Member Avatar for BagelAnne

I started mt laptop ( Windows Vista) today and for some reason it will not accept my password at the login screen.
I have not done anything unusual but have noticed it is crashing a lot lately.
Please help me .

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Dani AI

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Brief expert summary and practical recovery path (adds to the suggestions from and )

A known password suddenly being rejected most often falls into two broad groups: simple sign-in mismatches (keyboard layout, Caps Lock/Num Lock, or a cloud/Microsoft account that needs an online connection) and deeper Windows-side problems (corrupt user profile, damaged system files, or services that abort the logon sequence). Microsoft’s sign‑in troubleshooting covers these common checks and differences between local vs. online accounts. (support.microsoft.com)

If Safe Mode selection still leads immediately back to the normal logon screen or a quick logoff, that behavior points to a failing logon process (Winlogon/userinit/shell) or registry-related corruption rather than a simple password typo — this explains why a correct password sometimes looks “rejected.” When any admin or recovery access is available, repairing damaged system files is a good next diagnostic step. The built‑in System File Checker is the recommended tool to try first; from an elevated recovery or safe session run: 

sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /f /r

(These commands repair protected system files and check disk integrity.) (learn.microsoft.com)

A non-destructive in‑place (repair) install using original Vista media will replace system files while keeping installed programs and personal files in most cases — this is a valid option when SFC/repair attempts fail, but it should be used only after a verified backup. Offline password‑reset utilities and forceful admin password changes can work, but they carry a serious risk: files encrypted with EFS (user encryption) can become permanently inaccessible if the account’s keys are altered. Back up user data (or image the drive) before trying any offline password tool. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical sequence (concise): verify keyboard/Caps Lock and account type; confirm whether other accounts can log in; boot safe/recovery to run SFC and chkdsk; export or copy the user folder to external media if possible; then consider a repair install or controlled password‑reset tool only after backing up. This complements ’s early diagnostic idea and ’s recovery‑media approach while stressing the data‑safety and encryption cautions.

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Member Avatar for orwell84

This won't work if you used the Administrator account for yourself when you first used the computer (and it may not work anyway, but it's my suggestion):
1. Boot up the computer
2. Press F2. Choose "Safe Mode With Command Prompt"
3. Wait a while...when the screen comes up, choose yourself first and try your password. If that doesn't work, go to the account labeled "Administrator". If you didn't use it, there might not be a password. If you did set a password, try to remember it.
4. When command prompt comes up, type "net user" and press enter
5. Note what your account is called. Then type "net user (account name here; if it has a space in it, enclose it in quotes)*" (don't forget the asterisk at the end)
6. It will ask for a password for that user. Type in the desired password.
7. Reboot normally and try the password you put in.

If that doesn't work, I can't help you anymore, but it's worth a try.

Member Avatar for BagelAnne

It does not allow me to ge to safe mode in any form.
When I select safe mode it goes through the wait process but then goes to the regular login screen.
This is really weird!

Member Avatar for orwell84

Well, that is safe mode. It first comes up as the login screen, and then goes into command prompt when you log in. Anyway, is there an account labeled "Administrator" when you get to that screen?

Member Avatar for orwell84

And if that doesn't work, try logging in to any other accounts on the computer, if there are any, and then run a virus scan. If no viruses appear...
http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

Member Avatar for BagelAnne

Well, that is safe mode. It first comes up as the login screen, and then goes into command prompt when you log in. Anyway, is there an account labeled "Administrator" when you get to that screen?

No administrator account listed.
I am sorry to be a pest but I really want to know what would cause a password not to work in Vista.
I did not forget my password!
But, suddenly it will not work.
Is that caused by a bug, a corrupt file?
Should I be looking to do a repair install?
Can I do a repair install with Vista?

Member Avatar for orwell84

It could be a virus...if there are any other accounts on the computer, try running a virus scan. If not, I have no other ideas, sorry

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

Next time remember to create at Least TWO admin accounts for safety. That will help in case of problem in one account.

Since problem is at hand, the best way to handle it is learning here:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.google.co.tz/search?q=pebuilder&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
and check password plugin:
http://www.bootcd.us/BartPE_Plugin_Details/384/Windows-Password-Renew-1_0-RC2.html

add that one and boot with disk and you will be able to change password with it!
Note: Be respectful to others' privacy as this CD is very powerful yet dangerous.

Member Avatar for BagelAnne

I truly appreciate your sharing this information with me!
I will study the tutorial and learn about how to use the BartPE and the password plugin.
But, will this work with Windows Vista?

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

anything from w2k to Vista
Don't worry very simple
1. Install PEbuilder
2. download and add password plugin via PEbuilder (Cab not zip)
3.Build ISO image
4. Burn image to disc
5. Boot disc with defective computer
NB: For native XP-like enviroment, consider adding XPE plugin

Hope you will make it
Steve

Member Avatar for BagelAnne

Thanks.

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