Computer stays at log in screen

I am running windows xp on a laptop. It recently had a virus and I went through the steps in removing infected files through a spy removal program. After deleting files and registries, I rebooted and it took a long time to get to the log in screen. Finally it did and I clicked on my name and put in my password. It then says "Loading Personal Settings", flashes to a screen, then returns back to the log in screen saying "Saving your settings….". Next, it asks for my password again and goes through this over and over. I tried loading in safe mode, safe mode with command prompt, and return to a time when the computer was stable. And everytime its the same result as before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi mjmon20

Hmm, bit confused here. You state the problem is with XP but you got windows98 as OS in your profile

By the sound of it, you may have damaged your Boot.Ini file. This is luckily easy repaired, if thats the problem
in the first place. You'll need your Windows CD for this, if you aint got one, borrow one of same version (Pro. or Home) from a friend or family.

Follow these steps in the order presented:

1. Insert Win-CD and reboot. (Remember to change boot-load order to DVD/CD-ROM in BIOS)
2. When you see the message "Press any key to boot from CD", press any key to force boot from CD.
3. Allow windows Setup sequence.
4. Press R to enter "Recovery Console"
5. Choose windows version / Installation
6. Enter Administrator password (if any)

You should now be in the black-screened Recovery Console mode.(Looks DOS-like)

Type: Bootcfg /Rebuild (Always space between last letter in command and the slash * / * )
A scan will initiate for any windows installations, and you will now be prompted.

1st. prompt asks "Add installation to Boot list", press "Y" for yes.
2nd. prompt asks to "Enter load identifier", type in the name of your OS, Windows XP Home Edition or
Windows XP Professional
3rd. prompt asks to "Enter OS load options", type: /Fastdetect (remember space before the slash) press enter

Take out your windows-CD and reboot.

If it was the boot-file gone corrupt or damaged, you should now be able to boot normally.
If there's any question's or you're unsure of something, please ask away. Additionally, you may want to print these instructions, so they are readily at hand to hinder any confusing in the middle of the process.

Regards Abydos

Thanks for the response. My personal computer is Windows 98 and my laptop has XP. My CD I have is for XP Professional Service Pack 1, and my laptop is running Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2. Will that matter if I try to boot from it? Thanks again.

Thanks for the response. My personal computer is Windows 98 and my laptop has XP. My CD I have is for XP Professional Service Pack 1, and my laptop is running Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2. Will that matter if I try to boot from it? Thanks again.

It shouldn't matter. Theres no (to my knowledge) boot-files from either SP 1 or 2 thats necessary for normal boot-up.
After the fix, and if successful, you can just try see if theres any updates, besides SP3.

Regards Abydos

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

In my BIOS settings, I have two headings for "Startup". One is Boot, and the other is Network. I set the DVD/CD-ROM on both of the settings to first, and it still won't load the CD. It automatically goes to Windows log in screen.

In my BIOS settings, I have two headings for "Startup". One is Boot, and the other is Network. I set the DVD/CD-ROM on both of the settings to first, and it still won't load the CD. It automatically goes to Windows log in screen.

Hi mjmmon

Hmm, the only one you should set, is the boot.
If you have more than one DVD/CD drive, be sure its the right one
you set to boot and which contain the disc.

If still nojoy. Load default settings for your BIOS, then make the change
of boot-order.

If thats a no go, I'm afraid I can't be of further assistance. You might want to
contact your dealer / manufacturer for further advice, unless someone jumps
in here with some more ideas / inputs.

Regards Abydos

Finally got the cd working. After I type in " /fastdetect", am I supposed to wait to take the CD out or do it right away because it won't eject. Thanks again.

Unforunately, the same thing happens after I did the repair. Is there anything else that could be wrong?

Unforunately, the same thing happens after I did the repair. Is there anything else that could be wrong?

Hi mjmon

Sorry for answering late. Have the topic on mail-notify, but I didn't get any. It sometimes happens.

The particular reason as for why/what is wrong, I simply don't know. Its perplexing, since it wasn't
the boot-file. Obviously windows is missing some files. Normally there are some tools available
within windows to rectify this, but since we can't get there, I only see a repair of the windows-
installation as a last ditch out of this unless we are talking full format. Full format however, is
always the last resort.

With a windows installation repair, you will lose your Microsoft updates. Which have to be
downloaded once more. But any programs, saved documents, installed games etc. will
stay. However, if you are using IE7, you will lose that to. So a backup of favorites might be
a good idea. A general backup of important data might be a wise course also, just in case.
(Belt and suspenders approach )

If you decide to have a go at the repair, I have provided a link below, with a guide how to do it.
There are pictures for every step as well. One thing to look out for tho, is that you have to skip
the first option for repair (Its actually the one you used to enter the recovery console), you need
the second option for repair which will come after the CD have prepared the computer for
windows-installation. A repair is just that actually, but instead of deleting, it overwrites and fills
in missing files if any (Which I believe there is).

Read the guide carefully through, and if you have any questions, you're welcome to ask away.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/i…dexfullpage.htm

Regards Abydos

Hello again. Well, the repair tool seemed to work. XP starts up normal again. Thank you so much for all your help and advise. However, I noticed that the search option does not work from the start menu. I keep clicking on the search button after typing in a name of a file and nothing happens.

And I'm also getting errors at startup that say "The procedure entry point EncodePointer could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll" and "Error in irprops.cpl missing entry:bluetoothauthenticationagent". What would be causing these?

And I'm also getting errors at startup that say Error in irprops.cpl missing entry:bluetoothauthenticationagent KERNEL32.dll" and "Error in irprops.cpl missing entry:bluetoothauthenticationagent". What would be causing these?

Hi mjmon

Good that you're able to access windows once again. Job well done

Error in irprops.cpl missing entry:bluetoothauthenticationagent KERNEL32.dll"

Thats related to IE7. To correct this, download IE7 and install it. Or get it via the windows-update.

Download site for IE7: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

"Error in irprops.cpl missing entry:bluetoothauthenticationagent"

A little more confusing. Have you had any bluetooth units installed before the repair?

It may be corrected once you have fully upgraded with all Microsoft-updates or IE7, but it seems related to the above. I'll look into it. Nothing I've stumbled upon before, that particular error. Or maybe somebody pops by with an answer. If I can't find anything useful, I'll ask some of the other techies.

As for the search button, I'll have to look into that as well.


Once again, glad you're up and running with your computer.

Regards Abydos

Hi again mjmon

As for those two error's, I'll await feedback once you have restored IE7.

The search-button may be restored once that in order as well. IE and Windows Explorer
are one and same program. So the repair may have removed some important files when
it removed IE7.

This however, may also be a possible fix. It can't do any harm, so no worries.

Connect to this page with IE: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks2.htm#fix
Under XP fixes, find "Restore search on the start menu" in the dropdown-menu.
Click on "Click here to download your selection"
Save the file to your desktop
Double-click the fix with no explorer windows open.
It only takes the blink of an eye (If it ask if you want to merge the data, answer yes to this)
Reboot.

See how it goes.

Regards Abydos

I tried downloading IE7, and it states it doesn't support my system (or something like that). I have sp1 and the downloads are for sp2. Is there a way around this?