user profie problem

[Guest]

I am running xp home sp2. with two accounts, self and spouse both admistrator
status, which work ok.
The problem is I cannot activate the Guest account or create new users.
The icons appear on the logon screen but do not work.
I am not surprised that the new users do not work as no new folders are
created in the "Documents and Settings" folder.
I assume the guest account uses the "All Users" folder.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

My guess would be that your Userinit.exe file was damaged.

To repair all system files, go to Start/Run, and type:

SFC /SCANNOW

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mark.
Ran SFC but no user related files were picked up.
I renamed Userinit and copied the version (same) from service pack files.
Still no change.
Interestingly running Userinit lauches an explorer page of My Docs.
I noticed a file called User.exe in same location as Userinit but can't find
another copy on hard drive or XP disc. Could this be relavant?
Running user.exe does nothing.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

It sounds like you have a Policy setting turning off Guest. Open GPEDIT.MSC


Comp. config/Windows settings/Security settings/Local Policy/Sec
Options/"Accounts: Guest account status"

 

[Guest]

No luck, GPEDIT.MSC does not seem to exist on my system.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

My guess would be some corrupt file. Let's try replacing winlogon.exe

run from a boot to CD and Recovery Console (press 'r' for Repair), the
command:

(cd drive letter here):/i386/expand.exe (cd drive letter
here):/i386/winlogon.ex_ %windir%/system32/winlogon.exe

This might also be some variation on the adaware damage bug.

adaware error Unable to Log On To Windows XP After Removing wsaupdater.exe:
http://www.lavasofthelp.com/articles/v6/04/06/0901.html

 

[Guest]

Err had problems with your syntax ! used help file to finally get a
legitimate command. But no success , not really my field this sort of thing.
Message said could not expand the file.
The cd rom drive did not seem to be working as i could not eject the disk.
It was a lot easier with Win 98 where you could use system file checker to
extract and replace files.
Looks like I will be doing a" format drive and reinstall" over Xmas.

 

[Guest]

Finally sorted it, I let xp do a repair/reinstall via the cd rom. Had to
reinstall SP2 as well.
All fine now, many thanks for your help Mark.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Congrats, Well Done. Not many I help here have the stuff it takes to stick
with it till they try everything it takes.