Logon Problems

[Guest]

I have a logon problem in Windows XP that a haven't been able to diagnose.

When I log on, the PC hangs during the logon process before loading things
like the toolbar and desktop icons.

If I press escape it clears whatever process is causing it to hang and
resumes successful logon.

I would like to find out what is causing it to hang, but haven't been able
to. There doesn't seem to be anything in the startup folder that shouldn't be
there. When I examine the event log, I can't find anything that leads me to
the problem.

What would you suggest is the best way to diagnose this? Any ideas?

Many thanks

 

[JS]

Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx
This will show all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot and those
that run when you logon!
You can selectively allow or stop any applications that you don't want to
run.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you may need to
highlight the item (right click) and use the 'Search Online' option to get
the details, especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

JS

 

[AJR]

Dave - not sure if I remember correctly - but holding down the "Shift" key
while computer boots has it boot without loading startup items. Give it a
try - if it solves the problem use "msconfig" to isolate the application or
service.

 

[Guest]

JS/AJR - thanks for the suggestions.

In the end I located the logon problem using msconfig. It turns out to be a
service called 'TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper' - if I disable this service, the
machine no longer hangs at logon.

However, when I disable this service I am no longer able to access a VPN
connection that I have in My Network Places.

Do you think this is likely to be something to do with the configuration
settings for the VPN? Is it attempting to establish a connection to the VPN
at logon and finding itself unable to do so because the password isn't
stored? Or might it be trying to connect to the VPN before the internet
connection is established? What actions does the OS take at logon in relation
to VPN connections, specifically in relation to the service 'TCP/IP NetBIOS
Helper'?

My VPN connection is set up with all the dialing options checked, with
typical security settings, with 'require data encryption' checked, with type
specified as 'Automatic' and with the following networking options checked:
IP TCP/IP, QoS Packet Sharing and Client for MS Networks.

Any suggestions as to why these configuration settings cause the 'TCP/IP
NetBIOS Helper' service to hang at logon?

Many thanks for any help.

Dave

 

[JS]

I think your on the right track.

JS

JS/AJR - thanks for the suggestions.

In the end I located the logon problem using msconfig. It turns out to be
a
service called 'TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper' - if I disable this service, the
machine no longer hangs at logon.

However, when I disable this service I am no longer able to access a VPN
connection that I have in My Network Places.

Do you think this is likely to be something to do with the configuration
settings for the VPN? Is it attempting to establish a connection to the
VPN
at logon and finding itself unable to do so because the password isn't
stored? Or might it be trying to connect to the VPN before the internet
connection is established? What actions does the OS take at logon in
relation
to VPN connections, specifically in relation to the service 'TCP/IP
NetBIOS
Helper'?

My VPN connection is set up with all the dialing options checked, with
typical security settings, with 'require data encryption' checked, with
type
specified as 'Automatic' and with the following networking options
checked:
IP TCP/IP, QoS Packet Sharing and Client for MS Networks.

Any suggestions as to why these configuration settings cause the 'TCP/IP
NetBIOS Helper' service to hang at logon?

Many thanks for any help.

Dave