cannot access the window xp home edition

Hello, I have a laptop gateway with windows xp home edition. I cannot access
the windows. when i turn the computer on the windows opens correctly but in
the moment that it plays the opening tune, the tune interrupts and it plays
the closing tune. the screen displays a "welcome" and a box with the account
for logging in.

It also says in the right hand bottom of the screen "after you log on, you
can add or change accounts. Just go to Control Panel and click User Accounts."

I would also like to inform you that i tried the safe mode but it didn't
work. the same result. i tried last known good configuration but without
success. I tried the boot disk it didn't work either.

Please could you help me access the windows, without having to format the
disk, i have some files i would not like to lose.

I thank you very much for your time and assistance.

On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 01:59:02 -0800, ador wrote:

> Hello, I have a laptop gateway with windows xp home edition. I cannot access
> the windows. when i turn the computer on the windows opens correctly but in
> the moment that it plays the opening tune, the tune interrupts and it plays
> the closing tune. the screen displays a "welcome" and a box with the account
> for logging in.
>
> It also says in the right hand bottom of the screen "after you log on, you
> can add or change accounts. Just go to Control Panel and click User Accounts."
>
> I would also like to inform you that i tried the safe mode but it didn't
> work. the same result. i tried last known good configuration but without
> success. I tried the boot disk it didn't work either.
>
> Please could you help me access the windows, without having to format the
> disk, i have some files i would not like to lose.
>
> I thank you very much for your time and assistance.

So.... you get a screen to log on with. This happens on my system every
time I startup. I type in my password and the desktop appears. Is this
sequence of events unusual for your system?

Is the account listed on the welcome screen yours? What happens when you
try to log on with it? If you've never assigned a password to your account,
leave the password field blank. Once logged on, can you create a new user
account? If yes, do so. Keep this on the side for a bit as a "spare." If it
turns out that your normal account is corrupted, your personal files can be
transferred to the new account. Once that's done the "bad" account can be
deleted. Be sure to check in event viewer for more details about any
startup problems that this tool will have recorded.

Has service pack 2 been installed yet? If you have Service Pack 2
installed, booting to the Advanced Start Menu (pressing F8 during startup),
should show an option to use "system restore" listed. It's towards the
middle/bottom part of that screen. You could try restoring to a date before
this problem started.

Another thought... Was the .NET Framework package installed recently? It
may have clobbered automatic logon that is taken for granted on single user
systems. There is a simple fix to restore automatic logon. If .NET was
installed recently, let us know and someone will give you the steps for
this.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

"Sharon F" wrote:

> On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 01:59:02 -0800, ador wrote:
>
> > Hello, I have a laptop gateway with windows xp home edition. I cannot access
> > the windows. when i turn the computer on the windows opens correctly but in
> > the moment that it plays the opening tune, the tune interrupts and it plays
> > the closing tune. the screen displays a "welcome" and a box with the account
> > for logging in.
> >
> > It also says in the right hand bottom of the screen "after you log on, you
> > can add or change accounts. Just go to Control Panel and click User Accounts."
> >
> > I would also like to inform you that i tried the safe mode but it didn't
> > work. the same result. i tried last known good configuration but without
> > success. I tried the boot disk it didn't work either.
> >
> > Please could you help me access the windows, without having to format the
> > disk, i have some files i would not like to lose.
> >
> > I thank you very much for your time and assistance.
>
> So.... you get a screen to log on with. This happens on my system every
> time I startup. I type in my password and the desktop appears. Is this
> sequence of events unusual for your system?
>
> Is the account listed on the welcome screen yours? What happens when you
> try to log on with it? If you've never assigned a password to your account,
> leave the password field blank. Once logged on, can you create a new user
> account? If yes, do so. Keep this on the side for a bit as a "spare." If it
> turns out that your normal account is corrupted, your personal files can be
> transferred to the new account. Once that's done the "bad" account can be
> deleted. Be sure to check in event viewer for more details about any
> startup problems that this tool will have recorded.
>
> Has service pack 2 been installed yet? If you have Service Pack 2
> installed, booting to the Advanced Start Menu (pressing F8 during startup),
> should show an option to use "system restore" listed. It's towards the
> middle/bottom part of that screen. You could try restoring to a date before
> this problem started.
>
> Another thought... Was the .NET Framework package installed recently? It
> may have clobbered automatic logon that is taken for granted on single user
> systems. There is a simple fix to restore automatic logon. If .NET was
> installed recently, let us know and someone will give you the steps for
> this.
>
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User
>
Dear Sharon F,

First thanks for replying to me. I will answer all your questions and give
more information that can help you to help me. thanks again.

Q: Is this sequence unusual for your system?
A: Yes, because I have not set any passwords for me to log on to my windows.

Q: What happens when you try to log on with it?
A: When i click on the account name, the computer plays the opening tune and
then immediately it plays the closing tune, and the welcome screen remains
with the name box of logging into the program.

Q: Has service pack 2 been installed yet?
A: I have windows xp home edition. no service packs.

I want also to inform you about the following:
I was trying to clean my laptop from some viruses (win32.padotor.u or
win32.show.u) and was doing the cleaning with Kaspersky Professional. Before
I started cleaning with kaspersky, I was advised to turn off the system
restore, for the viruses not to reproduce themselves.

So I turned off the the system restore. I did the cleaning with kaspersky,
which did not clean all the viruses. I tried to clean the trojans with spy
sweeper which it couldn't finish the cleaning. Then I turned my computer off,
thinking to continue the next day.

the next day, when I tried to turn my computer on, I got the welcome screen
with all the details which I already described to you. I tried to boot the
system by means of the windows xp home edition installation cd but it
couldn't start from it. I tried with the help of F8 to start with "the last
known good configuration", but in vain. I tried in safe mode but without
sucess. So I am lost now.

I appreciate any help you can give me in order to get my old desktop back,
because I have some very important docs which I don't want to lose.

I thank you again for your help.

ador

On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 04:36:04 -0800, ador wrote:

> Dear Sharon F,
>
> First thanks for replying to me. I will answer all your questions and give
> more information that can help you to help me. thanks again.
>
> Q: Is this sequence unusual for your system?
> A: Yes, because I have not set any passwords for me to log on to my windows.
>
> Q: What happens when you try to log on with it?
> A: When i click on the account name, the computer plays the opening tune and
> then immediately it plays the closing tune, and the welcome screen remains
> with the name box of logging into the program.
>
> Q: Has service pack 2 been installed yet?
> A: I have windows xp home edition. no service packs.
>
> I want also to inform you about the following:
> I was trying to clean my laptop from some viruses (win32.padotor.u or
> win32.show.u) and was doing the cleaning with Kaspersky Professional. Before
> I started cleaning with kaspersky, I was advised to turn off the system
> restore, for the viruses not to reproduce themselves.
>
> So I turned off the the system restore. I did the cleaning with kaspersky,
> which did not clean all the viruses. I tried to clean the trojans with spy
> sweeper which it couldn't finish the cleaning. Then I turned my computer off,
> thinking to continue the next day.
>
> the next day, when I tried to turn my computer on, I got the welcome screen
> with all the details which I already described to you. I tried to boot the
> system by means of the windows xp home edition installation cd but it
> couldn't start from it. I tried with the help of F8 to start with "the last
> known good configuration", but in vain. I tried in safe mode but without
> sucess. So I am lost now.
>
> I appreciate any help you can give me in order to get my old desktop back,
> because I have some very important docs which I don't want to lose.
>
> I thank you again for your help.
>
> ador

Okay, the virus problem or the cleaning of the virus is most likely related
to not being able to log on. This would not be unusual.

I don't understand antivirus programs recommending to disable system
restore right away. It makes sense to do this after the virus has been
cleaned but when done before, you've just tossed out a tool that could be
useful if the cleanup fails as it did in your case. Sure the virus would
still be there, but you would get another chance at trying to clean it.
Once clean, then dump old restore points that might be harboring archives
of the virus. This is a personal gripe of mine against the antivirus
programs (just about all of them recommend immediate removal of restore
points) and doesn't help you much at the moment. Anyhow...

I tried looking up the viruses using the names you gave here but am not
finding anything at Kaspersky's site or anywhere else. Reason I went
looking for this: Sometimes the description of the virus includes
additional instructions for cleaning. Sometimes you get an idea of how the
virus attacks - what files might be need to be replaced during or after the
cleanup efforts.

Since I can't find anything specific, all I can do is give you general
suggestions:

-You could try calling Kaspersky's tech support or Microsoft's free help
line for assistance with cleaning the virus.

-You could drop off the machine to a shop where they do this kind of thing
routinely. Be sure to pick a reputable shop. AND remind them to save your
data files if at all possible.

-You could try the "blazefind" directions for regaining the ability to log
back on to the system. Blazefind is a type of malware that alters a portion
of the registry. The results are the same as what you're experiencing -
logging on, only to be logged right back off again. MVP Rick Rogers has
written up some nice directions on how to check this portion of the
registry. You may not find exactly what he has detailed but you do want to
check that the registry line that controls user inititialization is intact.
It should state:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

The comma at the end is intentional and important. Some OEMs install
Windows to a WINNT folder instead of one named Windows. If that's the case
on your system, your line should read
C:\WINNT\system32\userinit.exe,

This will only help if the virus tampered with this portion of the registry
but it's worth a try.

If no luck, you could try a repair install. Here's a link to an article
that has directions for doing this:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;315341

NOTE: If this completes, the system will still not be clean but you can at
least grab copies of your data (music, photos, documents, etc). Then start
again on trying to get the system clean.

If a repair install won't complete, there is another alternative: Creating
a parallel install. This is installing a second copy of Windows on the same
hard drive/partition or on a different drive/partition. Again, the main
goal of doing this is simply to grab your personal files. Also, this
install is not intended to be permanent. It's a temporary measure to regain
access to your data before going any further. Directions for doing this can
be in the section "Install Windows XP to a new folder" in this article:

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/en-us

At this point, you'll need to decide if you're going to continue trying to
clean the viruses or if you're going to wipe the machine and reinstall
everything.

Finally: After you get all of this sorted, *please* consider installing
Service Pack 2. This is not a typical service pack with a bunch of hotfixes
rolled up in one big package. It is a major reworking of Windows security
and can help to keep your PC safer online. I don't know if you're aware of
this but you can order the service pack for free from MS. There is a link
to do so at this site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/windowsxpsp2

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Dear Sharon,

I thank you a lot for all the info you gave me. I will try the repair
install and if not successful will try the parallel installation.
thanks again, i have learned alot and hopefully will fix my laptop.

"Sharon F" wrote:

> On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 04:36:04 -0800, ador wrote:
>
> > Dear Sharon F,
> >
> > First thanks for replying to me. I will answer all your questions and give
> > more information that can help you to help me. thanks again.
> >
> > Q: Is this sequence unusual for your system?
> > A: Yes, because I have not set any passwords for me to log on to my windows.
> >
> > Q: What happens when you try to log on with it?
> > A: When i click on the account name, the computer plays the opening tune and
> > then immediately it plays the closing tune, and the welcome screen remains
> > with the name box of logging into the program.
> >
> > Q: Has service pack 2 been installed yet?
> > A: I have windows xp home edition. no service packs.
> >
> > I want also to inform you about the following:
> > I was trying to clean my laptop from some viruses (win32.padotor.u or
> > win32.show.u) and was doing the cleaning with Kaspersky Professional. Before
> > I started cleaning with kaspersky, I was advised to turn off the system
> > restore, for the viruses not to reproduce themselves.
> >
> > So I turned off the the system restore. I did the cleaning with kaspersky,
> > which did not clean all the viruses. I tried to clean the trojans with spy
> > sweeper which it couldn't finish the cleaning. Then I turned my computer off,
> > thinking to continue the next day.
> >
> > the next day, when I tried to turn my computer on, I got the welcome screen
> > with all the details which I already described to you. I tried to boot the
> > system by means of the windows xp home edition installation cd but it
> > couldn't start from it. I tried with the help of F8 to start with "the last
> > known good configuration", but in vain. I tried in safe mode but without
> > sucess. So I am lost now.
> >
> > I appreciate any help you can give me in order to get my old desktop back,
> > because I have some very important docs which I don't want to lose.
> >
> > I thank you again for your help.
> >
> > ador
>
> Okay, the virus problem or the cleaning of the virus is most likely related
> to not being able to log on. This would not be unusual.
>
> I don't understand antivirus programs recommending to disable system
> restore right away. It makes sense to do this after the virus has been
> cleaned but when done before, you've just tossed out a tool that could be
> useful if the cleanup fails as it did in your case. Sure the virus would
> still be there, but you would get another chance at trying to clean it.
> Once clean, then dump old restore points that might be harboring archives
> of the virus. This is a personal gripe of mine against the antivirus
> programs (just about all of them recommend immediate removal of restore
> points) and doesn't help you much at the moment. Anyhow...
>
> I tried looking up the viruses using the names you gave here but am not
> finding anything at Kaspersky's site or anywhere else. Reason I went
> looking for this: Sometimes the description of the virus includes
> additional instructions for cleaning. Sometimes you get an idea of how the
> virus attacks - what files might be need to be replaced during or after the
> cleanup efforts.
>
> Since I can't find anything specific, all I can do is give you general
> suggestions:
>
> -You could try calling Kaspersky's tech support or Microsoft's free help
> line for assistance with cleaning the virus.
>
> -You could drop off the machine to a shop where they do this kind of thing
> routinely. Be sure to pick a reputable shop. AND remind them to save your
> data files if at all possible.
>
> -You could try the "blazefind" directions for regaining the ability to log
> back on to the system. Blazefind is a type of malware that alters a portion
> of the registry. The results are the same as what you're experiencing -
> logging on, only to be logged right back off again. MVP Rick Rogers has
> written up some nice directions on how to check this portion of the
> registry. You may not find exactly what he has detailed but you do want to
> check that the registry line that controls user inititialization is intact.
> It should state:
>
> C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
>
> The comma at the end is intentional and important. Some OEMs install
> Windows to a WINNT folder instead of one named Windows. If that's the case
> on your system, your line should read
> C:\WINNT\system32\userinit.exe,
>
> This will only help if the virus tampered with this portion of the registry
> but it's worth a try.
>
> If no luck, you could try a repair install. Here's a link to an article
> that has directions for doing this:
> How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;315341
>
> NOTE: If this completes, the system will still not be clean but you can at
> least grab copies of your data (music, photos, documents, etc). Then start
> again on trying to get the system clean.
>
> If a repair install won't complete, there is another alternative: Creating
> a parallel install. This is installing a second copy of Windows on the same
> hard drive/partition or on a different drive/partition. Again, the main
> goal of doing this is simply to grab your personal files. Also, this
> install is not intended to be permanent. It's a temporary measure to regain
> access to your data before going any further. Directions for doing this can
> be in the section "Install Windows XP to a new folder" in this article:
>
> How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/en-us
>
> At this point, you'll need to decide if you're going to continue trying to
> clean the viruses or if you're going to wipe the machine and reinstall
> everything.
>
> Finally: After you get all of this sorted, *please* consider installing
> Service Pack 2. This is not a typical service pack with a bunch of hotfixes
> rolled up in one big package. It is a major reworking of Windows security
> and can help to keep your PC safer online. I don't know if you're aware of
> this but you can order the service pack for free from MS. There is a link
> to do so at this site:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/windowsxpsp2
>
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User
>

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 05:55:03 -0800, ador wrote:

> Dear Sharon,
>
> I thank you a lot for all the info you gave me. I will try the repair
> install and if not successful will try the parallel installation.
> thanks again, i have learned alot and hopefully will fix my laptop.

I hope so too. Since this is a laptop, you may be restricted on repair
options. If the CD given to you by the OEM is a standard CD and not
specialized, you're fine. But if it's a restore CD that only wipes the
drive, then your repair options are unfortunately limited.

Good luck with this,
--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User