This can occur if you manage to delete all local user accounts (User
Accounts won't let you do this, but other account- management tools aren't
as protective) or, in some cases, if you upgrade your computer from an
earlier version of Windows.
If you're using Windows XP Professional, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete two times to
display the Log On To Windows dialog box.
Type Administrator in the User Name box, and enter the password you created
for the Administrator account during setup.
Logged on as Administrator, you can run User Accounts and create one or more
new accounts, which will thereafter show up on the Welcome screen.
Windows XP Home Edition users can't log on using the Administrator account,
which is prevented by account restrictions from logging on.
Instead, you must start Windows XP in Safe Mode by pressing F8 at the
beginning of the startup process. After you're up and running in Safe Mode,
you can run User Accounts to create one or more new accounts.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q308421&
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
NOTE: You must be logged on to the computer using an account that has
administrative privileges. If you are running Windows XP Home Edition, in
order to have access to the Security tab, you must first start in Safe Mode
and log on with an account that has Administrative rights.
adrian said:
I start up my WinXP Home PC today, and WinXP starts until the welcome
screen, but no users are listed. The screen is just empty with the small
windows XP logo on the background. I cannot press ctrl+alt+del or anything.
What happened? Tried safety mode, but at the log-on screen, same thing
happen. No users are listed also. Have to re-install windows all over.
