Windows XP Startup Logoff Loop

[BaseballNut]

My machine just took on a new Windows XP update and now I have a startup situation. I get to the logon screen and the process starts and it immediately goes into logging off. The same result happens when I try safe mode. I tried to run windows repair using the windows startup disc and when i try to run the repair i get an immediate message that there is no hard drive installed. There obviously is one installed or the windows startup wouldn't initiate at all. I have looked around at the forum and nothing seems to work. Anyone have any ideas out there? Thanks.

[newtech]

can you boot into safe mode...if so...
Windows XP is set by default to reboot your computer when it hits a critical error. For most users I suppose this is a good thing, as no one likes to see the BSOD. But in this case, we actually WANT to see the BSOD because it contains some useful information in diagnosing the problem. In order to force your computer to show you the BSOD, need to tell it to stop auto restarting on critical errors.

Right-click...My Computer... and then click ...Properties...
Click the ..Advanced tab... Under Startup and Recovery.. click ..Settings...
to open the Startup and Recovery dialog box....
Clear the ..Automatically restart.. check box, and click OK the necessary number of times...

Restart your computer for the settings to take effect....

[Clark]

I suggest some of your Windows File might have got Corrupted, I would suggest you to reinstall your Window might fix this issue.

[Rudra.J]

Hey!
According to what you have detailed, your windows XP is either infected by virus or is not activated with microsoft...! That means you have a pirated copy... Well try to re-install windows or try a system restore first...!

This happened to me also
after installing some updates
i think some corrupted files are installed due to which the drivers are lost and its mainly because your system is likely to be infected with virus

[Vipersfate]

I just found a fix for this today. It involved booting a registry editor off a disk, and loading your registry into it and making a reg edit.

Locate: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

and find the key "Userinit" and edit that key
enter in
C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe

That fixed 2 computers at my work today. Link to 2 sites for more information

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ - For offline registry editor
http://moniroth.wordpress.com/2009/0...f-after-logon/ - Fix with picture!