Can't log on to Windows XP

[Reason4]

I have exactly (I mean exactly!) the same problem as was recently posted by
JCook. The system will boot up but won't allow logon -- it just goes into a
start up/shut down loop. The same thing happens in Safe Mode except that both
the Administrator and normal user logon icons are presented.

I am running XP Professional on a Dell Dimension 4600 that is about almost 5
years old.

Malke, I just tried your recommendation about trying to boot to the last
known good configuration -- no dice. I just get the same logon loop.

I am working from my laptop now because, of course, I can't access the
desktop right now. Any and all help will be appreciated!!

 

[Malke]

I have exactly (I mean exactly!) the same problem as was recently posted
by JCook. The system will boot up but won't allow logon -- it just goes
into a start up/shut down loop. The same thing happens in Safe Mode except
that both the Administrator and normal user logon icons are presented.

I am running XP Professional on a Dell Dimension 4600 that is about almost
5 years old.

Malke, I just tried your recommendation about trying to boot to the last
known good configuration -- no dice. I just get the same logon loop.

I am working from my laptop now because, of course, I can't access the
desktop right now. Any and all help will be appreciated!!

What is the recent history of this machine? Do you know if it is
virus/malware-free?

If as far as you know the machine is clean and there have been no changes, I
think I'd do some hardware troubleshooting. If you haven't backed up your
data yet, I would. Unless the hard drive has physical damage you can still
back up your data even if you can't boot into Windows. Let me know if you
need details about that.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. Testing hardware failures often
involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't
do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer,
take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data
backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke

 

[Reason4]

First of all, thanks for your willingness to help.

Now to your question; we run AVG and Avast antivirus programs, use Spybot
and Ad-Aware along with Windows Defender and SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard.

In the last couple of weeks we have gotten hits from Spybot for what seems
to be Stration C and Trojan Norio malware. Hubby has made efforts to remove
these but the results have been questionable.

I would appreciate knowing more about being able to back up data. The only
thing we would lose is one day's files but if we can avoid losing that it
would be great.

 

[Malke]

First of all, thanks for your willingness to help.

Now to your question; we run AVG and Avast antivirus programs, use Spybot
and Ad-Aware along with Windows Defender and SpywareBlaster and
SpywareGuard.

I hope you are not running AVG Antivirus and Avast Antivirus at the same
time. If you are, this could most certainly cause problems. I also would
not run Windows Defender and SpywareGuard at the same time. You only want
*one* antivirus program running resident and you only want *one*
antispyware program running resident.

In the last couple of weeks we have gotten hits from Spybot for what seems
to be Stration C and Trojan Norio malware. Hubby has made efforts to
remove these but the results have been questionable.

As far as I'm concerned, your computer is in an unknown state. I have no
idea what your husband has done, what you have installed, or whether in
spite of all the stuff you have running the machine is really clean. There
is always the possibility of hardware failure, too. There is simply no way
for me to guess what's going on here since I can't see the machine.

If you can't log into Windows in any fashion, the only thing you can do is
boot with a Bart's PE or some other rescue media such as ERD Commander (an
old, expensive program that has been discontinued), load the registry hive
from the target drive and see if winlogon is damaged and if it has, repair
it. The correct registry entry for winlogon is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Userinit string value should be:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

Note the trailing comma, which should be there.

You might also be able to salvage the system by pulling the drive and
slaving it in a working XP machine - or put it in an external enclosure -
and scanning it from the working XP install. Or at least see what's going
on and/or pull the data off by copying it from the working install.

Malke

 

[carcari]

I have the same problem that just started tonight on a Toshiba Laptop
with Windows XP Home. After entering the password it says "Loading
User Settings" then goes to "Saving User Settings" and goes back to
the Logon screen.