Another Laptop in a startup login/logoff loop

frogbottler

This has had me going round in circles all day

Compaq presario 2100 model No 2135US
Windows XP Home edition has product key label on the base but no recovery discs.
Intel celeron 1.5GHz 256MB Ram & 30GB hard drive
Only Service Pack 1 is installed !!

I rescued this from someone who was going to dump it. I've been using it for extra storage for photos (transferring files via usb flash drive), word processing and as a portable re-charger for a Creative Zen & occasionally to watch dvd's.

In a moment of madness yesterday I connected the laptop to the internet for the first time since aquiring it and downloaded and ran Avast which removed masses of nasties before a small screen appeared 'Loading your personal settings' followed a few seconds later by ''saving your settings' and then back to the login screen and the loop continues ad infinitum.

I found similar problems to mine on google and the consensus seems to be to do a clean install or use the bootable Linux "PC Regedit" and edit the userinit key to read: "C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe,"
or if userinit’s value seems to be OK, but you are still stuck in the loop, look for an Image File Execution Option for userinit.exe and delete it. HINT : Delete HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/Image File Execution Options/userinit.exe

I have downloaded PCRegedit and followed the instructions as far as viewing userinit. But mine looks identical to above including the trailing comma and I can't find an Image file. The Registry is a complete mystery to me so I'm loathe to mess with it without someone to hold my hand

I can't do a system recovery or factory install because I don't have the XP discs, Compaq website no longer supports this model & I can't download the Windows online recovery because the laptop only has SP1 installed. I've also tried the Avira AntiVir rescue but it hangs at 70%

I've run out of ideas to regain windows XP & I'm now trying Linux. I've never used Linux before so I'm having to think about what I'm doing before I do it (no bad thing). I've created a LucidPuppy 5.10 live cd and transferred all my files (tho as they were 2nd copies they weren't that important).

I'm in two minds. Do I try to get XP working? - assuming you guys can tell me how & what to do

or should I stick stick with Puppy? (or an alternative linux for low spec machine).

Any help/advice appreciated.
Thanks for reading

Donnie

You tell us. Do you want to stick with XP or try Linux?

frogbottler

Donnie wrote: »

You tell us. Do you want to stick with XP or try Linux?

Thanks for replying Donnie. If it's possible to do a clean restore I'll stick with XP if only because I'm used to it. If I can't recover XP then I'll use linux but I'll have a lot of 'how do I do this' questions

John_Gray

I had this some time ago on someone's laptop, and was able to sort it out by going into Safe Mode with Networking, and running Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, SuperAntiSpyware and HitMan Pro in sequence, until no problems showed up. It wasn't quick, though...

Donnie

Can you start up in Safe Mode?

frogbottler

Sorry John, I should have said the reason I tried the bootable Avira Antiv rescue cd was because the 'Loading/Saving your personal settings' loop happens in Safe Mode too

frogbottler

No I can't Donnie

Donnie

Never mind, we can still repair and update your system. Check your PM inbox.

frogbottler

Thanks Donnie, I've sent you a pm

frogbottler

Donnie wrote: »

Never mind, we can still repair and update your system. Check your PM inbox.

Many, many, thanks for all your help Donnie. XP is up and running and all my old files installed once again on the 'new' laptop. :j

I owe you one. :T