Recovery Console Password

Hi,
We are trying to use the Recovery Console.
When we start it they ask for our password. We have assigned a password for our Computer Administrator but the Recovery Console will not accept this password.

Does anyone know what kind of password is required to start the Recovery Console?

Thanks

 

If XP came preinstalled on your computer, take a look at the MS KB article, 'The Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to Recovery Console in Windows XP.

 

Hi Miz,
Thanks for the reply.
I checked the KB article you refered to and you have to call Microsoft for the Hotfix, at a cost of $245.00 per call.
Microsoft isn't satisfied with getting paid for Windows XP but they want to keep charging for service.
This problem is with the preloaded Windows XP and our computer manufacturer was no help (IBM).
I will never buy another computer with preloaded Windows. You don't get any help from the computer manufacturer and you don't get any help from Microsoft....unless you pay dearly for it.

Thanks.

 

I will never buy another computer with preloaded Windows

Excellent idea.

From some reading, I get an idea that installing SP1 may fix the problem. Not positive though. It is clear that if they had done the sysprep with a slipstreamed SP1 version you wouldn't have the problem but hard to say if it will fix an existing issue.

Have you loaded the SP on a problem machine?

 

Hi Jslow: This probably won't help, but may be worth a try if you haven't already:

When the repair console asks for a password, just hit enter.

I was doing a repair on XP Home and was stumped by that window as this machine is not password protected. I tried entering a bunch of stuff, my user name, other paswords used for internet, network, etc, etc, nothing worked, just kept getting access denied.

So I call Msft, and for $35.00 I ws advised to leave it blank and go on, sure enough, that worked.

Really ticked me off that no clue on the window.

good luck.

 

I think it just may help martinr121,
When I used the recovery console my one and only time that's what I did , hit the enter key.

 

Jslow,

Hitting enter in XP Home for the password is what is supposed to get you past that point. Didn't work for the poster, never did find out why.

Look at this thread and see if anything there helps http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21296&highlight=recovery+console

Regards - Charles

 

At the very bottom of that Microsoft page I posted a link to it says, "This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1."

If you don't have Service Pack 1 for XP, looks like you'll need to get it. If you do have it, I'll keep looking for the solution.

 

Hi All,
Thnks for the replies.
I tried hitting enter for ths password and it didn't work.
I got the same error message as before.

Don't know what to try next.

In KB308402 they state that thiserror message was first corrected in Windows XP SP1.
I tried to install SP1 twice but it didn't work. I had to boot in Safe Mode to uninstall it because I couldn't get to my desktop after installing SP1.

I read somewhere recently that you may be able to install SP1 in Safe Mode. Has anyone ever installed SP1 this way?

Thanks

 

Just a note

For the most part, I found that it really wasn't worth the effort I put in to get the recovery console to open. None of the recovery entries, (list obtained by entering "help ") did any good to fix this XP Home system.

Maybe because I couldn't figure out how to use it, but I did use each tool the best way it appeared to be useable. My advice to anybody (excepting geeks) contemplating using recovery console is this:

Do an new install using the "upgrade" option. For me, it left all existing programs and settings intact. It did wipe out everything in Outlook Express except it's settings. (email, address book, saved folders) It also wipes out all updates, but they are easily obtained again on line. Suggest you save Service pack 1 locally and install it when upgrade install complete. Reason is if you have a PPPoE DSL line, you may not be able set up or connect to the internet without a registry hack:
(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\CurrentControlSet\Services\RasMan\PPP\EAP\25 & 26) delete both 25 & 26.

Just one users experience.

 

Hi Miz,
Thanks for the reply.
I don't have SP1 installed.
I was going to attempt to install it in Safe Mode but was wondering if anyone installed it this way before.

Thanks

 

Hi All,
I talked to Microsoft today and they e-mailed us the HotFix file to correct the problem with password errors in the Recovery Console.
Now I need to get familar with the Recovery Console.

They also showed us a way to edit the Registry so you do not have to enter a password as follows:

To Automatically Logon to Recovery Console (by editing the Registry)
Change the Registry entries for RecoveryConsole from 0 to 1, as follows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\Setup\RecoveryConsole
change Securtylevel from 0 to 1 on the end in ( )
Security Level REG_DWORD 0x00000001 (0)
change the Setcommand from 0 to 1 on the end in ( )
Set Command REG_DWORD 0x00000001 (0)

This will take you to C:\WINDOWS prompt in Recovery Console without entering a password.

Thanks for the replies

 

Recovery Console

To set Auto Administrator Logon for Recovery Console
so a Administartor Password isn't needed.

SecurityLevel DWORD value data is set to 1 in the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole

Also if you have OEM XP installed & reinstallation of XP OS will accept the no Administrator Password just press Enter.