Windows won't let me in !

[Joanne]

Using my laptop - Windows XP Home Edition. Was working fine, as always. Had a
couple of registry changes windows, for Macromedia - allowed them. Ran
Spybot, allowing a restore point first. After Spybot found some problems and
I allowed them to be removed, I rebooted.

Now, Windows won't let me in.

I get the window to select my name or a guest, and my computer previously
wasn't set up that way - it used to load and go right to my desktop.
Selecting either shows settings loading, then a quick screen flash, briefly
showing the desktop, then right back to that selection window, showing the
settings are being saved, then the two choices again - me or a guest.

At the bottom left is the option that gives the three choices. I've done the
restart and the shut down, twice each. Same result.

Started in safe mode, several times, using different choices. Each time, it
gets me to that same choices windows - administrator or me, now, and smaller
- with the same flashing result and back to the same window.

I've used Spybot Search and Destroy for years, on both this laptop and my
desktop PC, with no problem. Right now, am on my fiance's computer, but I
have a lot of "stuff" on the laptop I need to get to.

HELP!!! Any suggestions?

Thanks - Joanne

 

[nass]

Using my laptop - Windows XP Home Edition. Was working fine, as always. Had a
couple of registry changes windows, for Macromedia - allowed them. Ran
Spybot, allowing a restore point first. After Spybot found some problems and
I allowed them to be removed, I rebooted.

Now, Windows won't let me in.

I get the window to select my name or a guest, and my computer previously
wasn't set up that way - it used to load and go right to my desktop.
Selecting either shows settings loading, then a quick screen flash, briefly
showing the desktop, then right back to that selection window, showing the
settings are being saved, then the two choices again - me or a guest.

At the bottom left is the option that gives the three choices. I've done the
restart and the shut down, twice each. Same result.

Started in safe mode, several times, using different choices. Each time, it
gets me to that same choices windows - administrator or me, now, and smaller
- with the same flashing result and back to the same window.

I've used Spybot Search and Destroy for years, on both this laptop and my
desktop PC, with no problem. Right now, am on my fiance's computer, but I
have a lot of "stuff" on the laptop I need to get to.

HELP!!! Any suggestions?

Thanks - Joanne

What Happen if you pressed F8 many times on Start up til you get the boot
options and select:
Start Windows with the configuration that worked
And see if that will let you to log on then try system restore.
It will be handy if you told us what S&D found!
Do you have an Installation media Disc or Recovery Disc?
HTH.
nass

 

[Joanne]

What Happen if you pressed F8 many times on Start up til you get the boot
options and select:
Start Windows with the configuration that worked
And see if that will let you to log on then try system restore.
It will be handy if you told us what S&D found!
Do you have an Installation media Disc or Recovery Disc?
HTH.
nass

nass -

Yes, I did that, during safe mode - F8 - booting up. I tried everyone
option, starting from scratch every time, including the restore. Each time,
it gives that sign in window, but smaller in safe mode, with administrator or
my name. Selecting either one gives the same result - loading windows
settings, a quick flash and then settings are being saved. In the same loop.

S&D found about 8 items, most familiar to me from other times, but I don't
have a list of them - can't get to it!

Any other thoughts?

Thanks - Joanne

 

[Mopeyone]

Joanne, the EXACT same thing happened to us yesterday! I've been on line,
here from work, almost all day, trying to find some solution, and I've sent a
request to Microsoft for a solution. My husband and I are not
technologically savvy, but I've copied some things to try once I get home -
including trying a system restore from safe mode. I hope it works, or I'll
have a long weekend with no computer. I'm very frustrated. All was working
completely fine before yesterday's update.

If we click on the welcome icon by our name we get quickly concurrent
messages "loading your personal settings" "logging off" "saving your
settings". The computer does not actually shut down, just goes back to that
screen. If you hit Cntrl/Alt/Delete twice, you'll get to the logon to
windows screen. Here, too, it asks for a password - which we've never needed
- but won't let us in. Cannot cancel, cannot access workstation, cannot
access control panel or start. Right clicking does nothing.

We have no installation or media disks to allow recovery that way. I've
never had to use safe mode or restore before, so hope it works the first
time. Thanks for putting the first post out there on this problem,

Mopeyone

 

[nass]

nass -

Yes, I did that, during safe mode - F8 - booting up. I tried everyone
option, starting from scratch every time, including the restore. Each time,
it gives that sign in window, but smaller in safe mode, with administrator or
my name. Selecting either one gives the same result - loading windows
settings, a quick flash and then settings are being saved. In the same loop.

S&D found about 8 items, most familiar to me from other times, but I don't
have a list of them - can't get to it!

Any other thoughts?

Thanks - Joanne

Do you have a windows XP Disk?
If you do you can start the recovery console procedure to recover and repair
corrupted/damaged Files on the system core.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
HTH.
nass

 

[Joanne]

As I['m traveling, I don't have disks with me. However, my fiance has his.

We were able to get to the VAIO restore option, but that would wipe out all
my files/data/mail, etc. CANNOT lose that stuff!

Mopeyone - I did try the restore from safe mode, but it didn't work - put me
right back in the damn loop. :-(

Wondering if using his disks will give us the option of not losing personal
data.....

- Joanne

 

[Mopeyone]

At least you have disks to try, I don't. I'm sorry safe mode didn't work -
doesn't bode well for me. I'm way past work time, but this is my only access
to email. May have to come in on my holiday days off to check this thread
for more suggestions. Still no solution from my microsoft direct solution
request.

Good luck to us both. Anybody out there with anything else to suggest?
Thanks, Nass, for what you've offered so far.

Mopeyone

 

[nass]

As I['m traveling, I don't have disks with me. However, my fiance has his.

We were able to get to the VAIO restore option, but that would wipe out all
my files/data/mail, etc. CANNOT lose that stuff!

Mopeyone - I did try the restore from safe mode, but it didn't work - put me
right back in the damn loop. :-(

Wondering if using his disks will give us the option of not losing personal
data.....

- Joanne

Joanne,
Try the Recovery console with your Fiance disk ( I hope it is the same disk)
and try the command:
chkdsk /R

Chkdsk
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491051.aspx
BTW using Recovery console will not make you lose your data but still no
gaurantee!
HTH.
nass

 

[SlmJon]

Hi Guys,

I'm having the exact same problem but when I start with F8 & select safe
with command prompt it just starts in XP like it did before. I put in the XP
disc to boot from there & it ignores it and starts in XP like before. If
ANYONE can help, please let us know!!!

 

[Mopeyone]

Nass, what happens (as you've hinted with your warning) if you use non XP
disks? I no longer have my XP disks (damaged) but do have older, Microsoft
98 disks. Can I use these to give it a try? Typing this from the library
right now - still not able to get on at home - can't even get F8 to let me
access safe mode. Still frustrated.

Mopeyone

As I['m traveling, I don't have disks with me. However, my fiance has his.

We were able to get to the VAIO restore option, but that would wipe out all
my files/data/mail, etc. CANNOT lose that stuff!

Mopeyone - I did try the restore from safe mode, but it didn't work - put me
right back in the damn loop. :-(

Wondering if using his disks will give us the option of not losing personal
data.....

- Joanne

Joanne,
Try the Recovery console with your Fiance disk ( I hope it is the same disk)
and try the command:
chkdsk /R

Chkdsk
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491051.aspx
BTW using Recovery console will not make you lose your data but still no
gaurantee!
HTH.
nass

 

[Mopeyone]

FYI - Joanne, I noticed you had just done a Spybot update and run before you
shut down. My husband confirms he did the same thing. I've just went over
to Spybot.info and sent them a message, asking if maybe there was something
in their update causing this issue.

SlmJon - did you do the same???

I'll let ya'll know if and when I hear anything from then. Means another
trip to the library later I guess.

Mopeyone

Nass, what happens (as you've hinted with your warning) if you use non XP
disks? I no longer have my XP disks (damaged) but do have older, Microsoft
98 disks. Can I use these to give it a try? Typing this from the library
right now - still not able to get on at home - can't even get F8 to let me
access safe mode. Still frustrated.

Mopeyone

As I['m traveling, I don't have disks with me. However, my fiance has his.

We were able to get to the VAIO restore option, but that would wipe out all
my files/data/mail, etc. CANNOT lose that stuff!

Mopeyone - I did try the restore from safe mode, but it didn't work - put me
right back in the damn loop. :-(

Wondering if using his disks will give us the option of not losing personal
data.....

- Joanne

Joanne,
Try the Recovery console with your Fiance disk ( I hope it is the same disk)
and try the command:
chkdsk /R

Chkdsk
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491051.aspx
BTW using Recovery console will not make you lose your data but still no
gaurantee!
HTH.
nass

 

[Joanne]

Wow - I wondered if that's what caused it - the SpyBot. Please let us know
if they reply!

I miss my computer !!!

- Joanne

 

[Joanne]

I went to the SpyBot site (thanks for the idea, mopeyone), registered and
posted this problem. Seems it's a glitch. Here's the thread, with fixes:

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30447

Haven't tried it yet - about to. The one from the SpyBot adviser. If that
doesn't work, I'm going to get the software someone else mentioned.

Good luck!

 

[Mopeyone]

Oh my gosh! I don't know whether to be happy that we are onto something, or
cry! I'm looking at the spybot post right now, and am not initially
impressed. It looks like someone tried the easiest solution and it didn't
work. Thanks for posting to the forum over there (in my library rush I
didn't have time to find it). Keep me posted here and/or there and I hope we
both get this resolved. Spybot is in a LOT of trouble!

Mopeyone

 

[Joanne]

An hour or so ago, someone replied on the SpyBot board who was VERY upset.
Couldn't fix the problem with the instructions given by SpyBot. Bought
software - Fix It something or other by something like Avanquest - said he
wasn't part of the company, got nothing for giving the advice, the software
was $40 and good for many problems, and it fixed this problem for him. Said
he'd posted this many times.

The note disappeared!

We've been working on the suggested fixes, with no luck so far. :-(

 

[Mopeyone]

Did you try that Method #2 and it didn't work? I'm still here at my work
computer (on my day off) downloading disks I can take home with me to try.
Let me know if that worked for you. Seems that Walker guy is posting all
over the place over there his displeasure, but he doesn't seem to have
downloaded the disk for Method 2 correctly - which he says doesn't work. I
know I have done it correctly - only hope it works.

I also went on the Bart guys' webpage, and in one of his additional "try
these" links downloaded the free "RegCure" registry cleaner. I'm not using
that, though, until I know more about it.

Nass - et al - it seems this is a spybot issue with corrupting registries.
Anyone have any insights as to registry cleaners and their affectiveness???

Check out Joann's link to the Spybot forum and give us your insights. We'll
both appreciate all the help we can get with this. I miss my computer, too!
and NOT the way I planned to spend my long holiday weekend off.

Joanne you are my new BFF...

Mopeyone

 

[Joanne]

TA-DA!!!

None of the fixes from SpyBot worked, so we went out and bought Fix-It
Utilities 8.0 by Avanquest. $40, with a $10 rebate from Staples. GREAT
program! Put the disk in, asked it to restore to a point we selected, and
all is well.

Whew!!!

- Joanne

 

[Mopeyone]

Well, guess where I'M headed after I get out of here (still at my work
computer). Thank you so much for continuing this thread and helping me to
get this sorted out. I can only hope the software works on my system as
well. I hope it was easy to use...

I just signed on as a forum user over at Spybot, and my question included:
what happens with running spybot after we clear our systems? Should be
interested in their reply. I'm paranoid now!!

Thanks again, BFF!!!

Mopeyone

 

[Joanne]

Yes, we thought #2 would be best. Didn't work. Tried a bunch of things,
both from the reply to my note at the SpyBot bb and other notes in other
threads there.

Am thrilled with Fix-It Utilities 8.0! Couldn't imagine not having my
computer working!

- Joanne

 

[Joanne]

Saw your note over there.

Yes, it's VERY easy to use! All we had to do was select a previous point to
restore to, and we picked just before SpyBot did its thing.

I'm sooooo relieved!!