[eluser]JasonS[/eluser]
There is nothing wrong with CI. The problem is with your application and it apparently not being portable.
Can you locate the registration/login library and attach it to a post. They may use the host as the password salt..
In the meantime try this.
Register a new account on the website. Login to phpmyadmin, locate passsword info for new account. Copy and paste it to the admin account. Try logging in with admin account.
If this fails, contact previous developer and ask what is going on.