XP logs on and logs off again - no safe mode 1

[sjk1000]

Hi all
I've a problem with my XP installation. When I select a user from the welcome screen, it attempts to log on then instantly logs off and back to the welcome screen. Safe mode, safe mode with networking and safe mode with command prompt all reload the installation and return it to the welcome screen. The original xp disc returns me to the welcome screen even when i disable all mention of the hard drive in the bios and direct it only to the cd rom. This is a new one . Any ideas?
Thanks, Steve

 

[goombawaho]

The original xp disc returns me to the welcome screen even when i disable all mention of the hard drive in the bios and direct it only to the cd rom."


^^^^ This doesn't make any sense to me.

Also, is this a brand new installation, one that's been running for a while. If it's a new installation - was it cloned from another hard drive??

 

[linney]

Some things for you to look at.

Logon - Logoff loop, also caused by BlazeFind

http://www.winxptutor.com/wsaremove.htm

http://www.paulscomputerservice.net/index.php?body=./os/autoLogoff.php

Log in Logs straight back Out
thread779-924408: Log in Logs straight back Out

logs you on loads personal settings then logs you off?
thread779-919265: logs you on loads personal settings then logs you off?

A second reason can be security policy settings:
Fast User Switching and Welcome Screen in Windows XP

http://exodusdev.com/tech-tips/windows-xp-pro-login-problems

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.

Removing adware & spyware
FAQ608-4650: Before Posting a Hijack log file - Best Practices

 

[emartinho]

Hi,

I had the same problem, albeit with Windows 2000. There may be other reasons, but in my case my hard drive was about to bite the bullet. Have you previously been hearing strange beeps and whirs while working with your computer? I did and thought nothing of it until the OS stopped letting me log on.

Your best bet is getting a new hard drive, installing XP and copying over your stuff. In my case, I tried reinstalling Windows to the same drive but the installation failed while writing to my disk and so I ended up having to replace it.

Hope this helps.
-Elio

 

[goombawaho]

^^^^^ NO. You never buy a new hard drive as a guess. You can run the manufacturer's utility on the hard drive to confirm whether it's healthy or not. Only then would you consider a purchase.

Only IF you had a spare hard drive around and only as a last resort would I try loading Windows on a new HDD as a test. Too much work and doesn't solve the problem!!!

Now backing up your data is always a good idea.

 

[JockMullin]

One of my custs had this problem on a home laptop just this week. Booted Ubuntu Hardy 8.04 CD and looked at system32 folder and found userinit.exe was missing.

Restored it from windows\servicepackfiles\i386 and login worked normally. Then found malware with Windows defender and had to remove a couple of RUN items in the registry where it was trying to rundll32 atiwuzoz.dll and growusuqik.dll (both nonexistent). Now everything seems good.

I assumed those were also part of the malware and what I had was a partially removed malware situation. However didn't bother chasing it any further.

It's hard to charge custs enough for doing this sort of thing.

Jock