I am trying to repair a Win XP PRO installation using recovery console.

I've COME down with the dreaded "Missing or corrupt windows root\system 32\ntoskrnl.exe" MESSAGE on startup. So there's no logging on to Windows until I sort it out. But I do have a pretty decent idea of how to fix it. I've read up on several tutorials about the issue. But I hit a snag BEFORE I attempt to fix the problem.

My real problem is when I'm in the Recovery Console.
It tells me I need to enter the administration password...and I don't have that! Never have. I've always just LOGGED on with the need to put a password in. That's how I set up the computer when I originally installed XP. This is my own personal computer for use at home with nothing associated to any business or work group. So, when I access the recovery console, logically I should just hit enter and continue on. But no dice. I tried even all passwords i used in my life.... and also left it blank...same results....it wants a administration password.

Now my question is how to by bypass that password or reset even reset it...as i cant go into windows (even with safe mode)

Here's a rundown my procedures

1. Hit F11 and go to the menu option for System Recovery Console

2. Hit "R" and continue to the DOS command line

3. After I answer the prompt for "Which windows installation would you like to log onto...",
I am prompted for the Administrator password before it can continue...

That's where I draw a blank. Nothing I do gets me past that last command line. I don't know what to type, because there's nothing to type, is there?

As a alternate solution to my corrupt windows root\system 32\ntoskrnl.exe and missing Administrator password problem, I thought I'd try working through XP's Setup menu. Intead of choosing "R" and going to the Recovery Console, I hit ENTER and carried on past the Windows XP License agreement to the XP setup menu. BUT there was not option listed to select the operating system I wish to repair. For a visual of what I mean, checkout:

http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdrepair/part1.htm


The trouble is I have no option of repairing XP from the setup menu! It's missing.

To Summarize:
I'm stuck at the Recovery Console command line because it wants a Administration password that I never had setup or needed in the first place.

I can't use a alternative method by way of XP's Setup menu, because there is no option of repairing the previously installed version.

HELP!Welcome to the CH forums.

I believe there are several things which should be done when your OS is running well e.g. a software recovery kit should be assembled for the time at which it is truly needed. Another e.g. is to fix the problem with the Recovery Console asking for a password even though no password has EVER been set.

Here is the latter:
Quote

On many XP installations you can't start the Recovery Console because it won't RECOGNIZE your password. This registry edit causes the Recovery Console not to ask for a password. This works for both XP Home and XP Professional.

Start | Run | Regedit
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel value to 1
Exit Registry and Reboot