Re: Unable to reach desktop

From: Rick \ (rick_at_mvps.org)
Date: 09/14/04 

Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:53:29 -0400

Hi Karen,

There is no easier solution that I am aware of. The problem is that the
registry value mentioned is looking for the wsaupdater.exe file to validate
the logon. As the file is not there, it cannot validate and rejects the
logon. You can't edit the registry and correct it without logging on, or by
remotely loading the registry hive (something for advanced users).

The second part of that post provides the most viable solution for home
users. The alternative is a repair install or full reinstall - not the best
options for a number of reasons. By copying the file you should be using
(userinit.exe) as the file that the system is looking for (wsaupdater.exe),
you are essentially "fooling" the system so that it will load the user
profile. Once loaded, you can manually correct the registry and delete the
copied file. 

-- 
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
"Karen" <Karen@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message 
news:DC787052-E48B-44D0-9CFA-BF3597395595@microsoft.com...
> I'm having the EXACT same problem Chuch wrote about.  However, I'm a 
> computer
> novice and while Rick's reply may be accurate, I'm wondering if there is 
> an
> easier fix for this problem?  It is very frustrating becasue I can't even 
> get
> to my desktop.
>
> Thanks for any help anyone can provide to this computer novice!
>
> -Karen
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi Chuck,
>>
>> Run any spyware removal programs lately? The userinit value may have been
>> corrupted by the removal of blazefind. It adds wsaupdater.exe to the 
>> logon
>> value in the system registry, sometimes appending it, sometimes replacing
>> it. Running Adaware or other cleaners detects and removes wsaupdater.exe,
>> but doesn't correct the registry damage. If this is the case, then you 
>> may
>> need to load the registry hive from another installation and change it. 
>> This
>> is the key:
>>
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
>>
>> Userinit string value should be:
>>
>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
>>
>> On the damaged installations it's one of these:
>>
>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,
>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\wsaupdater.exe,
>>
>> Another "quickie" method of resolution is to load the Recovery Console 
>> (see
>> below), copy userinit.exe as wsaupdater.exe from the command prompt, then
>> restart normally. Once in, go and change the registry value back to what
>> it's supposed to be and delete the copied file.
>>
>> HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654
>>
>> This can also be done by using the 6 disk boot floppy set mentioned in 
>> the
>> above article, as it loads enough of the Recovery Console so that you can
>> copy the file. This is particularly useful if you have an OEM 
>> installation
>> that includes only a Restore CD, or no disk at all.
>>
>> -- 
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> "Chuck" <Chuck.1chtcy@pcbanter.net> wrote in message
>> news:Chuck.1chtcy@pcbanter.net...
>> >
>> > I am running XP Home on a gateway 500 x.  Whe I start up i get the
>> > welcome screen with my name.  When I select my name it indicates
>> > loading personal setting, then quickly goes to logoff, and returns to
>> > my welcome screen.  The same thing happens when I start in safe mode.
>> > Any advice?
>> >
>> >
>> > -- 
>> > Chuck
>>
>>
>>