Can't log on to my computer - Please Help - Tok's thread

Hi,
When I turn on my computer it loads the welcome screen and I click the user symbol to log on. It says 'Loading Personal Settings' as usual. Unfortunately, once the settings have loaded it immediately says 'Saving Settings' and automatically logs off and back onto the Welcome screen. It doesn't allow me to see the desktop so I cannot change any files.

I tried opening windows in Safe Mode, but I can't log on, so I can't use System Restore. I've also tried enabling boot logging and VGA mode. Basically I've pressed F8 and tried EVERY option available to me. Restarting doesn't work and I still get automatically logged out when I sign in.

I can't send this to microsoft support (at this time anyway) because I can't access the Product ID through the computer, because I can't log on to the computer!!

Please help me as I can't access anything, and re-installing Windows is an unacceptable option in my opinion.

 

You need to log in under Safe Mode to uncheck the "auto restart" in the System dialog of the Control Panel (under start up and recovery options). Unplug everything from that computer you don't "need "- scanner, printer, camera etc and try Safe Mode again. If that doesn't work, post back with whether you run XP Home or Pro.

Johanna

 

Power up your computer, and after the self test beep tap the F8 key to invoke the Windows Advanced option menu.
Choose Last known Good Configuration and hit enter.
Windows should now start.

Post back if it doesn't work.

 

Diff comps take diff keys to get to that menu. If it's not displayed during POST, try F5, F8 or delete. I would go for safe mode, because you need to get the comp to quit restarting, and last known config probably has the same (driver?) error.

Johanna

 

Your computer is caught in the "endless boot loop." It's almost always caused by a damaged registry.

Your best bet is to boot from the Windows CDROM or boot disks. Setup will copy files to your hard drive and you will then be presented with an option to press "R" to repair the installation using the recovery console or install Windows. Select the option to install Windows. When you get to the license agreement, click "agree ". You will then find yourself at a screen that has another repair option if you press "R ". Do this.

Windows will then delete some files, copy some files and then reboot. When the system reboots, make sure that you do not boot from the boot disks or CDROM. Windows will then load what appears to be the GUI portion of setup. This is where I nearly had a heart attack the first time I did this. DO NOT WORRY - Windows is installing over your previous installation, not replacing it despite what it looks like. You will even have to enter the CD Key again.

Once you finish the repair process, it will reboot again and your system should come up normally. If so, you may need to activate Windows again and make sure that you reapply any service packs or security updates.

 

OK, I've tried Last Known Configuration and that didn't work. I don't have any setup/boot discs because XP was pre-installed on the computer. I've got some product recovery CD, so I'll try that.

Thanks for the help

 

Fauxqui, I've found the CD to boot from and it's possible to boot from a CD by going into 'Setup' before Windows starts loading. I have to press Delete to enter Setup.

I've made a Part 2 to this problem as it's a new completely unrelated to logging on question

Part 2

 

This is the original "can't log on to my computer" thread that I have just split into 3 parts; one for each person posting there with a problem. Tok - please update this with the current status as things have gotten more than a little confused. If this is still an open issue for you, bring us up to date.