Solved disabled user acct - now locked out of my computer

[maryeleek]

I foolishly disabled my user acct and now cannot log into my desktop. Is there something I can easily do to fix my error? I am advised to contact my administrator. Well, I see the administrator when I look in the mirror and I don't know how to fix this.

My monitor screen goes off soon after I get into safe mode so it may be going bad. Can't see to try anything from there. May be time to buy all new hardware but I would like to try to get into this system if there is something I can try.

If I can't fix my situation, I'll need to buy another computer. Not the end of the world as I've gotten my money's worth from this old Dell XPS 8100 win7pro box but it isn't a particularly good time to be setting up a new computer.

If someone can suggest something I might try, I'd appreciate the help. Otherwise, I'll chalk it up to one old woman who goofed up big time.

My thanks, Mary

 

[samuria]

Worse case you don't need a new PC you can reinstall. Is there another account, have you got an install DVD, can you press f8 on start and get a cmd prompt or role back to last know good setting?

 

[maryeleek]

Yes, I do have the Windows 7Pro dvd that Dell provides. I believe it will only allow a reinstall on this specific computer so I have this option. However, I don't want to overwrite my C drive. I guess I could install a new hard drive and remove the current ssd drive but if I'm going to have to go to all the trouble of reinstallling all of my programs, I think I'd rather do this on a new box. This box was purchased in 2011, so I've used it for 7 years. Only things I've upgraded are the the graphics card and the hard drive. Everything else is original. Well, might have added an additional 8 megs of RAM. Can't remember the exact configuration off hand. Another thought is I need to check and see if my carbonite acct is backing up the entire drive or just my files. Thank you so much for taking time to reply. ... Mary

 

[maryeleek]

I can reach options by pressing F8. After booting into safe mode, my monitor goes black or turns off after a few seconds, so this is contributing to my problem. I can't see to do anything. Maybe my monitor is going bad.

 

[samuria]

See if we can do it this way press f8 but choose cmd prompt then type these cmdsifonitor mgoes off yu may have to reboot to compete

net user ( not any names)

net user maryeleek /active:yes (replace maryeleekwith the usrname you disabled )

net user administrator /active:yes

If it doesnt work and you have a win dvd boot that and try cmd prompt from there
If this works you can login with the account with no password

 

[maryeleek]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Your instructions worked perfectly. My monitor screen kept going off before I could complete so I just turned off, then restarted until I was able to finish and see the command successful for both commands. Oh my, I am so relieved. I do have Carbonite back up my files so I'm not a total idiot ... but I come pretty close!

I still can't believe this! Please know how grateful I am to you for taking the time to help this foolish old woman.

Mary

 

[samuria]

Learn from it and look to create an image of your system and a boot disk ith any free imaging software with that you can get the system back in 30 mins there are lots of free imaging Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

 

[maryeleek]

Yes, you are right. I had a bad experience with imaging software some years back and have a hard time trusting again. I do own Macrium Pro and even purchased a large USB drive to use for this purpose. Will now take your advice to heart and image my drive. Better to try and chance failing than do nothing and fail for certain. My thanks once again for taking time to help me. BTW, I uninstalled a recently updated program I suspected might be causing the problem with my monitor and I'm hopeful for improvement there.

... Mary