account?
moh10ly
I am unable to log in under Safe Mode. Is there a way to do what you suggest when booting with BartPE?
Thank you all for your continuing suggestions.
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ASKER
r-k
Thank you! A43 makes all the difference. I located My Documents and have successfully copied my data files to an external drive. Later today, I will begin the re-install of Windows XP Pro.
Thank you! A43 makes all the difference. I located My Documents and have successfully copied my data files to an external drive. Later today, I will begin the re-install of Windows XP Pro.
ASKER
I would like to thank all of you that contributed suggestions. Last night, I reinstalled Win XP Pro successfully. Previous to the install, I used BartPE's A43 program to copy My Documents to an external drive. That step saved me a lot of time and grief since the re-install deleted the previous My Documents.
Excellent. Thanks for the feedback.
http://packages.debian.org/unstable/admin/chntpw