[mikelley85]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a dire problem with my desktop. Here's the details: I had a virus/malware on my pc...tried running programs to delete them, and a week later, the big problems started.

Here's where I'm at:

-Every time i try to log onto Windows, it immediately logs me off (going back to the enter password screen).

-This same problem occurs in safe mode with both my user account and admin.

Here's what I've tried:

-Running the XP boot cd. I cant remember the administrator passoword after i tried to repair the selected Windows XP installation.

-Pressing F8 and trying to run in the last good configuration. Still no help.

Any help would be really, really appreciated. I have a lot of photo albums and documents from college i've been trying to get back. I haven't been able to get onto this computer for months. Again, my problem is being unable to log on to both regular and safe mode after getting a virus/malware.

Thanks.

[loserOlimbs]

How do you log into the PC to confirm the Admin account logs you off without the password?
Have you tried the boot CD with no password for the admin account, by default in XP Admin does not have a password, unless you set one.

[mikelley85]

thanks for the reply...

On safe mode, it's not asking for a password for Administrator. Once i click on it..it does the same thing...longs me in, then immediately right out.

I will try using the windows disc without entering a password and report the findings.

[loserOlimbs]

OK, let us know

[mikelley85]

update:

I ran the Windows XP disc to do a repair instillation as desrcibed here:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...prepair1_9.htm

went through all the steps after pressing "enter" when leaving the admin password blank.

no help.

Anyone else have any ideas? thank you!

[TheOutcaste]

Welcome to TSG!

Doing a Repair install should not ask for the Administrator password. Sounds more like you are going into the Recovery Console.

On the First screen (Step 4 in the guide), are you pressing R to repair, or Enter to Install?

See if the steps in this post help:
Looping Login Fix, Recovery Console or Vista/Win7 DVD

This shows two different methods, though it may not be clear in the post. The second method starts with this line:
From a Live CD that can edit the registry, or from a Vista/Win7 DVD,...

Do one or the other method, but not both.

Jerry

[Iainmrobinson]

Boot of Windows CD - at repair option select re-install. It will then search for existing installation, then, select repair and follow instructions on the screen. You will need your licence key. At log-on do not type in a user name just use next.
This will take you back to the original installation and delete all updates,which will need to be downloaded and installed again. I hope this helps

[mikelley85]

thanks guys for the replies. will these delete any files on my pc as far as music, photos, documents, etc? obviously i dont want that to happen....

i will let you know how these turn out.

[JustinPS]

Before doing a repair of your OS, try this:

Press F8 to go to the advanced bootup options. Choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt". When the command prompt comes up, press the X in the upper-right corner of the window to close it, then immediately press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up Task Manager. Go to File -> New Task (Run..), and type in explorer.exe

This has worked for me in the past so I could at least access my files.

If that doesn't work, then a repair of Windows should do the trick

[TheOutcaste]

Copying userinit.exe won't hurt any of your files. Worst that can happen is it won't work because this wasn't caused by the malware associated with wsaupdater.exe.
A repair install should be safe, but when things aren't working right, there is always a risk. Which is why you should always have your data backed up, at least twice for the important stuff.
If you can get in with JustinPs's method that would let you backup files. The Vista/Win 7 DVD/Recovery disk will also let you copy files to a USB drive using Robocopy or Xcopy from the Command Prompt.

[mikelley85]

re: JustinPS

the problem is, i can't even access safe mode even with command prompt.

[Iainmrobinson]

No all files and programs should remain intact.

[mikelley85]

i tried coping the userinit.exe file, but was unsuccessful. pretty much hit a road block here, not because of you guys, but because of my limited skills.

i think, unfortunately, im going to turn it over to a professional.

thanks so much for your guys help on the boards!!

[nikibee]

Create a DOS boot disk on another XP pc Boot your pc with it. (Of course, you need a floppy drive on your machine. I always have a floppy drive on all my machines) Copy all files from the system32 directory of the other machine into the system32 directory on yours, using a floppy disc. A down and dirty quick fix for a lot of problems.
Takes a while but it's almost always a success.

[mikelley85]

ok nikibee ill try that tonight ~!