XP log on issue, please help! :o(

[Guest_imported]

Hey guys, sorry to have to bother but I'm having issues with XP log on. I use XP home on a non-networked computer and therefore don't actually usually have the log-on screen at all. Recently however XP decided that it would like to show me the log-in screen - in fact it liked to show this to me so much that it refuses to log me in and every time I try it simply instantaneously logs me out. Does anyone else have any idea of how to sort this out? I've tied creating new accounts in safe mode, and playing with the XP services. Help!

Here are all the facts that could be of significance:
1. When I log on in normal mode, XP logs me out automatically.
2. It logs in perfectly in Safe Mode, although it gives me the same problem (i.e. automatic log out) in Safe Mode with Networking.
3. I am not actually on a network.
4. All accounts/guest accounts that I have tried to create as a solution have the same problem.

Really appreciate your help.
-Ben

 

[yahoo]

have you tried changin the logon from "fast user switching and welcome screen" to the regular win2k style (buy unchecking the boxes for "display welcome screen" in control panel > users

 

[linney]

Type....control userpasswords2......in the run box. In the resulting window look at the options under users for not entering any password (if this is what you want).

 

[TheGoodRev]

What do you mean by automatically logging you out? Are you positive youre actually being logged in at all?

Generally if you dont have a blank password, Win XP logs you in, without bothering you with the log-in screen. I think you probably knew that, but just making sure.

 

[grez]

Hi to all!

I am having the SAME EXACT LOG IN PROBLEM as this original post. The original post by "Bouchehog" is correct. I have a machine running xp home and all of a sudden, instead of the normal log on screen, it came up with the "old style" (like 98) log in screen with a small box, you type your name, password, it starts to log you on, BUT then immediately logs you off. I have tried everything from:
*recovery console (check disk, fixboot)
*ran NAV 2003 from the boot, no virus
*CANNOT log into safe mode (does the same thing)
*ran recovery console from installation and it reinstalled the op system, and it still does it.

Basically, your locked out of the computer with the exception of recovery console. I did read about changing the "fast user switching" screen, however, there is no way to get in.

Just some info here. Trying to still do some research. If anyone has a fix to at least log in to safe mode, please advise. Thanks!

 

[prak355]

Hi, I see you had this problem last year and was wondering if you had solved it. I badly need to get into this XP Pro machine and it won't let me in anyway, tried everything. Really need to get in so I can retrieve the EFS key as all files are encrypted.

Many Thanks,
Prak.

 

[grez]

Hey prak355!

Only way was to reformat and reinstall. All other possibilities failed. No safe mode, nothing out of recovery console. If you need to extract your data, just install the hard drive in question on another computer as a slave and extract, that's the only way you'll be able to retreive from this mess. Good luck!

grez

 

[linney]

You could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[grez]

Hi! Tried that one too, twice to be sure. Hopefully this may work for him. Thanks for the link!

Prak355...please let me know how you make out and what worked. If there is a way around it (for future use), I'd like to know. Thanks!

grez

 

[prak355]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've already tried the "in-place" upgrade, didn't do jack. Did think it might be an activation problem so I removed activation files, rebooted and logged it....got real excited for a second as I saw a new window that prompted me to activate. Once the activation was complete, it just logged me out and I was back to square 1!!

I can't afford to just format/reload the laptop because it's for a super-paranoid client who's encrpyted years of his data on there without exporting the key! Doesn't help that I don't have the local admin password either....

Have devised a new plan of attack now which involves resetting the password with Linux, then manually restoring registry files from the System Restore backups...any help greatly appreciated. Will let you know how it goes...

Thanks for your time people.
Prak.

 

[Freestone]

This link sounds almost like what you're experiencing:

http://www.exodus-dev.com/techtips/windows_xp_pro_login_problems.htm

 

[prak355]

Thanks Freestone, only problem is, if this is the cause, I can't login with any account be it Local or Domain Admin to make the necessary changes!

Does anyone know how/if this is possible???

I'm tearing out what hair I have left now!!

Thanks again,
Prak.

 

[idiotboy1978]

I ran into the same issue with this problem, and was totally amazed on how thorough this error was.. I was completely locked out of my machine. There was very important data on it, and it was a laptop! Could I be more screwed?? Good thing I'm creative!

This is how you fix this problem.

Pop in the XP CD.. Go through like you're going to install a new OS (don't repair). When it asks you to repair, don't! Then when it asks you to format or leave the hard drive intact, leave it intact! (DO NOT FORMAT). It will ask you if you would like to install to a different directory. Tell it yes, and specify a directory that is not windows' (I used winben). Let it do it's complete install and once you're done you will have two OSes to choose from.. Pick the first one (which is your new install) and it will let you in just fine. Then back up all the data you want off that drive and completely format it and re-install the OS. There is no way of fixing this error, but this will get your data off safe and sound. I hope this helps out someone!! If you'd like to thank me, please do... Thanks so much! Good luck!

BTW.. If I were you, once you get it all done, just use a network and copy off all your files.. using floppies is a long process