So I cleaned a PC and ran into a problem. The Windows splash screen would appear and then the login prompt would load. As soon as I logged in, I got IMMEDIATELY logged back out again. I tried recovery console. I tried safe mode. This problem is documented on Microsoft’s website here.
Here is are 2 solutions to the logon/logoff issue in Windows XP.
Use the Recovery Console
- Boot the system using the Windows XP CD-ROM.
- In the first screen when the Setup begins, read the instructions press “R” (in the first screen) enter the Recovery Console.
- Type-in you Administrators password to enter the Console.
- You’ll see the prompt reading C:\Windows (Or any other drive-letter where you’ve installed XP)
- Type the following command and press Enter.
- CD SYSTEM32 (If that does not work, try CHDIR SYSTEM32)
- COPY USERINIT.EXE WSAUPDATER.EXE
- Quit Recovery Console by typing EXIT and restart Windows
You should be able to login successfully as you’ve created the wsaupdater.exe file (now, a copy of userinit.exe)
That didn’t work for me soo here’s my solution
- slap the HDD into an enclosure or use an iDE/SATA-to_USB connector
- Copy the file into the correct directory.
- Reinstall it in the old PC
- GRAVY TIME!
Popularity: 9% [?]
I had this with a client yesterday. I booted to recovery console, and ran this:
c:\expand [cdromdrive]:\i386\userinit.ex_ c:\windows\system32
Worked like a champ!
yep, I was dealing with that PE_VIRUT virus which’d eaten a number system files. I like your way better than mine. it’s prolly work with all the files this nasty little bug ate to death!
thanks for the suggestion.