When I try to start the pc my kids use, it boots and I see the windows screen then goes black screen. When I try to access the recovery console my ADMIN password doesn't work. Will booting from xp cd and initiating a re-install wipe EVERYTHING out?

The system runs xp pro. kelltech   .. If you can get into the bios and CHANGE the boot sequence to CD-Rom 1st boot ......... PUT your XP disk in the drive , reboot and do a format and clean install and all the stuff will be wiped clean .


dl65  I can get it to boot from cd, but i was hoping to not wipe everything, there is some homework assignments on there my daughter wanted to save. It is looking more and more like a format is needed though  Can you boot to safe mode (F8 at boot up before the Windows logo) and save the files to floppies?nah, it gets hung on the safe mode start. I see the xp startup splash screen but thats as far as I get before the screen goes black.I would suggest booting with a Linux Live CD and copying the files to floppies, pen drive, across a network, etc. Then reinstall Windows, if that's what you WANT.