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okacs

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Windows Xp logs out immediately after login

I have fresh a Windows XP install on an HP desktop.  (recovery from prior virus infection).  The install was working just fine, but suddenly I cant login anymore.  The user select screen appears, I can enter the password and it says "applying your settings" and briefly displays the wallpaper, but then goes immediately to "saving your settings" and logs out and goes back to the user login screen.  This happens for all 3 user accounts - including the administrator account.

The same thing happens when trying to boot into safe mode, safe mode with networking, and last known good configuration.  Booting into Safe Mode with Command line just hangs the system.  I tried using the Windows XP install disk to recover, and it copied all the files over my installation, but when i try and login, the problem persists.  I booted up with a copy of BartPE and can browse the file system.  There is nothing in the startup folder for any of the user accounts, nor in the "all users".

I just restored the data to this drive and I don't have a backup (I had to re-use the USB drive that the data was on to recover another PC).  While I probably COULD back the data up from BartPE and wipe the drive AGAIN, I really don't want to have to do that.

Is there a way to fix this?  Is the problem in the windows subsystem or in the profiles?  Anyone have a quick fix for this?

Thanks.


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OrionsX

Sounds like a corrupt OS. Have you tried running the Windows repair from the installation disk? That is the second repair option that comes up along with the full install option. I say try that it may save you from having to do a full install.
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LeeTutor
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ASKER

OrionsX - Yes, I already tried the Windows install Cd recovery.

LeeTutor - Wouldn't running "recovery" from the install CD replace the files that you are talking about?

Thanks.
Quite possibly, but there are also the registry entries to be concerned with.  This particular solution has worked many, many times in the E-E database of Previously Answered Questions.
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ASKER

LT - that worked.  Thanks!

Unfortunately, now I cant install anything on the system.  Example:  My Wireless NIC driver says it must be uninstalled before reinstalling, but I cant uninstall it because the files are gone.  Catch 22.  Sheesh....

What happened to the driver files?  Were they destroyed by the malware that caused this whole problem?
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ASKER

Yup.  pretty much EVERY .EXE file was infected and incurable and thus removed.  :)
Sounds like the only option is a clean install...   ;0(

At least the logon-logoff loop was solved.
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ASKER

Well, there's at least one EXE that survived.... The Virus!  Lol.  Damned fake Anti-Virus app is reinfecting everything again.  Prolly gonna have to wipe and reinstall anyway.  :(
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ASKER

Accepting solution to original problem.  Thanks!
I experienced a similar issue as originally described, that required a different fix, I'll document it here for others, in case the above doesn't work for you.  I didn't have the same malware, and didn't lose all the programs.

At first it was just white cursor on black screen.  I discovered some files in the windows folder were inaccessible due to security settings. I added everyone-full access.

Then it was logging in and immediately logging out, so I just opened security across the whole drive, then I could log in.  

It was probably a result of malware, though a failed Norton install, a botched Acronis OSS access via USB, and an ancient copy of Roxio GoBack 3 all happened too.

I used an old copy of ERD Commander 2005 to reset all the permissions in one swell foop,
(it cried about non-existent tokens, probably from the domain the system had been removed from years ago ).

I've not yet repaired the file permissions, but I expect Microsoft's KB 313222 will do well enough since it's now a solo home system.