Can't log on : cycles to log off

[Guest]

When I try to log on the dialog box cycles through "retrieving user
settings"... "logging off"... "saving user settings"... and then returns me
to a log in screen.

The log in screen is more like an NT screen with fields for user ID and
password rather than the XP screen with a button for my users.

I have tried my ID, "XP" and "Administrator" with similar results.

I installed xp service pack 2 about a week ago.

Just before this occured the computer reported "lost or damaged clusters on
startup and I allowed it to go through the repair process. The only file
listed as damaged had nothing to do with start up [thumbs.db in my pictures]

Thanks

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

You have let some virus or spyware trash the system. Putting on SP2 probably just made the damage apparent.

875350 - How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install: http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mark!

What worked was a link on the page "how to perform an XP repair install"
that led to http://www.digitalwebcast.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658-0.
I would have tried your suggestion, but the link had dire warnings about
backing up everything beforehand. I was a week out of date and did not want
to risk losing my newest stuff.

Once again Thanks!

You have let some virus or spyware trash the system. Putting on SP2 probably just made the damage apparent.

875350 - How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install: http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Mark L. Ferguson
FAQ for Windows Antispy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

When I try to log on the dialog box cycles through "retrieving user
settings"... "logging off"... "saving user settings"... and then returns me
to a log in screen.

The log in screen is more like an NT screen with fields for user ID and
password rather than the XP screen with a button for my users.

I have tried my ID, "XP" and "Administrator" with similar results.

I installed xp service pack 2 about a week ago.

Just before this occured the computer reported "lost or damaged clusters on
startup and I allowed it to go through the repair process. The only file
listed as damaged had nothing to do with start up [thumbs.db in my pictures]

Thanks