Standard User account won't load - black screen

[usasma]

I've encountered a couple of people with this problem, the most detailed
coverage being here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic134202.html

Another link here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2929904&SiteID=17

The problem is that the Administrator accounts work fine, but the Standard
User accounts boot to a black screen. Task Manager can be run, but
explore.exe will not run from it. In the top link, the user was able to get
the Autoruns utility to work but didn't get any functionality from it.

Any ideas?

- John

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If it is a permissions problem, and it only impacts new non-admin accounts,
I would think resetting security to defaults would patch whatever
conflicting app there is in there.
HOW TO Reset Security Settings Back to the Defaults:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313222

It's likely to disturb with his antispy/anti-virus
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I've encountered a couple of people with this problem, the most detailed
coverage being here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic134202.html

Another link here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2929904&SiteID=17

The problem is that the Administrator accounts work fine, but the Standard
User accounts boot to a black screen. Task Manager can be run, but
explore.exe will not run from it. In the top link, the user was able to
get
the Autoruns utility to work but didn't get any functionality from it.

It might be easiest for you to make a new account, and then transfer
settings in %appdata% to the new one.

ss.

 

[usasma]

This happens with all Standard User accounts (newly created or old), but does
not happen with Administrator accounts. If the Administrator accounts are
converted to Standard User accounts, they are affected by this also. One
Administrator account (I assume it's the original one) doesn't display this
behavior when downgraded.

We're figuring it's a permissions issue, but can't pin it down to anything
specific. I'll suggest that he give it a try, but am still looking for other
solutions. He's also trying the ATI Catalyst uninstaller and new video
drivers - just in case.

FWIW - the system is a Dell, upgraded from an X1300 ATI card to an x1600 ATI
card - and there's known issues (on the ATI support site) with this
combination.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

This happens with all Standard User accounts (newly created or old), but
does
not happen with Administrator accounts. If the Administrator accounts are
converted to Standard User accounts, they are affected by this also. One
Administrator account (I assume it's the original one) doesn't display
this
behavior when downgraded.

We're figuring it's a permissions issue, but can't pin it down to anything
specific. I'll suggest that he give it a try, but am still looking for
other
solutions. He's also trying the ATI Catalyst uninstaller and new video
drivers - just in case.

FWIW - the system is a Dell, upgraded from an X1300 ATI card to an x1600
ATI
card - and there's known issues (on the ATI support site) with this
combination.

It might be registry keys that do not have the allow read permissions.
Googling for other people with this problem (try Google Groups too) is your
best bet.

ss.

 

[usasma]

Googling only shows the other link mentioned in my first post and one other
(it's a duplicate posting in the TechNet forums).

The Standard User only issue seems to be very rare, with only 3 or 4 people
posting about it since early/mid-February. Another possible cause could be a
Windows Update that broke something in the ATI video driver - but
uninstalling the updates didn't fix the issue.

- John

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

Googling only shows the other link mentioned in my first post and one
other
(it's a duplicate posting in the TechNet forums).

The Standard User only issue seems to be very rare, with only 3 or 4
people
posting about it since early/mid-February. Another possible cause could
be a
Windows Update that broke something in the ATI video driver - but
uninstalling the updates didn't fix the issue.

Try System Restore.

ss.

 

[usasma]

Tried it, didn't work! :0(

Try System Restore.

ss.

 

[Chad Harris]

I have been having the exact problem, but it is a light blue screen.
Std user won't
load, but Admin accounts will. I've converted, removed and re-opened.
No luck. I've deleted and added new users...no good. Even the guest
account won't load, if it is a guest or standard account. Only if I
change it to a Admin.
Has anyone tried the suggestion someone gave of restoring th
security settings to
the factory defaults. I am a little leary of doing this, since it
says it will delete all
the Standard user accounts and I am not sure what other effects it
would have on
my computer. Network, etc.

I have an Admin. Account that works fine, so I can use my
computer, but
would like to have at least one guest or standard account operable.
Any help would be appreciated.

________________________

Hi Capecod--

I'd try restoring the default to get the user account back. It shouldn't
impact your ability to use the box with your account. If necessary, you can
set up your admin account then.

HOW TO Reset Security Settings Back to the Defaults:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313222

Good luck,

CH

 

[SRChiP]

It happened to me once, it was something to do with Vista startup files
corrupted. I think you can't replace those files as they are in the windows
core. Admin accounts load late too.
I think it happened when I plugged the computer off by accident while
half-installing an update.

I had to reinstall windows to fix it.