Windows XP will not log-in

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AJgravity

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Hello,

Last night the SP3 update was done, when I logged off it was going to finish the updates. This morning, I log in and the background shows up, then it logs off. I can't do anything. I try to go into safe mode and the same thing. I don't know what to do and don't want to lose all my data.

The previous couple days AVG had been giving me a warning about a Trojan in a Windows file, might have been "userinit.exe". I ran Spybot Search and Destroy and Malabytes to clean things up, prior to the SP3 update.

I'm sort-of computer literate, have access to this computer in my home and can walk over to the other computer to check something, if I knew how. Help will be greatly appreciated.

AJ
 
I'm sort-of computer literate
I think you mean computer illiterate

Anyway, so you had reported Trojans by AVG Antivirus, and then updated to SP3 :suspiciou
Obviously not a good idea, as you now have found out.

I wouldn't even recommend uninstalling SP3 if (and you likely do) have Trojans on your system
You could try to go to Safe Mode, by pressing the F8 key before Windows starts up, and then see if you can get in or not, to backup any data that you may have installed :confused:

Or you could just go for a fresh install of Windows, and remove everything.
Post back if you need further assistance with that, and if you have a "Restore" disc, or a standard Windows Setup Disc
 
I certainly hope that you are not correct kimsland. My wording was correct, I am sort-of computer literate. I understand the basics and use computer for both business and personnal uses. However, when it comes to something technical, like a potential threat, recovering data from an infected computer or removing threats, I'm illiterate.

Anyone else have any thoughts?
 
Try Booting into Safe Mode http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222. If you are successful in doing this proceed to system restore http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx. Attempt to restore your system to a pre-Sp3 state then follow the 8 - Steps found here; https://www.techspot.com/community/topics/updated-4-step-viruses-spyware-malware-removal-preliminary-instructions.58138/

The second Option as Kimsland mentioned is a fresh install which has a greater guarantee of a success, but maybe a bit more tedious.
 
Thanks tw0rld,

I mentioned Safe Mode already (although without the link)

But I don't recommend System Restore under possible infection
It would be best for the user to try and backup first, as I stated :)
 
I stated I could not get in in Safe Mode. If that is required to back-up, I'm screwed. I will read the other links to see what they say. I might not know how to back-up at this point. Also, will I lose my personnal information if I do the repair install?
 
I can go into safe mode and the same thing.
Sorry I read that incorrectly

You can't go into Safe Mode :rolleyes:

You do not lose any data under Repair install (although with Trojans who knows)

Here are the steps for Repair Install in XP:

Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Repair Install step by step
http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm
 
I do stand corrected. Now I just need to find the XP Home CD. Can I install XP Professional, or will I lose all my data and it reformat my drive?
 
Actually you can Repair with another version of Windows
Doing so will obviously make your Windows version "Pro" instead of "Home" version (without losing data)

But obviously your Product Key for XP Home, will not work with XP Pro ;)

Also instead of using AVG Antivirus, try free Avira (that's what I use)
 
hi

As u are able to boot the compurter in regular mode and there are no icons- Restart the computer in regular mode- Press Ctrl + Alt+ Del and u will have the task Manager window- Click on new task and type explorer.exe and check what u get
 
Sorry I read that incorrectly

You can't go into Safe Mode :rolleyes:

You do not lose any data under Repair install (although with Trojans who knows)

Here are the steps for Repair Install in XP:


The repair from the CD did not go as the link showed. I'm really getting worried now. How hard is it to take the hard drive out a put it in this computer? Any link for that, we really don't want to lose our data.
 
Regarding the Repair
I'm thinking that the 2nd "R" prompt did not show up for you
It can be fixed as well, but this becomes very involved, working from the Recovery Console

Your idea of mounting the Hard Drive into another Desktop computer is excellent (that's what I do)
It's very easy to do. Just remove both data and power cables, unscrew it, pull it out
Then plug it in the other computer, I usually place it in place of the CD/DVD Drive.

By the way, you can also use a Boot CD, like the free "Live Ubuntu CD" or something, to avoid removing the Hard Drive. But the "slave" or "secondary" drive in another computer is lots easier

Make sure the "other computer" has an updated AntiVirus software that has real time protection enabled though ;)
 
This is where I am illiterate. I'm not certain which is the hard drive. I checked out the Boot CD idea, however, I don't have a very large jump drive.

Actually you can Repair with another version of Windows
Doing so will obviously make your Windows version "Pro" instead of "Home" version (without losing data)

But obviously your Product Key for XP Home, will not work with XP Pro ;)

Also instead of using AVG Antivirus, try free Avira (that's what I use)

Ok, apparently my problem won't let me repair with either versions. I have the numbers, but for some reason, things keep getting diverted to the "welcome" screen

I removed the hard drive and connected it to this computer. Can I repair it?
 
You can scan it for Viruses and Malware (I prefer free Avira and Malwarebytes)

Once all Virus and Malwares are removed, you can then backup all your User data

From there, I would suggest returning the Hard Drive to the original computer
And then doing a clean install ;)

Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition)
http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm

Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition)
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm

* Warning deleting the Partition will remove all User data and Windows system files
 
How do I do the back-up with it connected? I'm downloading Avira and will probabaly use it over AVG now. I will scan the "I" drive with Avira and Malawarebytes. It sounds like I will be "nuking" my old system. If that's the case, how do I save all my driver information?

Thank you.
 
All your Drivers can be found at your Manufacture support page, or HERE

If you are uninstalling your AVG Antivirus you will need to run the removal tool
Here is the 32Bit version (most users): http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arm_sup_____.dir/avgremover.exe
Here is the 64Bit version: http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/avg_arv_sup_____.dir/avgremoverx64.exe

Then Restart

Note: you can still run the uninstall tool when Avira is installed (in case you have installed Avira already ;))

Yes we are going for clean install, but it's your choice.
 
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