Need help, weird virus, can't figure it out

Brainsturbator · Mar 21, 2009

Well, I got this weird virus(I'm assuming) a while ago, and I'm too broke to pay, so I'm hoping someone can help me out.

So I'm on a Dell XPS with Windows XP Home Edition, I have none of the original CD's that came with it... Basicaly the problem is I can't login to even fix anything. I start my computer, everything is fine up to log in screen. I type in my passwords, it logs in, flashes the background screen, then immedietly logs back off... I'm willing to reinstall my OS, but I don't know how to without the discs. I'm on my other computer right now and I have CDR's and DVD-R's if I need to download anything or something. Help would be very appreciated.

Thanks

chaslang · Mar 24, 2009

Welcome to Major Geeks!

I moved this to the Software Forum for you to continue to get help. Unless your PC is bootable, there is nothing we can do for you in the Malware Forum.

You are more than likely having an issue related to the c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe file being either corrupted or missing. Or the registry keys related to loading this file have been corrupted. You are going to need a Windows Boot CD to fix this or you are going to have to take out your hard disk and but it into another PC as a slave drive and replace the userinit.exe file with a valid copy from another Windows XP system.

If you find that you userinit.exe file is not missing, there is still a chance that it is corrupted and needs to be replaced. If that does not help, you will have to try fixing the registry per the below which need your Windows XP CD.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545&sd=tech

You will have to borrow one or buy one. Probably you should buy one since you may need it again in the future and you wil definitely need one if you have to reinstall.

Bugballou · Mar 24, 2009

Tried logging in in safe mode (tap F8 key while computer is booting and choose safe mode). XP Home also has a hidden Administrator account that only runs in safe mode. If you get in add a new account. A decent Linux live cd will mount the c drive so you can take a gander. Hopfully your optical drive is set to boot first, if not you can make it so in the systems BIOS.

Log in or Sign up

Need help, weird virus, can't figure it out

Brainsturbator Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

Bugballou MajorGeek