Login - Logout

I see that several others are having this same problem. I have a Dell Inspiron 8500 laptop, running Win XP Pro SP3. I use this primarily for my DJ business, playing MP3 files from it at various venues. OK, yell at me now, but I don't have a backup of those MP3 files on the HDD. I know, I should. If I ever get out of this problem, I will backup, I promise! Anyway, I appear to be stuck in a loop, login/logout. I have tried the recent fixes that have been posted in this forum, but am still in the loop. For obvious reasons (ie: losing all of my music), I don't want to do a complete reinstall from the CD's (I do have the Win XP OS CD from Dell from when I purchased the machine, along with the driver discs and applications.)
I did copy over the wpaupdater.exe file from the CD in the Recovery mode, and re-booted - no success. By the way, I am getting user login accounts (Administrator, and Howard), but the computer was not setup that way prior to this problem. It was setup to just go into Windows XP, bring up my icons and applications oin the Desktop: I could select and go.
I have contacted Microsoft, they were unable to help. I contacted Dell, who referred me to Best Buy (!). I have not yet gone there, and am trying to fix this myself. Any ideas, other than what has already been presented? Thanks for your help...

Howard

 

Are you able to see your desktop at all?

 

Hmm, yes, there was another DJ here for a coupla days with a problem - you guys getting infected from some XSS attack from a common website or something?

Anyway, I'd like you to try

that should be accessible by tapping F5 or F8 as the laptop boots up.

If you do get in successfully, don't restart, we'll need to go through the logs etc., you'll need to pull your data

 

Do you visit sites hosted in China in search of new music, perhaps?

from Sophos http://www.sophos.com/blogs/sophoslabs/v/post/5320
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6733
Read http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/972890.mspx

Just surf with Firefox and the NoScript addon, you know it makes sense

 

I worked on a few machines that had similar issues and their main concern was conserving their data and of course, they had no backups. However, having the XP OS CD is a good thing Because you probably have a corrupt file.

Now, this is just based on what you have said and more trials and information would be needed. But I'm just telling you what I did. before I go on I need to explain the type of CD we are talking about here... I'm talking about the operating system alone, not an OEM. I don't know if Dell's recovery disk will permit you to install the operating system over the current one or it just restores the whole system back to original. You may want to check with Dell on this.

You can use the XP CD to reinstall the operating system without corrupting data as long as you do not reformat. I've done this on a number of occasions although it is a lng process because you need to get back up to speed on the service packs.

Just my 2cent.

 

It must be your lucky day. Here's THE fix for your Logon/Logoff Loop:

http://thinkinginpixels.com/quick-fixes/fix-windows-xp-log-onlog-off-loop/

 

Dear ITTomas,
No, can't get to the desktop at all.
Thanks for responding!
H

 

Dear Satrow,

Thanks, I will try this. Had tried to use "Last Known Good", but only x2-3 at a time, then gave up. Will try the 10x in a row, and let you know...
Thanks for the response!
H

 

Dear Satrow -

Usually don't visit sites in China for music, but I'm sure I've been to sites in China for other things (eBay, etc.).
Thanks for the response!
H

 

Dear FloatingPoint -
This is an OEM disc from Dell. Came with the computer. Apparently, resets everything to factory spec. I'm just concerned about wiping out data.

Thanks for the response...
H

 

Dear AustrAlien,

Thanks for the site. I will try this later tonight, and let you know. Just got home from work (long day), and need to decompress first, so I don't goof anything up.

Thanks for the response!
H

 

OK ... and chin UP! She'll be apples! I look forward to learning of your success. I know it all seems too easy to believe ... but it actually works!
Good luck.

 

Dear AustrAlien,

APPLES IT IS! SHE WORKS GREAT!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me with this problem. Your solution was PERFECT! My only regret was that you asked me to save the log at the end, and for some reason, I was unable to do that. But, everything works well - thanks to you!!

Donation on the way...

H

 

purecountrydj

Many thanks for posting with such exuberance, the news of your success. That makes me one happy chappy too!

Not to worry about "the log": It's not necessary now. It wasn't me that asked for the log ... btw.

Backup your data to a safe location remote from your computer, use Firefox for browsing the net, and take care.

Best of luck for the future, and enjoy your APPLES.