>I tried using "-f" in startup parameters of SQL Setup,
>SQL Server could be started, but I could not login.

When you start SQL Server using the -f parameters, not only does it start SQL Server in minimal configuration mode, it also starts SQL Server in single user mode. Sometimes (or usually) SQLAgent (or SQLExecutive for 6.5) will jump onto the only connection. Try stoping SQLAgent and then logging in.

>BTW, is there a way to edit the configurable parameters
>directly without going through the GUI or Enterprise
>Manager?

To edit server parameters you must use the sp_configure system stored procedure. You'll have to follow the call to sp_configure with the RECONFIGURE statement to write the new settings to the configuration block in the master device.

HTH

-Mike