please help! stuck on blue windows xp logo screen

[Pattim]

I have windows xp home edition with sp2 and the windows update box came on
and asked if I wanted to restart my computer now (after installing updates
but what updates? I have no clue) so I clicked on "restart now" and I went to
bed. In the morning I went to the computer and there was a blue screen with
ONLY the windows xp logo and NO user accounts to log on to? I have tried safe
mode, last known good configuration, etc but still stuck on that screen! How
do I get back into the computer? I do not know a lot about computers so I
feel lost. Also in case this matters, a day before this happened I noticed I
had no "Power Management" and could not get into "Add/Remove Programs". I
would appreciate any assistance that I could get with this disaster. It is
urgent that I not lose my data ot pictures as they are crucially needed for
my court case in May. Thanks in advance.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I have windows xp home edition with sp2 and the windows update box came on
and asked if I wanted to restart my computer now (after installing updates
but what updates? I have no clue) so I clicked on "restart now" and I went
to
bed. In the morning I went to the computer and there was a blue screen
with
ONLY the windows xp logo and NO user accounts to log on to? I have tried
safe
mode, last known good configuration, etc but still stuck on that screen!
How
do I get back into the computer? I do not know a lot about computers so I
feel lost. Also in case this matters, a day before this happened I noticed
I
had no "Power Management" and could not get into "Add/Remove Programs". I
would appreciate any assistance that I could get with this disaster. It is
urgent that I not lose my data ot pictures as they are crucially needed
for
my court case in May. Thanks in advance.

Since you neglected to back up your crucial files before, you must do so now
before you try to repair anything. Take your PC to a reputable PC service
stop or get a friend with a strong background in PCs to assist you. They
must do this:
1. Remove the disk from your PC.
2. Connect it to some other Windows XP PC.
3. Retrieve your data, pictures and EMail messages.
4. Check that they have retrieved everything.

After doing this, post again so that someone can help you with the repair
effort. Also keep the following points in mind:
- If you attempt to repair the PC now, you risk losing everything.
- A backup solution that relies on an external disk would cost you less than
$100.00. Unfortunately many people think that backups are for whimps. They
choose to wait until they suffer a major disaster themselves.

 

[Alister]

I have windows xp home edition with sp2 and the windows update box came on
and asked if I wanted to restart my computer now (after installing updates
but what updates? I have no clue) so I clicked on "restart now" and I went
to
bed. In the morning I went to the computer and there was a blue screen
with
ONLY the windows xp logo and NO user accounts to log on to? I have tried
safe
mode, last known good configuration, etc but still stuck on that screen!
How
do I get back into the computer? I do not know a lot about computers so I
feel lost. Also in case this matters, a day before this happened I noticed
I
had no "Power Management" and could not get into "Add/Remove Programs". I
would appreciate any assistance that I could get with this disaster. It is
urgent that I not lose my data ot pictures as they are crucially needed
for
my court case in May. Thanks in advance.

This error is often caused by the partial removal of a Malware infection
from your PC.

A piece of spyware replaces the C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe file with
a file called wsaupdater.exe. It then modifies the registry so that when
you logon the wsaupdater.exe file is executed. After removing the spyware,
(via Adaware, SpyBot S&D, or another spyware detection tool), the
wsaupdater.exe is removed, but the registry still points to it and tries to
execute it during login.

The best procedure to correct this is:

1. Boot into recovery console using your XP CD

2. Navigate to the c:\windows\system32 folder and type (without the
quotes) "copy userinit.exe wsaupdater.exe". This will trick the system
into booting by copying the legitimate XP userinit.exe file to the
wsaupdater.exe file and allow the system to boot.

3. Reboot the system and logon.

4. Open regedit (from start->run type regedit)

5. Navigate to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon and modify the value of Userinit to
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe

6. Next in Windows Explorer delete the c:\windows\system32\wsaupdater.exe
file.

This should bring your PC back to a useable state.

Alister

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

There is a real possibility that this is a result of a malware
infection. That being said, it is a difficult thing to remedy if you
cannot get into windows.

First thing to do is try safe mode using the command prompt to try to
get you into system restore.

'How to start the System Restore tool by using the safe mode option
with the Command prompt in Windows XP'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449)

Hmm. I recall distinctly the OP writing that Safe Mode did not work.

 

[Pattim]

To Pegasus:
Please bear with me because I am very confused right now and like I said I
am not very knowledgeable of computers. I do not understand one of the things
you said which is #1 below:
Take your PC to a reputable PC service
stop or get a friend with a strong background in PCs to assist you. They
must do this:
1. Remove the disk from your PC.
2. Connect it to some other Windows XP PC.
What disk do you mean?
And also may I please ask you this: someone told me to do F-10 on startup
and on recovery screen pick "system recovery" and doing that will save all my
data,etc. as opposed to picking "destructive recovery" which will cause me to
lose everything I had. Is this correct?
Thanks
Alister & Bee--Thank you but I never got the windows cd with this computer.
I will have to get one I guess.
Thanks
Patti

 

[Pattim]

Sorry I forgot that I was asked the make..............I have a Dell dimension
2400 that I bought back in 2002

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

*** See below.

To Pegasus:
Please bear with me because I am very confused right now and like I said I
am not very knowledgeable of computers. I do not understand one of the
things
you said which is #1 below:
Take your PC to a reputable PC service
stop or get a friend with a strong background in PCs to assist you. They
must do this:
1. Remove the disk from your PC.
2. Connect it to some other Windows XP PC.
What disk do you mean?

*** I am referring to the hard disk inside your PC. It contains all
*** your personal data. If you attempt to repair your Windows
*** installation then you risk destroying this data. The less experience
*** you have, the greater the risk.

And also may I please ask you this: someone told me to do F-10 on startup
and on recovery screen pick "system recovery" and doing that will save all
my
data,etc. as opposed to picking "destructive recovery" which will cause me
to
lose everything I had. Is this correct?

*** Function key F10 is not a Windows boot selection key. It could
*** be a key that invokes a restore mode that was installed by Dell.
*** This is a very risky move - many factory restore implementations
*** will completely wipe the disk. I would not risk it. On the other
*** hand, retrieving files from a disk by using the method I described
*** before is a fairly simple and very low-risk type of operation.

Thanks
Alister & Bee--Thank you but I never got the windows cd with this
computer.
I will have to get one I guess.
Thanks
Patti

*** You probably received a factory restore CD. This means that
*** you don't need a Windows CD but it also means that the restore
*** operation could be totally destructive.

 

[Alister]

Alister & Bee--Thank you but I never got the windows cd with this computer.
I will have to get one I guess.
Thanks
Patti

If you got a recovery CD from the Manufacturer then this may actually be
a Windows XP CD.

I think you said in another message that it is a Dell. If the recovery
CD is Green or Purple coloured then it may be a Windows CD.

If you have access to another PC, put that recovery CD in the drive
whilst windows is running. It should run and show you the Windows
installation screen. This will prove it is a Windows CD. You can safely
do this and cancel out of it without affecting the PC you try it on.

If it is a Windows CD, come back here and I'll show you how to use the
recovery.

Alister

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

If it is a Windows CD, come back here and I'll show you how to use the
recovery.

Alister

Please note that this is a risky course of action. If the OP takes a wrong
step, e.g. due to inexperience, then the missing pics will be permanently
lost. Since this relates to a court case, taking risks does not seem
appropriate.

 

[Alister]

Please note that this is a risky course of action. If the OP takes a wrong
step, e.g. due to inexperience, then the missing pics will be permanently
lost. Since this relates to a court case, taking risks does not seem
appropriate.

You are quite correct if talking about a "repair Install", but I meant
using the recovery Console to replace the userinit file. I don't see
that this carries much of a risk so long as the instructions are clear
and the OP follows them correctly.

I agree I could have made it clearer.

Alister