XP Home started asking for a password for account named owner

[MoeMurphy]

I have a user that has an HP desktop pc (this is their home computer not sure of model) loaded with XP Home edition. The user told me they removed some adware and when they rebooted the PC came to a login screen with the user name owner. They have never had to login before and did not create the owner account and have no idea of a password. If anybody is familiar with this could you please reply. I haven't looked at the machine and don't want to drive a great distance if I can fix it over the phone.

Thanks

Moe

 

[linney]

If you want to auto-login, bypassing the "click on your
name" and going straight to your account:

282866 - How to automatically log on to a user account in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;282866

315231 - How to turn on automatic logon in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315231&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

XP Home, Eliminate User Login requirement?
thread779-880540



If you see an account named Owner, rename that account with a user's name. The Owner account, with computer administrator privileges, is created during installation if no user accounts are set up at that time. You can rename this account with a user's name.

312131 - The Owner Account Is Displayed As "Account Unknown" in Profiles on Windows XP Home Edition-Based Computers

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312131&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[MoeMurphy]

Thanks for your imput and links,

I know how to turn the auto login on, they just can't figure what password to use to get to the desktop, F8 safemode also asks them for a password and won't let them log in..I told them to try administrator with no password, haven't heard back..

Thanks

 

[gpalmer711]

In theory the owner password should be blank, however if it is not there is a way around this.

Get them to go into safemode, log in as Administrator, deffinatly no password.

Go into Control Panel > User Accounts > Select Owner Account > Click Change My Password or Remove My Password > Click Apply > Click Ok > Restart Normally

They should now be able to login using the new details.

Here in the UK alot of the OEMs specify a password in their images but do not inform the end users what it is without them ringing the premium rate number!!! Very Naughty

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[MoeMurphy]

Thanks Greg,

This was going to be my plan of action, if administrator and blank doesn't work I guess I'll have to try a pnhordal linux disk.

Thanks