PC Help!

[Firis]

PC Help!

Okay, I turned on my computer today to see that it was oddly on the Log In screen (Where it displays your PC accounts) And I have two: Me and Guest, if I click on either of those it logs in, then logs me right back out. I am on a Library computer now, is there anything I can do to fix this without sending it in for repair (I do most of my school work from the computer, so I have to get it up ASAP)

(I have a Windows XP... I did google some stuff but I wouldn't be able to do that and I don't trust my fathers ability.)

 

[Aristo]

Re: PC Help!

Sup Firis, did you try to boot up in safe mode, by pressing the F8 key when the PC is powered back on? Just keep tapping F8 until the option of selecting "Safe Mode" comes up. Try logging in to one of your accounts within safemode. If you can log in in safe mode, but not in Normal mode than sounds like a spyware problem to me. If you can login in safe mode than I have another question do you clear these directories often or ever on your pc?

Normally anything found in these directories can be safely deleted as I have found many spyware hide here:

Before you do that go to any folder and open it and on the upper left tabs tick tools/folder options/view - under "hidden files and folders make sure 'show hidden files and folders' is selected. If you don't do this most of the directories will remain invisible.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Local Settings\Temp\
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\
C:\WINDOWS\Temp\ (WINDOWS might be different on your machine, such as WINNT)
C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temp\
C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\
C:\System Volume Information\

 

[Arseface]

Re: PC Help!

Open it up in safe mode and do a thorough virus scan.

If that doesn't work, then I'd be rebuilding that sucker. Just format it and reinstall the OS.

 

[Man]

Re: PC Help!

odd, i had the EXACT same problem while working on a computer at school. I couldn't log on even when i rebooted in safe mode. Coincidence?

 

[Noctus]

Re: PC Help!

Some sort of file/virus is making it log out as soon as you log in using an automatic process/executable. As stated before, Safe Mode is your friend. Find the file (Virus scan) and get rid of it. Malwarebytes is very good at finding viruses.

 

[Aristo]

Re: PC Help!

Also I forgot to say to make sure your disconnected from the inet when you try to login again, in normal mode so there aren't any more problems. Personally I really like Avast Antivirus in combination with Zone Alarm Security, nothing has gotten past that ever. Try to get a trial version of Avast(nod32 is another good AntiV btw) and put it on a flash drive then install from their in safe mode to run the scan. Hope you can get your problem resolved. :/

 

[Firis]

Re: PC Help!

Safe mode doesn't work, it is either a virus or it is because my computer is 8 years old witholut any upgrades so it just decided to die.

 

[Aristo]

Re: PC Help!

Than I believe you need primarily a new internal(or external Harddrive, you might like better, does it have any USB Ports? =P) as yours is on it's last leg. The spyware has taken it's final tole on your HD. That happened to one of my older computers before, that got infected by spyware and I needed to get a brand new one. I'm surprised yours lasted this long honestly, mine lasted 6 years only; It's a dell though, so that's prolly why. You need to use another computer though to put the bootable windows xp OS on a compatible HD than just install it. You will have to reinstall all your drivers again though :/. I don't know how computer savvy you are but It's gonna be a little work, can't you just get a cheap notebook? I bet they are alot better than the ones your using at the library, i'd bet my life on that. ^^ Good luck.

 

[Romero]

Re: PC Help!

Safe mode doesn't work, it is either a virus or it is because my computer is 8 years old witholut any upgrades so it just decided to die.

Hi. What happens when you attempt safe mode?

Maybe a repair install is worth a try. It's likely that a format and fresh install is what you have to do, but I guess you have files and data that you want to save first. You don't have system/data backups?

 

[TRA Rotid]

Re: PC Help!

You can also install a second XP, copy your files and then reformat the drive if anything else doesn`t work.

 

[Firis]

Re: PC Help!

Thing is the school work, I don't want to mess with anything and hurt those files on accident, I will get it worked on.

 

[Arseface]

Re: PC Help!

It's why I partition my hard drive into A) OS and install folders and B) documents, music, downloads, etc. I can format the OS drive and keep all my stoofs.

 

[Firis]

Re: PC Help!

In the next few days I should be up and running at my normal posting speed: I am getting a new laptop, we decided instead of getting a new harddrive it is about time to replace my eight year old XP with a new(ish) laptop. So miss me not, be back up posting by this Saturday most likely.

 

[TRA Rotid]

Re: PC Help!

I always have a spare HDD laying around just for things like this.

I once had a hard drive problem and I used my other drive to get to the files. After I had unplugged the second drive and pressed the power ON button... BANG and my PSU was toast. Took some days to get that replaced. :lol: What a careless mistake.