My Documents folder opens on Windows Startup

For some unknown reasons my personal settings have changed and MY DOCUMENTS opens on startup. I know there is a command that you can close applications but have forgot it. Help?

 

press the keyboard <ctrl> <alt> an <delete> keys once ( once only)
the task manager should pop up
On the left is applications
You can shut down applications easily through this manner

 

Now What?

PeteC:
I went to line 255 and did what you said. Now my computer won't even load.
It comes on and says loading personal settings, flashes on and then says logging off. I'm sending this on back up compter. Help!

 

Try booting using the last known good configuration. To do this, boot the computer and while it's booting, tap the F8 key continuously. It should eventually stop at a menu where you can choose "last known good configuration ".

If that doesn't do it, can you boot to safe mode (in the same menu as the last known thing)?

 

Hi Joe645,

Just curious but is your windows\system32 folder located on c: drive. Kellys patch assumes and uses the path c:\windows\system32 as the location of the userinit.exe. May be a problem if windowsXP is loaded on a drive using a letter [partition or second harddrive] other than c:\ which may be the case, such as myself, who has had dualboot setup with xp on a d:\.

The fix is a standard used and suggested routinely...see:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=xp+startup+"my+documents"+userinit.exe

But microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555206 also suggests:

While user profile corruption is suspect, Virus\malware\adware should be checked for and eliminated as a possibility, also. Sure would be interesting to know what your registry is using for the hkey value mentioned. May be clue found there.

 

I appreciate your trying to help me but unfortunately your suggestions haven't helped. I tried to boot to last know working configuration - it goes into the same mode of "saving personal settings" - "logging off ". When I boot in Safe Mode, it does the same thing. I know I need to get into my Registery and remove that tweek given me and start over. How can I do this, or do I have a $3,000 door stop?

 

You need to do a System restore. Normally this is done in Normal or Safe mode.

There are a couple of ways to do this:

1. if you can boot safe mode with command prompt then type the following and hit enter.

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

if the above is not available then try 2 below

2. follow the directions from this link to restore from Repair Console.

http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid68_gci1167895,00.html

if that don't work then the below should, and will give you the option to do disk cleanup etc and will be a good recovery resource for some time. Additionally it will allow you to backup data in case this can not be fixed.

3. go to http://ubcd4win.com/ Download the Ultimate Boot CD for windows. Download ver 3.04. Do not confuse ver 4 which is the DOS version. Get 3.04.

There are very good instructions for building this boot cd on the site. You will need you XP disk.

The process will create an ISO file that must be burnt to a CD to work. You cannot just copy it.

It will do it all for you but if you need an ISO burner get http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Once built the computer should boot from this disk. Remember it is booting from the CD not the HD.

Once booted go to Start-Programs-Registry Tools-Registry Restore Wizard to execute a Restore.

For Cleanup:
On the Desktop run EzPcFix click Load hives then Click "Delete Temp Files ". Then click Delete. Do not check any other boxes. Then go to second item down Registry keys. This is your Startups, delete any you do not recognize. Remember these are startups and removing them will only prevent them fro running automatically when you boot. I will not un-install or delete the program.

Lastly go to Programs FileManagers Xplorers A43. Click c:\ Delete PageFile.sys and hibefil.sys if it exists.

Reboot remove CD.
Time spent on this is well worth it for future problems and I reccoment you do it even if one of the other proceedures above fixes your proble.


4. A final option is a Repair install. I would do it last as it may fix windows but still not fix your problem as Windows may interpret it as something you want to do


Bob

 

Thank you, I went ahead and purchased this CD. Now I hope they send it right away. I had other CD Cure, like RegEdit, etc. but the problem is I can't boot up.
When I use my XP disk, repair doesn't help either and I don't want to reload XP. Like I said, can't boot in Normal or Safe Mode with or without prompt etc. In fact I had tried all the listed methods of getting windows to boot. Just continues to say 'saving settings' then 'logging off' cycles this way continuely.

 

Joe

Clarify?

When you followed the steps for restoring from Repair console. Did you get to repair console? And what happened if so?

I hope you did not have System restore turned off before this happened!

It will take days to get the CD and if I am not mistaken you will still have to build the Boot CD as you will need to use "YOUR XP install disk" to avoid copyright infringement. All I think you will get on the CD is the download that you can do online?

I don't think you will get a ready to go Bootable CD.

Do you not have a CD writer in the computer you are using now?

What version is your OS, XP Pro or Home?

XP Home boots to the administrator account with no password automatically. But if XP Pro you should try logging into any other Profile except your own as it may be the only one messed up.

When you get the Boot CD built it will boot into its own Admin accnt.

Fill us in!

Bob

 

Hi Bob: First, I would be happy to call you via landline to assist me because of the lag time in this mode. Anyway, I booted to my XP Disk and the Repair Console going through each step outlined in your previous mail until I got to the part of renaming the software and system files. The commands wouldn't work. Kept telling me the parameters were not correct and seek HELP which does nothing. I don't know if my System Restore is off or on???? I have a CD Burner on this computer, XP Home and like I said, I can't boot to anything but loading personal settings and logging off screens.

 

A Little Patience

Hello bbbobins;

Went back through all you suggested, got the UBCD disk loaded went through the procedure and got back up and running. Also loaded some real good spyware and adware programs. Spybot, Adaware, and a couple of cleandisk programs. I think I can take care of anything that creeps up, although the original problem with my Desktop opening upon startup is still there. Thanks again for your help.
Joe

 

Hi Joe

Great! Since you just installed Spybot and Adaware for the first time, what was the results did they find and clean much. Did they improve boot/shutdown times and restore some speed?

Let us get an extra registry back utility so we have an alternative to System Restore
ERUNT http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
left panel I suggest server 3

Install it, and let it add itself to startup, and create a registry backup now.

As for My documents:
Download & install HijackThis http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/HJTsetup.exe

Answer yes to accept default install location choose Create a desktop icon.

Start HiJackThis

Click the top button "Do system scan and save log file "

use copy/paste to post this log to us.

Bob

 

Doing Great

Yes, everything seems to be running much faster. Spyware and Adware programs found quite a bit of "**** ". It's amazing how this stuff got on there in the first place. I'll keep in touch. Thank you for all your help.

 

Hi Joe

Did you do the 2 downloads above?

Install the erunt.

Then the HiJackThis and post the results. I need to see the userinit status. This will help cure the My Documents folder opening problem.

Bob