Laptop won't boot up.

matphil

I wish it was that simple but whatever I try it won't let me log in unfortunately.
What do you think the other partition is? Does that mean that I don't have a recovery partition then?

Rabbir1

A recovery partition isn't built like a windows partition so wouldn't have a user account. But, ophcrack has found your windows partition so at least its still there. Are you sure your keyboard is working 100% and capitalisation is correct.

matphil

Yes the keyboard is working correctly as I can see what is typing in the username field.

davb

You seem to be running out of options, but here's one thing you could try.
Boot up normally, click 'Other User' and when you get the username + password box type for the user:
yourpcname\yourusername and leave the password blank.
You obviously need to to substitute your details, but don't forget the backslash.

matphil

Thanks, just tried that and that doesn't work either.

Rabbir1

Have you tried in safe mode? Tap f8 continuously untill an options screen comes up.
Try both "last known good configuration" with your usual (username-password)
and also try "safe mode" with your usual (username - password). If neither of these work try "safemode" again but with (username=Administrator - Password=leave blank.)

matphil

Thanks. Just tried that and that didn't work.

Rabbir1

matphil wrote: »

Thanks. Just tried that and that didn't work.

What didn't work? did you get into safe mode?

matphil

I just borrowed a Windows Vista disc and booted up from the disk. It gave me the option to repair the laptop so I chose that. It has now come on back to my normal start up. I can't tell you how pleased I am.
My question now is, I'm afraid to turn it back off now so am I right in thinking that I need to go back into Bios and set it to boot as normal. Is there anything I can to to prevent it happening again.
Thank you all for your help with this.

Rabbir1

Well done!
You dont "need" to change the boot order back to hard drive first but it might be best to. You could make a copy of the Vista CD, and you could create a pasword reset disk from within windows, control panel, users, etc, etc.

Just out of curiosity though, did you get into safemode and try Administrator without password?

I'm guessing you had a corrupt registry.
Anyway, glad it's sorted.