Cannot log on XP

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G

Guest

I am running XP Home Edition. My pc seems to boot okay and I get to the
WELCOME screen. I have two accounts setup, one password protected and one
GUEST. After entering the correct password (or not entering when selecting
GUEST), I get a "loading preferences" message (which is normal and good).
After about 2 seconds it changes to "logging off" and I am left back at the
WELCOME screen. At this point my only option is to SHUT DOWN. I tried
booting in SAFE MODE, but same thing happens when try to logon as
ADMINSTRATOR. Any way to get around the WELCOME screen to see what is wrong?
File corrupted?
Any help greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Bobby,

Did you run a spyware removal program lately? The userinit value may have
been corrupted by the removal of blazefind. It adds wsaupdater.exe to the
logon value in the system registry, sometimes appending it, sometimes
replacing it. Running Adaware or other cleaners detects and removes
wsaupdater.exe, but doesn't correct the registry damage. If this is the
case, then you may need to load the registry hive from another installation
and change it. This is the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Userinit string value should be:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

On the damaged installations it's one of these:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,

Another "quickie" method of resolution is to load the Recovery Console (see
below), copy userinit.exe as wsaupdater.exe from the command prompt, then
restart normally. Once in, go and change the registry value back to what
it's supposed to be and delete the copied file.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

This can also be done by using the 6 disk boot floppy set mentioned in the
above article, as it loads enough of the Recovery Console so that you can
copy the file. This is particularly useful if you have an OEM installation
that includes only a Restore CD, or no disk at all.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Thanks Rick. Yes, I had just run Adaware the day before. This looks like my
problem, will purse your fixes. Thanks again.
 
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