Re: Winlogon Error

You will observe, from the other correspondence in this thread, that my
initial problem has been solved. I am now following-up on your
recommendations. Scannow has been run and, gratifyingly, identifies a
‘clean’ machine, leaving me with one remaining task. I have two computers,
one with a recovery CD and the other with a full XP disk. The first was
supplied without SP2 or SP3, whilst the newer one came without SP3. Both
machines were subsequently updated to SP3 without, I am pleased to say, any
difficulty.

My problem, as I now understand it from a colleague – I have not had
occasion to try it myself – is that, if I attempt to restore either machine
from the supplied CD, the exercise will fail because SP3 will not ‘update’ to
earlier versions, leaving me, presumably with no option but to reformat the
disk and start from scratch, in the event of a major problem.

My newer Dell machine came with instructions on how to make a single Dell OS
Recovery CD but, when the instructions are followed, the necessary utility
does not appear to be installed and Dell seems to be very vague on the issue.

You mention burning a new CD, incorporating the latest service pack. I have
followed your links, and done a bit of Googling, but cannot see how to create
a new CD. Is there an alternative to buying a full OS disk incorporating
SP3? Recovery from a bare SP2 , or even SP1, machine could be a long and
frustrating process if, for some reason, my regular back-up does not work.
It is always useful to have a disk, particularly with an older computer.


"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

<snip>
Peter Hallett wrote:
Reinstalling the OS offers a solution but, unless I can get away
with a non-destructive installation, that might turn out to be
the use of a sledgehammer to crack a nut that might be broken by
simpler means. Any suggestions?
<snip>

Run SFC /scannow
(* Only if you have a Windows CD at the same service pack level as your
installed OS - if you do not - you should likely make one by integrating the
latest service pack into your CD and burning a new one.)
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/sfc-scannow.htm

Repair Installation is also an option (non-destructive.) Same caveat - you
should have a Windows XP CD at the same service pack level as your current
machine.

For your problem - I probably would try replacing your USERINIT.EXE first -
using a BartPE CD works for me - but it can also be done in the Recovery
Console.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

.

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