Windows XP Login problems

MAC_Addy

I am not on a domain, just my home computer.

I have 4 users that frequently use this computer.

When I go to login, it makes the sound like it's going to go...

...but then it goes back to the login screen. So basically I have to login twice.

What's wrong?

Non-Profit Techie

thats a new one to me. does it do it in safe mode as well?

MAC_Addy

Non-Profit Techie wrote:

thats a new one to me. does it do it in safe mode as well?

No, I dont think so.

hanakuin

After you login are there any errors in the event log?

KGhaleon

Definately check the event logs. You say you have to login twice...so the screen disappears and then returns to where you have to login again? Is it the welcome screen or the regular 2000 logon process where you have to press CTRL+ALT+DEL?

You may wish to check your machine for malware just to be sure there isn't an issue there. Does it do this on all user accounts?

KG

malcybood

Never seen this before on a Windows only logon, only really ever seen where it asks for a "windows workstation" password when logging into a Windows Domain/Novell tree and the domain/tree password is out of sync with the workstation, but if this machine is not on either it sounds like a corrupted profile issue. Try the following:

1. Reset the user password
- Login as Admin
- Go to start - run - control userpasswords2 - click OK
- reset the user account password
- logout
- login

Sometimes silly things like this fix these types of problems. Failing this then try...............

2. Recreate the profile
- Reboot machine
- login as admin NOT problematic user
- Rename c:\docs and settings\username to username.old
- Reboot machine
- login with usual username and password
- copy c:\documents and settings\username.old\desktop, favourites, my documents to the newly created c:\documents and settings\username folder and select "yes to all"

This will re-create your Windows profile

malcybood

......or do a system restore to the last restoration point that it worked

Start - run - helpctr - OK

Search for system restore

Restore my computer to an earlier time, select date closest to the time you last logged in successfully.

sprkymrk

Are you able to successfully log in the second attempt, or does it continue to return to the login prompt?