Login Problem

I have this strange login problem that recently started after changing my hard drive for a larger one which I reloaded with a Norton Ghost Image. I also uninstalled Norton Internet Security and installed Kaspersky Internet Security but I don't this this is the cause of the problem.

The login problem occurs when I switch on the PC and leave it about five minutes before logging in (CTRL-ALT-DEL). I get the startup music and desktop background but no start menu, taskbar or any desktop icons. If I login without delay my login works fine.

I am using Windows XP Pro with SP2. Don't really want to install SP3 yet because I am in the middle of writing a device driver that depends on SP2 symbol files.

I created a new account and the same happens so it looks as though the problem is common to all accounts (although I have only tried two of them).

When the problem occurs I cannot CTRL-ALT-DEL to determine if explorer has started or not, in fact the keyboard is completely dead. CTRL-ESC does not work either but I am certain the taskbar has not been lost because when I do login successfully its there in the correct place and autohides as it should.

Kaspersky has not reported any problems and I have also run HouseCall by Trend Micro which reports no problems (apart from one or two cookies and some Windows updates that I have not yet applied).

Anyone seen this before or got any ideas?

Regards PCFarmer

 

Hi Steve,

The pre-login screen saver is as normal and I have not left the PC on long enough to see if the usual screen saver kicks in.

I have started the PC in safe mode, then exited and then started again in normal mode and the problem seems to have been resolved but I don't see why.

Any idea why this would solve the problem?

Regards PCFarmer