XP SP2 logon error - domain does not exist

scotbruce

No network. No domain. No previous password. Logon, in normal or in Safe Mode, now demands a password.

Blank or otherwise, the error message returned is 'The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted'.

Unable to logon or access Windows at all. Googling found no answers, only a couple of similar instances:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=766847 (but another language had ben installed)

and

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/22d8191c2a1f76c/9b75af2da6d5f416%239b75af2da6d5f416

It is suggested that a re-install or repair installation will not rectify this, only a clean install.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

startrekker

Well, i am at a loss as to what to suggest here. I have surfed the web but have only came across the same as you. Before doing a complete re-install i would take the drive out and hook it up as a slave to another machine and run av and adaware remover just in case it is infected. One guy does suggest this, at least its a bit of a chance..

Good Luck

DeadHead_4

last resort - get a new HD, reinstall windows from scratch, hook up the old drive as a slave/secondary drive then salvage all your data.

bingo_bango

More info......

http............-xp-installation-repair-specified-domain-does-not-exist.html

http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?query=specified+domain+either+does+not+exist......... Not entirely sure of the relevance of some of the MS articles.

http://forums.macnn.com/104/alternative-operating-systems/296388/xp-password-problem/ This is actually a MAC forum for users running Boot Camp, but they have the same problem, and possible solutions.

One more with a plausible explanation and fix: http://www.chicagotech.net/wineventid.htm#Event ID 5719 - The system cannot log you on now because the domain name is not available.

scotbruce

Mmm - yeah.
I know I could slave the hdd to retrieve the data. Adaware and Spybot were used on the machine, so I might try that with the hdd as slave, but won't be holidng my breath.
I did try the Knowledge Base, but couldn't find anything relevant. I saw a couple of MAC-related similar errors, but I've tried what was suggested. Other suggestions aren't possible as I can't access Windows at all.
Maybe I'll just have to try a repair, then anti-spyware, then give up and just retrieve the data. Very annoying, though - and I did think I'd manage to find a fix somewhere ....

albertross_2

Is this xp home or pro?

Do you get a username, password, and domain box?

scotbruce

As far as I remember (client's machine), it's XP Pro. Username shows, with password request box, but no domain.

DrBenway

scotbruce wrote:

As far as I remember (client's machine), it's XP Pro. Username shows, with password request box, but no domain.

Strange one this.

But...

At the logon box is there an "options" button. And if you press it does it
show the domain ?

If it does you maybe in luck. The domain should be "XXXXXXX (this computer)" and try logging in again else you'll need to find a way to hack and reset the windows passwords (should be loads of ways if you search google.com/microsoft). Or maybe change it through the command prompt mode.

scotbruce

Nope, looked at that already - no options button ....

bingo_bango

Having thought about this, I know where Albert and DrB are coming from. XP Pro normally sets up for a network login. When I log in to my work machine, I have an options box, where I can choose the root server, the network server, or my machine (the latter being the right choice to connect to 'my' domain).
I can only think that somewhere along the line, these options have been denied, and your version of XP now only tries to connect to a server that it doesn't recognise. Any chance this machine was ever networked?
There are workarounds if you search the net, and none seem to taxing for someone with even limited knowledge. It may be worth downloading a Linux live disc, so you can access registry settings without going into windows. because AFAIK, you have to tweak the registry to reslove this.

albertross_2

It could be something to do with autoadminlogon in the registry.. maybe these keys have been added?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT \Current Version\Winlogon\DefaultDomainName
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\winlogon\autoadminlogon
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\winlogon\defaultpassword

If so, bartpe may help..

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/