Windows Log on and Log off immediately.

Article ID: 555648 - View products that this article applies to.
Author: Nirmal Sharma MVP
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SUMMARY

Windows Log on and Log off immediately
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SYMPTOMS

You may face this problem when logging on to Windows. When you type user name and password you are again presented with User name and Password dialogue box. You try hard to get in but to no avail.
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CAUSE

You may not be able to log on to system using either Normal Mode or Safe Mode. This occur only when Winlogon service tries to load the Windows default shell (explorer.exe) and user shell (userinit.exe) from registry. This service searches for Explorer.exe and Userinit.exe in the following path of registry:
 
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
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RESOLUTION

Edit these values and type the correct path of shell :
 
            Shell = explorer.exe
            Userinit=X:\windows\system32\userinit.exe
 
NOTE: These files may also be deleted by spywares. You may need to extract them using Windows CD. 
 
Steps for rectifying this problem:
 
  • Log on to a networked computer.
  • Run Regedit.exe
  • Point your cursor to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • Select File > Connect Remote Registry
  • Type computer name (infected computer)
  • Navigate to the following location in registry of destination or infected computer
 
 
                        HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
 
  • Edit these two values in right pane:
 
                  Shell
                  Userinit
 
  • Change these two values to
                  Shell=explorer.exe
                  Userinit = x:\windows\system32\userinit.exe
 
  • Exit from Registry
  • Restart Infected computer.
  • You should be able to log on to computer.
     
 
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Properties

Article ID: 555648 - Last Review: June 28, 2006 - Revision: 1.0
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
Keywords: 
kbpubmvp kbpubtypecca kbhowto KB555648
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