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Another XP logs on then back off problem


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#1
TenitaB

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Hello Everyone!

I am working on an acer laptop (XP) that was infested with viruses and spyware. I installed Norton AV 2006 and it found the virus Infostealer. I had to boot the pc in safemode in order to remove it completely. It was after that, I began to experience the Log on/log off dance and the windows logon screen- yes EVEN in safemode as the Admin.

I used ERD to boot the pc, however can't go back to a restore point because I turned them off prior to cleaning off the virus. I used the registry editor in ERD to check the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ and the value is already "C:\WINDOWS\System32\userinit.exe,"

All the documentation that I have found seem to suggest that checking the registry would be the panacea to my issue, however I am in need of a plan B. :whistling:

Any suggestions?

TIA,
Tenita

Edited by TenitaB, 11 July 2006 - 10:06 AM.

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#2
gerryf

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hard to say...damaged SAM? Perhaps

Using ERD, is the c:\windows\repair folder still there

Using ERD should greatly simplify this process

http://support.micro...om/?kbid=307545
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#3
TenitaB

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I am reading the knowledge base link you posted now, but I did use ERD and checked the WINDOWS\repair folder - it is there. I will update soon. thanks


-Tenita
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#4
TenitaB

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Part One -

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system The system could not find the specified file
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Other than that everything copied fine. Since I had deleted the file System, I moved the copy from the tmp folder back into the windows\system32\config folder so that the pc would boot. I now get this error:System error: Lsass.exe
When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is not correct.


If i undo everything and return files back to original location, pc boots to the log on/log off dance again.

What did I do wrong?

Thanks,
Tenita
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#5
gerryf

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i don't know what you are doing wrong...it is peculiar that the file is not there.

When you say you are using ERD. where did you get it from? Can you access

C:\System Volume Information

using this?
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#6
TenitaB

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Gerryf,

Just wanted to post a quick update. Working on that article you posted for me, I wasn't able to get much further than my previous post. I did a repair of the windows installation, lo and behold the same dang thing happens!! :whistling:

I will post back when I finally get to the bottom of this dilemna.

THx
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