When I click on my account it says 'logging on' then 'logging off' and goes back to the logon screen...I am the only user, all my hardware seems to be working, and this happens at boot up, always. I am the administrator on the pc....HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

Can you start in Safe Mode? (Tap the F8 key during a machine start to get the Microsoft Windows Startup Menu.)


If so, open a Command Prompt window. Type in chkdsk c: /r at the command prompt. (If c: is your windows drive. If not, adjust accordingly.) It will inform you that it must be run at the next boot. (Comply, shut down Windows and reboot.)

Next run a file check on the O/S.

If you have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /purgecache

(This ensures that system files are copied from your Windows installation media, and files which may be infected with malware, or are corrupted, are not copied from your drive. Some of the files which are restored/replaced may need MS Updates applied. If sfc replaces any such files, you will have to reinstall updates for those files. (If you have Automatic Updates active, this will happen automatically.))

Then type in:

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD handy.


If you don't have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /scannow


Post back with your results and any further questions.

Originally Posted by Dan Penny

Can you start in Safe Mode? (Tap the F8 key during a machine start to get the Microsoft Windows Startup Menu.)


If so, open a Command Prompt window. Type in chkdsk c: /r at the command prompt. (If c: is your windows drive. If not, adjust accordingly.) It will inform you that it must be run at the next boot. (Comply, shut down Windows and reboot.)

Next run a file check on the O/S.

If you have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /purgecache

(This ensures that system files are copied from your Windows installation media, and files which may be infected with malware, or are corrupted, are not copied from your drive. Some of the files which are restored/replaced may need MS Updates applied. If sfc replaces any such files, you will have to reinstall updates for those files. (If you have Automatic Updates active, this will happen automatically.))

Then type in:

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD handy.


If you don't have an XP CD:
Click START, RUN, type in:

sfc /scannow


Post back with your results and any further questions.

I cannot get to a command prompt, no matter how i access the windows login screen, as soon as i click on my icon, it automatically saves my settings and logs out before even loading the screen, its like a 1 sec pause between loggin on and logging off...the only screen i can get is the initial windows login screen in safe mode or regular mode. Restoring didn't help either. Are we talking a full re-install? I am in Calgary, AB, is it possible to call you?

I am in Calgary, AB, is it possible to call you?

Er, no. Sorry, I'm not about to give out my phone number. #1, it's poor security, and #2, I'm on dial-up so my efforts on the various sites I Moderate/contribute to would be reduced.

Do you have either a retail or manufacturers XP CD?

If so, boot to the Recovery Console: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

To run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM, follow these steps:
Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type the appropriate commands to diagnose and repair your Windows XP installation.

Run the chkdsk command from here.

Post back with your results.

I'm off work today, so I'll be back and forth between sites/threads etc all day.