Failure to get past Windows logon screen

Question

I am having the following problem with a Dell Inspiron 8500.  When I startup the computer it will get to the log on screen where I can type in the password. It plays the normal start up sounds and then Immediatly logs back off playing the log off sounds and the words ' saving settings' is displayed. It then returns to the log on screen.  I have tried to using boot to last know good confiquration routine, safe mode startup, and bios troubleshooting all to no avail.  Hope someone can help.   Thanks Steven

saiwb6 · Answer

I am having a similar issue -- I turn on my laptop, log in and, and can hear all the sounds, but then my desktop goes black!  I called Dell and they are saying it is a software issue and want me to pay $99 to get support from them on software I purchased from them that came installed on their hardware!!  Outrageous!   I just think that is ridiculous   If you find out what it is let me know, and I'll do the same!

krsw78 · Answer

I'm having the same problem also....I never had the log on screen appear before...it usually just took me to my desktop.  Anyway, now the welcome screen comes up & I have to click on my name to log in.  Once I do that it says 'logging in' & then immediately after that a box pops up (like an error box that has the red circle w/ the x in it) but the box doesn't say anything besides yes or no.  No matter what I click, it makes the welcome screen say 'saving settings' and then 'logging out'.  I don't know if it's a virus or what but if someone knows ~ PLEASE HELP ME!  :smileysad:

JersWork · Answer

I have seen this happen before when XP changes the drive letter for your boot drive (usually when you add/remove drives etc.).  In that case,  you can boot from the XP CD to the recovery console and repair the MBR on the disk.  There might also be other causes of this problem,  like the security on the boot drive has changed and your system no longer has permissions to write to it.  What changed to cause your system to start acting this way?

krsw78 · Answer

I honestly don't know.  I'm the only person who uses my computer so it wouldn't have been anyone else either.  I was on there Tuesday night w/ no problems.  Well actually, that box has been popping up for about 2 weeks now (the one that is blank except for the yes/no buttons) but I've still been able to use the computer.  I was on there Tuesday....turned on my computer Wednesday night & that's when it started the log in stuff.  I can't get past the Windows XP log in part.  There's no password so it's nothing like that.  Could a virus cause something like that to happen?

slwhitney · Answer

Received this from Dell support followed the directions closely and it fixed my problem.

it seems that there is some problem with the operating system, so to resolve the issue, please run a repair on the operating system of your computer.

For more information on the issue, please access the following link:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1056993

Which says

How do I perform a Repair Reinstall of Microsoft® Windows® XP?

Windows General

Failure to get past Windows logon screen

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