Windows does not start unless I use Task Manager

[nobody]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open use
explorer.exe

regards

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open use
explorer.exe

regards

I would use System Restore to return Windows to its usual condition.

 

[nobody]

I would use System Restore to return Windows to its usual condition.

I have tried this but the problem returns

 

[nobody]

if you have a microsoft XP-SP3 setup cd (not a PC manufacturer's
recovery disc) you could try performing a 'repair' install:

'How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install'
(http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm)

I will probably try your suggestion but reluctantly as I need tro ensure
that my raid driver is not removed during the repair. My real desire is to
learn what specifically is causing the problem

 

[Elmo]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing "R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have tried this but the problem returns

Are you saying that System Restore fixes the problem temporarily but that it
returns later? If so then you have some third-party software, perhaps even
malware or a virus, that's interfering with Windows. Unless you get rid of
it you won't solve the problem.

Or are you saying that System Restore does not fix the problem? If so then
you did not go back far enough.

 

[nobody]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The
desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing
"R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c

Joe,

I think you have solved it. In the first reg entry you gave for
userinit.exe mine says

C:\windows\system32\useinit.exe,C:\windows\system32\twext.exe,

Googling tells me that twext.exe is a trojan

I will delete it as see if the problem goes away

regards,

 

[Elmo]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The
desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing
"R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c

Joe,

I think you have solved it. In the first reg entry you gave for
userinit.exe mine says

C:\windows\system32\useinit.exe,C:\windows\system32\twext.exe,

Googling tells me that twext.exe is a trojan

I will delete it as see if the problem goes away

regards,

You probably also need to do a complete sweep for other malware. Try
your a/v software if the malware hasn't disabled it, plus:

Malwarebytes© Corporation
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
- or -

SuperAntispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

 

[nobody]

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The
desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing
"R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c

Joe,

I think you have solved it. In the first reg entry you gave for
userinit.exe mine says

C:\windows\system32\useinit.exe,C:\windows\system32\twext.exe,

Googling tells me that twext.exe is a trojan

I will delete it as see if the problem goes away

regards,

Joe,

I cannot delete the file twext.exe even inm safe mode. I deleted it as a
suffix to userinit.exe in the the registry but on restarting XP it has
returned. Do you know a procedure I can use to delete the file?

regards,

"nobody"

 

[nobody]

nobody wrote:
My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The
desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three
finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing
"R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c

Joe,

I think you have solved it. In the first reg entry you gave for
userinit.exe mine says

C:\windows\system32\useinit.exe,C:\windows\system32\twext.exe,

Googling tells me that twext.exe is a trojan

I will delete it as see if the problem goes away

regards,

Joe,

I cannot delete the file twext.exe even inm safe mode. I deleted it as a
suffix to userinit.exe in the the registry but on restarting XP it has
returned. Do you know a procedure I can use to delete the file?

regards,

"nobody"

Update: I have just noticed that twext.exe has returned in the registry.
I deleted it again but it immediately returns. Do you think it might be the
file itself that is re-entering the registry value or could it be something
else. I cannot access the properties of the file

regards,

"nobody"

 

[Bob I]

nobody wrote:

Update: I have just noticed that twext.exe has returned in the registry.
I deleted it again but it immediately returns. Do you think it might be the
file itself that is re-entering the registry value or could it be something
else. I cannot access the properties of the file

regards,

"nobody"

Follow the first hit here.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=remove+twext.exe&aq=f&oq=

 

[Franky]

Hi to Elmo,

I was looking on the net for hours, but you gave me the solution.
My userini in the registry was changed, it had an addition of ",,SKEYS/L"
When i removed it, it came back.
It was , or still is infected by some virus, i removed a few so far using a
external scan with kaspersky and avast.
All other options i already tried.

Good job!

PS, when i was writing this, i removed the file SKEYS.exe in about 40
places, loaded the hive and removed the addition ",,SKEYS/L" and restarted,
it works great. The only strange thing is that SKEYS.EXE is not seen as a
virus nor adware. But i am sure it is one or the other, i have send it to a
few to have a look at it.

Have a great weekend.

Franky

My XP Pro SP3 boots but the Windows startup does not appear. The desktop
window is bright but it does not have anything on it. If I three finger
start task manager then Windows will always start when I open
Explorer.exe

regards

This is what ju.c suggested in another post:

Desktop Icons and the Taskbar Fail to Load at Startup

This problem may be fixed by using one of these 4 repairs.


(1) Restore a Missing "userinit" Registry Value:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Userinit"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\userinit.exe,"

----------copy inside only----------

2. If your Windows is not on drive C: replace C: with your Windows
drive letter and Save As Userinit.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(2) Delete an Incorrect "Explorer.Exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Open the Run box and enter:

regedit

2. Go to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image
File Execution Options]
3. If you see "explorer.exe" as a subkey below, delete it.
4. Restart.


(3) Restore a Missing "explorer.exe" Entry in the Registry:

1. Copy below and paste into Notepad:

----------copy inside only----------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

----------copy inside only----------

2. Save As WinLogon.reg (or any name + .reg).
3. Double-click or right-click and merge into the registry.
4. Restart.


(4) Exlorer.exe is Missing:

If explorer.exe is not in C:\WINDOWS\ then insert your Windows CD and,
using the 'Task Manager' (File -> New Task), run the 'System File
Checker' utility with this command:

sfc /scannow

If the 'System File Checker' didn't replace it, boot to the Recovery
Console with the Windows CD and copy explorer.exe manually:

1. Insert the Windows CD and restart.
2. When setup begins, choose the "Repair or Recover" option by pressing "R".
3. Once at the command prompt, enter:

expand D:\i386 /F:EXPLORER.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /y

(D: is the CD drive letter, C: is the Windows partition, change if
necessary
4. To exit the Recovery Console, type:

exit.

If the desktop still does not load then, from within the Task Manager,
run a new task to open the Registry Editor:
regedit.exe
and check the registry data from above, adding as necessary if it is
missing or incorrect.

Also check that this policy is not enabled:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDesktop"=hex:00,00,00,00


ju.c