When i start my computer ( im on a different one right now) it shows a message fatal system error C000021A. I tried to fix this problem by putting the xp disc in and making it boot up so i can "repair". I click "repair" and it requires an admin password but i never remembered entering a password in. Any suggestions? i realllly dont want to reformat it because i have alot of files on the computer that i dont want deleted. =/ Is there any other way i can fix it without deleting my hardrive?
I dont think there is any other way.... As for the password thing, try your own password, the one at the log in screen. (If you have one) Or maybe try leaving it blank?
Try this link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;156669 Basically Patches KB893066, KB890923, KB890859 and KB893086 might be the cause of your problem 1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk in your floppy disk drive or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart your computer. Note When you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD: Press any key to boot from CD Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive, see the documentation that came with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer. 2. When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console. Note Multiple options will appear on the screen. 3. Select the Windows XP installation in question. Note You must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available. 4. If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER. (Typically, the password is blank.) Note You will not be able to continue if you do not have the administrator password. 5. At the command prompt, type cd $ntuninstallKB.........HERE THE NUMBER OF THE PATCH.....$\spuninst, and then press ENTER. Note After you complete this step, you cannot stop the removal process. 6. At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER. 7. After the Ptach is removed, type exit, and then press ENTER oo Uninstall the Next please uninstall the patches KB893066 KB890923 KB890859 KB893086 by Murray
@PkTHPS I feel your pain. Awhile ago I had to use my windows cd to "repair". And when it asked me for my administrator password I was really confused since I had never set one. I believe when it asked me for my password I just hit "Enter" on my keyboard and it worked. I would give it a shot. And if it doesn't work post back with exactly what happens if it doesn't work and/or what it says (errors,error codes, etc).
I think entering the blank might of worked because it allowed me to type stuff after. I typed the them but all of them said "command not reconized" =/
I forgot to add that this happened after i ran spybot search and destory in safe mode then when i restarted it, the problem occured.
After hitting enter you should not have to enter any more codes/passwords. You should just have to type "repair" (without the quotes) or something similar. Again if you can write down what the screens you see say I can most likely tell you what you need to do.
I think the ultimate boot cd has a password reset utility. http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ Also view http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305478 LOL, Carl W.
@carlwit We have already established that it isn't a password problem. Mearly some quirks in how the repair function works.
What do the prompts on the screen say? Do they say "Type repair and hit enter to continue"? If so after hitting enter when asked for a password type repair and hit enter, or type yes and hit enter. I have done this on many occasions for different computers and except for the administrators password incident the whole thing was otherwise very straightforward. PkTHPS if you can not either tell me what your screen says or follow the directions shown on screen then there is no way I will be able to help you.
It says "enter the admin password" then i press enter and it just says C:\Windows. Could it be because I have Xp professional on that computer but i am using a XP home edition cd?
If memory serves me correctly then all you should have to do now is type the appropriate command for your situation into the window. I also found these two articles which should be of interest to you... http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;156669 http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp
I tried the website you gave me "repair windows in eight commands". When i got to the step where i was to enter del boot.ini it said "no matching files were found".
If it couldn't locate your boot.ini file then that is the most likely reason you are unable to boot. There may be other issues we do not know about yet, but boot.ini is essential to the proper booting of Windows.
Actually on second thought just continue with that "eight steps" guide. Just pass over the boot.ini step and see how things turn out, because according to the site the next step after deleting the boot.ini is this... And that sounds like it should solve your problems.