XP SP2 Problem

My son's computer runnig XP Pro with SP2 installed seems to have reverted back to what looks like a Windows 2000 login screen from the normal XP login screen. He just returned from college for Christmas break and the second time he robooted the computer things changed for no apparent reason...also, in the list of programs in the "add/remove" programs section of the control panel all that is listed is XP SP2 with no date or other information or files listed....anyone know what might be the cause of this. thaks

 

Hmm...strange...only thing that comes to my mind is a problem during the SP2 update where either the update processes didn't go through or due to some other system conflict it corrupted the related executable.

Try this:

START > RUN > type control > OK


does that open the Control Panel and everything looks fine?

Do this and repost the results please...

 

When I do what was asked, I get a normal control panel display.

 

Go to 'control panel'--> 'user accounts'--> 'change the way users log on or off'. It sounds like 'use the welcome screen' option is disabled, which results in the 'classic' logon prompt.

Can't help you with the SP2 thing, no idea why it's the only thing showing in add/remove programs.

 

Did you notice weird folder names? under C:\Documents and Settings folder especially? If so then your system went through a serious problem with the user profile in question, possibly lost its settings/configuration...if not the the Control.exe file that resides in the c:\Windows\System32 got corrupted....you should be able to replace it with a good one from the XP CD, or try:
START > RUN > cmd /k sfc /scannow > OK (have XP CD in the CD Drive beforehand though).