Deleted a key item in WinXP logon part of registry

[Leopheard]

Okay, when trying to fix the problem in this posting just previously
(http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/
browse_thread/thread/b70a33d2f9d34418?hl=en#), I inadvertently deleted
an item in part of the ...WinNT/Logon/Userinit I think it was. The
string pointed towards c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe (or similar).

In short, I am a complete IDIOT of huge proportions.

Now, I am completely locked out of this other machine and I'm very
annoyed at my stupidity.

Previously my account (XP behind the scenes refered to as the 'owner'
one) would log straight in and go into the desktop. Now it tries to,
but then goes back to the user login screen with 'me' & the 'guest'
account. If I click either, it tries to login ('loading settings')
waits a few seconds then says 'saving settings' and logs back out to
the login screen.

I've tried in safe mode also, but cannot get any further.

The annoying thing is that I saved a backup of the above registry
branch before editing it and if I could get to it again (saved on my
desktop) I'm pretty sure I could get it working again. Does anyone
have any suggestions or how I could put this backup back into my
registry without logging into windows?

I've considered doing a 'non-destructive system restore' so it keep
the data and puts Windows back to how it was at shipping, but I'm not
sure whether it'd remove software installed etc. so that's further
down the line.

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could help!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Okay, when trying to fix the problem in this posting just previously
(http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/
browse_thread/thread/b70a33d2f9d34418?hl=en#), I inadvertently deleted
an item in part of the ...WinNT/Logon/Userinit I think it was. The
string pointed towards c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe (or similar).

In short, I am a complete IDIOT of huge proportions.

Now, I am completely locked out of this other machine and I'm very
annoyed at my stupidity.

Previously my account (XP behind the scenes refered to as the 'owner'
one) would log straight in and go into the desktop. Now it tries to,
but then goes back to the user login screen with 'me' & the 'guest'
account. If I click either, it tries to login ('loading settings')
waits a few seconds then says 'saving settings' and logs back out to
the login screen.

I've tried in safe mode also, but cannot get any further.

The annoying thing is that I saved a backup of the above registry
branch before editing it and if I could get to it again (saved on my
desktop) I'm pretty sure I could get it working again. Does anyone
have any suggestions or how I could put this backup back into my
registry without logging into windows?

I've considered doing a 'non-destructive system restore' so it keep
the data and puts Windows back to how it was at shipping, but I'm not
sure whether it'd remove software installed etc. so that's further
down the line.

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could help!

As you say, you shot yourself in the foot. The problem you refer to
is well understood and can be fixed in a number of ways. Here is
one - it is based on a manual "System Restore".
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

See "Verifying and fixing the Userinit value in the registry"
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


Okay, when trying to fix the problem in this posting just previously
(http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/
browse_thread/thread/b70a33d2f9d34418?hl=en#), I inadvertently deleted
an item in part of the ...WinNT/Logon/Userinit I think it was. The
string pointed towards c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe (or similar).

In short, I am a complete IDIOT of huge proportions.

Now, I am completely locked out of this other machine and I'm very
annoyed at my stupidity.

Previously my account (XP behind the scenes refered to as the 'owner'
one) would log straight in and go into the desktop. Now it tries to,
but then goes back to the user login screen with 'me' & the 'guest'
account. If I click either, it tries to login ('loading settings')
waits a few seconds then says 'saving settings' and logs back out to
the login screen.

I've tried in safe mode also, but cannot get any further.

The annoying thing is that I saved a backup of the above registry
branch before editing it and if I could get to it again (saved on my
desktop) I'm pretty sure I could get it working again. Does anyone
have any suggestions or how I could put this backup back into my
registry without logging into windows?

I've considered doing a 'non-destructive system restore' so it keep
the data and puts Windows back to how it was at shipping, but I'm not
sure whether it'd remove software installed etc. so that's further
down the line.

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could help!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

See "Verifying and fixing the Userinit value in the registry"
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog

============

While I fully agree with the article's recommendation of using
a Bart PE boot CD (I have owned and used one myself for many
years!), I think it worth mentioning that manufacturing this fine
tool is not a trivial affair. It requires the following:
- A Windows Professional CD (but no product code)
- A CD burner
- Between 1 and 4 hours of your time, depending of your level
of experience.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Thanks for the input, Pegasus. Will add that info in the article.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog



See "Verifying and fixing the Userinit value in the registry"
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog

============

While I fully agree with the article's recommendation of using
a Bart PE boot CD (I have owned and used one myself for many
years!), I think it worth mentioning that manufacturing this fine
tool is not a trivial affair. It requires the following:
- A Windows Professional CD (but no product code)
- A CD burner
- Between 1 and 4 hours of your time, depending of your level
of experience.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Sounds like you could make a couple bucks running a side business.

"FREE Bart PE Boot CD - pay only shipping and handling!"

Nope. Not only is the CD copyrighted but its author put an
enormous amount of work into creating and improving it. He
is the only person entitled to offer such a service.

 

[Nonny]

Nope. Not only is the CD copyrighted but its author put an
enormous amount of work into creating and improving it. He
is the only person entitled to offer such a service.

Does he? Sounds like it would be easier to just buy the thing than to
try to make one.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Does he? Sounds like it would be easier to just buy the thing than to
try to make one.

Download the kit and read the small print. And anyway, we're
not into stealing intellectual property, are we?

 

[Nonny]

Download the kit and read the small print. And anyway, we're
not into stealing intellectual property, are we?

Nope (speaking only for myself).

I visited the site. Seems like he thinks his product is outdated:
i.e., what he was providing is already on the XP CD so he stopped (it
would appear) updating in 2002.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Nope (speaking only for myself).

I visited the site. Seems like he thinks his product is outdated:
i.e., what he was providing is already on the XP CD so he stopped (it
would appear) updating in 2002.

You must have looked in the wrong place. This is his site:
http://www.nu2.nu/
Feb 13, 2006
PE Builder v3.1.10 released!
Okt 2, 2006
New version of PEBuilder is under development (Profiles, UDF support).
Copyright (c) 2000-2008 by Bart Lagerweij. All rights reserved.

Outdated or not, it makes no difference to his rights. DOS came out
in about 1978 and was superseded by Win95 some 13 years ago, yet
Microsoft still own and enforce all copyrights.

 

[Nonny]

You must have looked in the wrong place. This is his site:
http://www.nu2.nu/
Feb 13, 2006
PE Builder v3.1.10 released!
Okt 2, 2006
New version of PEBuilder is under development (Profiles, UDF support).
Copyright (c) 2000-2008 by Bart Lagerweij. All rights reserved.

Outdated or not, it makes no difference to his rights. DOS came out
in about 1978 and was superseded by Win95 some 13 years ago, yet
Microsoft still own and enforce all copyrights.

I went to the site, but got this page (from Google):

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

and didn't spend a lot of time there.

I now see that the newest version is credited at the top of the page.

Thanks.