HELP with Windows XP Problem

[MonMod]

When I start Windows it loads up (I can see the wallpaper, but no icons or
taskbar). But then logs out and takes me to the Windows login screen (which I
never used to see, before as there is only one user on my PC). click on the
one and only icon and it begins to log me in and then immediately says,
"Logging Out - saving personal settings". Whenever I try and login the same
problem happens over and over, it attempts to loads up and then automatically
logs out.

I have tried starting Windows in safe mode and 'last known good
configuration'. With the exact same problem.

Tried logging in safe mode with the command prompt and it spawns the
situation above with one additional item on the page - an administrator user
login icon. When I hit the admin icon, same situation above. And,
obviously, I do not get the command prompt I ask for.

I have no operating system discs since the computer came from DELL. The
only disc I have is the Drivers and Utilities disc.

This problem started after I completed two tasks (which I was doing
simultaneously) 1) defraging hard drive using Nortons Optimization tool, and
2) removing items from the start-up menu, again directed to that screen
through Norton.

 

[db]

you might try booting
up with a windows xp
cd

then select the "repair"
option the initiate the
recovery console.

when you get to the disk
prompt run the following
commands:

chkdsk /p
fixboot

then "exit", remove cd
and see if you can access
the windows again using
the methods you had previously
tried.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[Gerry]

You cannot use the Recovery Console on a Dell Computer!


--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

MonMod

Do you have important data you need to recover. If yes you should do
this before attempting a repair. Do you have access to a second
computer?

What is the make and model of the problem computer? What is the make and
model of the second computer?

Recovery can be done without booting the computer but needs a second
computer to be available to carry out the operation. In essence the hard
drive is removed from the problem computer and is, either placed in the
second computer as a slave drive or is placed in an external cradle
connected to the second computer. Either way you bypass the damaged
operating system on the first computer and use the operating system of
the second computer to read and copy the data files to removable media
such as a CD.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[MonMod]

db - thank you so much for responding to me.
Unfortunately, as I mentioned I do not have the windows xp cd as I purchased
from DELL and they never include (assume this is protection for MS and
reduces consumer cost for OS.) I have, just today, requested that from DELL
but offers me little help right now.

Do you possibly have another suggestion for me?
Without the dos command prompt, I am not sure that I can do anything.

Thanks to all who can chime in,
Monica

 

[HeyBub]

When I start Windows it loads up (I can see the wallpaper, but no
icons or taskbar). But then logs out and takes me to the Windows
login screen (which I never used to see, before as there is only one
user on my PC). click on the one and only icon and it begins to log
me in and then immediately says, "Logging Out - saving personal
settings". Whenever I try and login the same problem happens over
and over, it attempts to loads up and then automatically logs out.

I have tried starting Windows in safe mode and 'last known good
configuration'. With the exact same problem.

Tried logging in safe mode with the command prompt and it spawns the
situation above with one additional item on the page - an
administrator user login icon. When I hit the admin icon, same
situation above. And, obviously, I do not get the command prompt I
ask for.

I have no operating system discs since the computer came from DELL.
The only disc I have is the Drivers and Utilities disc.

This problem started after I completed two tasks (which I was doing
simultaneously) 1) defraging hard drive using Nortons Optimization
tool, and 2) removing items from the start-up menu, again directed to
that screen through Norton.

Had you come to this newsgroup sooner, you would have learned three things:

1. Make a distribution CD from the hidden partition on your hard drive,
2. Don't use anything bearing the name "Norton" or "Symantec," and
3. I forget the third thing.

 

[db]

oh yes,

you did mention not
having any cd's.
sorry for that.

since the repair feature
is computer friendly,

perhaps, you can
borrow someone's
xp cd.

-----------------------------

there is another option
being that you might be
able to create a rescue disk,

that is if you have a blank cd,
cd writer and access to
a functional computer.

here are some of the
providers:

http://tinyurl.com/ccf6l4

http://tinyurl.com/kpc6sr

however, I haven't used
any of the above, but it
doesn't mean that they do
not work.

-----------------

there is an old trick which
may or may not help.

after booting and selecting
an option from the boot menu,
like normal mode,

immediately hold down the
right shift key until you begin
seeing an icon on the desktop.

it will take about 4 times longer
for the desktop to show up so
be patient and don't release
the shift key.

either the desktop will appear
and stay or

your machine will simply reboot.

if the desktop does appear
but there are no icons,

then press alt tab del
to launch the task manager.

then end the explorer.exe
process and go to the menu
bar and run new task:

explorer.exe

if the above works out,
then you will have an
opportunity to disable
all your startups and non
microsoft services.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[MonMod]

Gerry - you are brilliant! Yes, I purchase a second computer for my BF a few
months after this one with the problem. Identical computer and this could be
used for creating a recover CD or even as you suggest as the alt drive to
Windows. I will try this tonight or tomorrow morning and definetly come back
and tell ya'll if it worked.

GREAT BIG THANK YOU FOR THE IDEA

Monica

 

[MonMod]

HeyBub - appreciate the words, and the funny thing is that I am actually
using AVG. Only using Norton for the utilities features. Regarding the
back-up partition... I am a layman, amature, everday-gal - and not
sophisticated like the users on this forum. This is why we layman come here,
to seek the advice of friendly experts.

You have a nice day.

 

[Leythos]

*WARNING* Do NOT follow any advice given by the people listed below.
They do NOT have the expertise or knowledge to fix your issue. Do not waste
your time.

And yet you continue to stalk myself and others in your usenet postings,
showing that you are not to be trusted, you are unethical, you are as
bad as the community states you are.

 

[Barry Schwarz]

Download my userinit fix from here http://www.ms-mvp.org/ this file works
for SP2 and SP3 only. READ the enclosed instructions. If you have SP1 do not
use this file. If you need any other version then email me using the link at
the bottom of my webpage. Your issue is caused by a malware infestation.
Once fixed you will need to use my Remove-it software, it will remove that
malware from your system. Choose yes for all options when prompted. Download
it here http://www.ms-mvp.org/

This is not the MVP site despite its fake logos.

The correct MVP site is http://www.mvps.org/.