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Windows 2000 install gone bad

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3 replies

by mc_user

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I wanted to help a friend by installing W2K on his IBM Netvista desktop. I let the PC boot up from the hard disk, gave it an administrator password and then the PC rebooted itself. After it restarted it asked for the Adminstrator password, but it would not accept the one I had entered. I tried Caps Lock and various common misspellings of the word but no luck.

The PC came with no installation media. It was all on the hard disk. Lucky for me there is the MS ID codes for the software pasted on the outside of the PC and we have all the receipts from the purchase.

How do I get a legal copy of the installation disks? Do I need to reformat and reinstall everything to correct the problem? Are there any other options available to fix the problem?

Thanks from
Mr. No-good-deed-goes-unpunished.

3 replies

by shanghai sam

This machine may have been shipped with a "recovery" CD containing the drvrs, OS, & programs shipped by IBM. If not, or if the recovery CD has been lost.

If not, some newer IBM laptops (those shipped without OS media and manufactured within the last 2 years or so) have a "startup" option that appears ONLY when started up from a cold boot.

If this particular machine has this option installed, power completely down & then turn on again. As it starts, watch for an option on the TOP line ofthe display that says "PRESS F10 to use the IBM RECOVERY OPTION" (or similarly worded phrase). If available, it will restore the machine to factory default.

Contact IBM for replacement media.

Windows2000/NT Key will reset the password to 12345. Cost $95.00. Available at http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm. It does work!

Microsoft may actually be helpful here, too. If IBM cannot replace the media, give MS a call, explain your situation and ask if you can purchase a replacement media set for the machine.

by mc_user

Contacted IBM and it turns out there is a hidden partition on this PC with all of the recovery and installation files. You access it by holding down F11 when rebooting.

I'm building whatever recovery disks disks I can with this option. I'll still recommend to my friend that he purchase a copy of the installation media from IBM or MS.

Thanks for the recommendation of the third party software. I did not know that was available. I'll keep that info on record in case of emergency.

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