When I log in on any account, my pc immediatly logs back off.

[joe]

When I try to log into my wife's PC using any of the user accounts, it loads
the desktop and then logs back off. This happens in safe mode also.
I cannot use system restore since I can't log into the PC.
I downloaded AVG anti-virus 7.0 and when it asked me to reboot thats when
the problem started.
I used recovery commander to disable the AVG files but that did not work
either.
I am running XP home with no service packs. The machine is used and had XP
home on it when we bought it. We have been running it for about 2 years abd
the only issues we have had was when I tried to download SP1 and SP2 it said
that I needed the product key. I did not get the product key when we bought
it (pawn shop).
I have loaded AVG onto several PCs without any problems, including ones with
questionable OS heritage.
Please help, has this the main family PC and the kids can't do their
homework and my wife can't play her music or pics.
Thanx, Joe

[Shenan Stanley]

Actually - when you boot in Safe Mode - it should ask you if you want to
continue logging in or if you want to use System Restore to restore the
system to an earlier date...

Is it not getting that far in Safe mode when you log in as the user
'administrator' there?
Boot into safe mode. Click the System Restore link. Click the Restore My
Computer to an earlier time, next.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Pegasus (MVP)]

"joe" <j...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F2D35872-1F79-4600...@microsoft.com...

You have two problems: One serious, the other not so serious.

The serious problem is the lack of a product key. It's much the
same as buying a car without keys. Unless you get a valid
product key, you can expect ongoing problems. The program
"keyfinder.exe" (http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml)
might or might not tell you your product key.

The less serious problem is your inability to log on. It is usually
caused by a change in the system drive letter: Instead of C: it
might now be D: or E:. The cure depends on your facilities:
- This is a networked PC (easy to fix).
- You have access to another desktop PC that runs WinXP/2000
(somewhat less easy to fix).
- None of the above (hard to fix).

As a starting move you can boot the the machine with your
WinXP installation CD, select Repair when prompted, then
select Recovery Console. Now run the command fixmbr.
This will sometimes fix the problem.

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

To view the entire thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_thread/thread/7317ec237cd17721/78405655f9eba495?tvc=2&q=#78405655f9eba495

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:
> You have two problems: One serious, the other not so serious.
>
> The serious problem is the lack of a product key. It's much the
> same as buying a car without keys. Unless you get a valid
> product key, you can expect ongoing problems. The program
> "keyfinder.exe" (http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml)
> might or might not tell you your product key.

<snip>

Ouch.. Good catch.
Somehow I missed the whole part about...

"... the only issues we have had was when I tried to download SP1 and SP2 it

said that I needed the product key. I did not get the product key when we

bought it (pawn shop) ..."

For that I will add that if they have to purchase a valid key because theirs
is
invalid - they can use this tool:

The Genuine Advantage Product Key Update Tool is only valid for
users attempting to change their current non-genuine Product Key
to a genuine COA sticker or genuine Product Key - all without a
reinstall!

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

[Rock]

"joe" wrote

Why are there no service packs on this system? It should be running SP2.
The service packs fixed many problems and SP2 was a significant step in
security.

Hopefully you have a full and complete backup of the important data that's
on that computer, and backup regularly.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

[joe]

I can get to the log in in for any user including admin, but the same thing
happens. I get to the deask top and within about 1 second it logs back off
again.

[joe]

P.s. I have done this in safe mode. I have also done system restore from the
boot manu. don't work.

[joe]

I have tried to recovery console. It will work when I have an actual copy of
XP home. I borrowed a copy and tried to disable AVG. This did not work. I had
to give the XP copy back and am now trying to find another copy of XP home. I
belive that i might have gotten a virus that corrupted my registry. I think
that the only way to fix it other than pull the hard drive and copy the files
onto another pc is to get into recovery coomander and repair the registry. If
I did pull the hard drive and put it into another pc, I am afraid that i
might infect the new PC. Any thoughts?.

[joe]

Rock in case you did not catch my full letter I bought the pc from a pawn
shop and I probably don't have a legitimate copy of XP. As far as backing up,
any backups I have are probably infected with the virus that caused this
problem in the first place. She did not have an anti-virus in place. This
problem started when i tried to download AVG, probably the best anti-virus I
have worked with. i have never had problem until now with it on any pc I
have worked on, unlike the rst which give me nothing but headaches and lie to
me so they can rip me off.