Cannot get past Welcome screen to desktop

My PC is normally set to no login and boots to the desktop. For the last few days, it would attempt to boot to the desktop, but the shortcuts and icons would not display and I would be forced to hard reboot. Usually after the 2nd reboot it would come up and operate fine. As of today, I get the Windows "Welcome" screen and there is an icon with my username. When I click the user name to login, it give a message "loading personal settings ", then "logging off... ", then "saving your personal settings ". I can't get to the desktop. I read thru some of posts and most seem to point to the wsaupdater.exe, I have looked in the windows and system32 directories and no such file exists.

I tried holding the shift-key and clicking on the user name, but it did not seem to do anything. Still can't get to desktop. I also tried repairing the XP Pro install. Still not working. As you know it keeps the usser account settings and when I get back to the Welcome screen and click on the user, sam thing happends. I can boot to SAFE mode though. Any other suggestions? Delete user account? Complete Windows install?

 

can't get past

can you power on and "F-8" safemode. last known good config. also keeps a record. if you get welcome screen can you ctrl-alt-del and see what is running. the flag button shows the start menu, and the up-down arrows might work. if so when it gets on inet you could hit enter and see if it would net. or go to run enter and see if you could type command. just thoughts w/out research. machines differ. try power on F-1 load defaults, some are delete- some F-10 - for default option section.

 

Hello fahertyps,

If the suggestion by Dytrog on Last good config doesn't work, then try accessing SR from a command prompt:

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449&sd=tech


An MS KB on Wsaupdater.exe:
You cannot log on to Windows XP after you remove Wsaupdater.exe
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892893

Regards - Charles

 

Still stuck at welcome screen

OK, tried the recommendations. Can't use CTRL+ALT+DEL from that screen. Just brings up the normal looking LogOn to Windows box (like a work PC on a network). Can't get to the Windows Flag-key does not do anything. Tried booting with function keys, but none worked to see or control what was loading. Also tried the other MS support ideas. No sign of the Malware. I don't think I had it. Still can't get past the Welcome screen. looks like it wants to log me in, then show logging out and back to Welcome.

Not sure why it is even prompting me for a login. Since I dont have a password on this home account, it usually bypasses and goes straight to the desktop.

 

stuck in welcome

I got 1 pc somone wanted me to work on it wanted a password. i finally figured out the password was just to push enter. i still can't figure out how you can set the enter button as a password ? just a what happened to me, not a help.

 

Simple. If a password wasn't created during the install of Windows, enter is all that's necessary. Leave the password blank and press enter. That's essentially what you're doing.

 

i got the start screen but a box popped up asking for a password. i couldn't just hit start. i i finally went in and disabled security passwords.

 

Still does not help my issue. Its not a p-word issue. I cant get past the Welcome screen. OS attempts to log me in and then goes back to Welcome.

thanks for any suggestions.

 

i told you it was just a story. i'm looking on ie for your problem.

 

I know. Thanks. Thought we were getting off on a tangent

Do you know anything about http://www.experts-exchange.com? They say they have the answer, but its $13/mo to join. I don't mind paying if they truly have the answer...

 

looking in microsoft knowledge base now.

 

who made your machine?

 

Its a Dell Dimensions 8100. Everything I can find keeps pointing back to hte wsaupdater, but I just scrubbed the registry and no trace of it. Thanks for trying to help.

See below:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cach...welcome+screen+login&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

 

it's your $. it was my wifes dell inspiron laptop i had trouble with. started out blue screen then one thing after another. works great now.

 

I just tried creating another user with Admin rights, no luck. Same issue, flashes login then logging off. I guess I'll try a clean Win XP Pro install.

 

will it download can you click install

 

Before doing anything drastic, try this all thanks due to Kelly Theriot.

 

Good Luck!!!