Laptop Problem: Windows Vista

[Jae1000000]

Help!, I am unable to log on to my laptop, I keep getting a message that says the following: 'The user profile service failed the log on. User profile cannot be loaded'. I have tried restarting, changing my password in safe mode but nothing is working. I have only one account set up as the administrator. I have also tried these other options, ie change the account name, change the account type, manage another account but that is not working either as it won't let me do it. To be honest I have not reset the laptop to factory setting since 2009, could this be the root of the problem?, and if I were to set the laptop back to factory setting then reinstall would that work? Thanks to any one who can help.

[rojash]

Here's what Mr and Mrs Microsoft have to say on the subject:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947215

[rojash]

.. and no, it has nothing to do with your not resetting to factory settings. There's rarely any need to do that.

[pinkyboyid]

You could also try activating the hidden Administrator account from within 'Safe Mode'.
Note that it may not work if your profile permissions are screwed, but its worth a try.
If you are able to activate the hidden Administrator account you may then be able to logon with that account from the usual Windows Logon screen to carry out further checks with system admin control available to you. You could also create yourself a new Admin account to replace the problematic account profile.

To attempt activation of the hidden Administrators account:

- Start up in Safe mode with networking option.

Then in 'Safe Mode with Networking',

1. Go to your Windows Start menu

2. Select 'Accessories' list option, then select the option 'Command Prompt' by right-clicking on its icon and choosing 'Run as Administrator'. A 'Command Prompt Window' should open up that will allow you type text based system commands into it via the keyboard.

3. When the Command Prompt window appears, enter/type the following command text:
net user administrator /active:yes
and then press enter the enter key.
You should receive the response "The command completed successfully"

4. Next, enter/type the command text:
net user Administrator password
and then press the enter key.
Again, you should receive the response "The command completed successfully".

The above command will set the Administrator account Logon password as the text phrase "password" (or you could use whatever password text of your choice e.g. net user Administrator mypasswrd , which sets the password as mypasswrd )

5. Reboot and start Windows as normal. If all went well you should see two Logon Accounts displayed, one being yours and the other 'Administrator'. Try logging in to the Administrators account using the password you have just set in Safe Mode.