Re: Deleted Userinit Value in Registry, Stuck in login logoff loop

From: Mike (mfroster_at_msn.com)
Date: 01/03/05 

Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 09:28:47 -0600

I doubt that it will work. I just went through this same thing this weekend.

Here's my reply after I fixed it:

##############################
FWIW, I fixed it.

I booted into ME and copied the SYSTEM, SECURITY, SAM, DEFAULT and SOFTWARE
backups from the XP drive "System Volume Information\Snapshot directory,
into the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory (renamed to match the original
files) and then booted into Safe Mode and restored from a valid previous
configuration.

I tried following the instruction from the Microsoft site, using the Restore
Console, but I couldn't get XP to complete the boot into Safe mode.

Without the ME boot, it could still be done at the Recover Console prompt,
but it would be a bit harder to find a previous backup in the "System Volume
Information" directory.

Mike
###########################

You'll have to boot into the Restore Console off the XP CDROM.

rename the files in the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory:
  System
  Default
  Security
  Sam
  Software
    to add ".tmp" to the end of each.

The trick is then to get into one of the Registry backups in the "System
Volume
Information" directory, in the "Snapshot" directory. Copy the
"_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM", and other files named like above, into the
C:\Windows\System32\Config directory and rename them to the original 5
names.

Then boot into the SAFE mode (which should now be allowed) and do a restore
from a previous Registry backup.

Mike

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Also checkout this reply (this was NOT my problem, couldn't find the files
in the reference article):
"Ramesh [MVP]" <ramesh@nojunkmails.com@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23XS6WDJ8EHA.3840@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
Mike,

FYI, it's caused after removing BlazeFind.

Unable to logon to Windows after removing BlazeFind using a spyware removal
utility?
http://www.winxptutor.com/wsaremove.htm
@@@@@@@@@@

"Will Denny" <willdenny@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:eR9l2SY8EHA.3616@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hi
>
> Reboot your system and then keep tapping the F8 key to access a screen
> that has 'Last Known Good Configuration' as an option. Try that to see if
> you can get back into Windows.
>
> --
>
>
> Will Denny
> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
> Please reply to the News Groups
>
>
> "flounderino" <flounderino.1ia2de@no-mx.forums.iamnotageek.com> wrote in
> message news:flounderino.1ia2de@no-mx.forums.iamnotageek.com...
>>
>> I foolishly deleted the string value for userinit in the registry
>> because I was trying to get rid of a spyware called windowsSA
>> (omniscient.exe).
>>
>> Now I am stuck in a login logoff loop wherein I am able to get to the
>> welcome screen, select a user, type in the password, then it goes
>> through the process of loading preferences, displaying the background
>> for a split second, then saves the settings and logsoff.
>>
>> I tried copying a userinit.exe from a working HD and pasting it into
>> the damaged HD then renaming it wsaupdater.exe, unfortunately this
>> yeilded no postive results. I would love ERD Commander 2003 as it looks
>> simple, but cannot afford the $149 license fee that they are asking.
>>
>> I am under the impression that I have to somehow edit the registry
>> value of userinit. I have downloaded "austrami" and "EBCD" but am not
>> familiar with the non GUI interface. If someone could walk me through
>> it, I would really appreciate it. Email me at flounderino@yahoo.com or
>> post here.
>>
>> I cannot reformat because this is not my PC and there are files that
>> the person needs. I am also hesitant to install a new XP over the
>> current one because I fear the files might be deleted.
>>
>> NEED HELP ASAP!!! Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>> --
>> flounderino
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> flounderino's Profile: http://www.iamnotageek.com/member.php?userid=8728
>> View this thread: http://www.iamnotageek.com/showthread.php?t=796128
>>
>
>

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