windows log on and automatic log off

[Jen]

I am having similar problems to other users. At the
welcome screen I am able to log on. It then briefly
flashes the desktop background, and then says saving your
settings and logs you out, returning you to the welcome
screen. I tried restarting in safe mode and still the
same problem occurred. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated!

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Try a repair install as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

If this gets you to the desktop, you should make sure your antivirus is up
to date and run a virus scan on your system as a precaution. Also,
download, install and urn Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com

 

[Dave]

Having identical problem (virus?)& cannot access in safe
mode or last known config...XP recovery is only thru
harddisk, ie I don't have an XP CD ... any way to do a
last backup onto a CD before I recover & reformat? Thx in
advance for any help!

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

No, but you might try creating a separate partition if you don't already
have one (It will require third party software such as Partition Magic,
www.powerquest.com) and reinstall XP to that partition if your recovery will
allow that, then copy your data from the old setup to the new one.

Failing that, you could purchase a retail version of XP and do the above.
That is the best solution as running as you are as I'm sure you realize by
now is like walking a tightrope without a net in a huge wind storm. Issues
such as these are going to happen and what will you do if your hard drive
fails? In addition to making sure you are always backed up, having XP on CD
is a bit of extra insurance. Further, the CD has tools you can try before
resorting to formatting and starting over. They can be most handy and gives
you alternatives you don't currently have.

If you have another version of Windows on CD, any 9x version will do, as
long as it's a retail version and not some customized OEM version you could
use it as qualifying media and only need to purchase an XP Home or Pro
upgrade version which is considerably less expensive than the retail
version.