Massive computer issues for me

from WinCustomize Forums
Yesterday I was surfing the net minding my own business, when all of the sudden I get a whole bunch of pop-ups. I began closing out of them, but one thing led to another, and somehow, I ended up installing something pretty dangerous I think. I think that because last night at 8 oclock our time, my computer decided to freeze up on my dad (while I was at work). So he restarted it, and now I cannot log into either of the two users on the computer. It simply freezes up before it has a chance to do anything besides display the "Loading personal settings..." dialog. Anyways, I tried to get in via Safe Mode to recover some of my data, but it still wont let me into my user. It will let me into the other user, but since all my files in my user are protected, I cant access or copy them to another computer on our home network. So this has left me in a fine situation. 1) No backups. (doh!) 2) No access to files. 3) Possible reformat on the horizon.

Oh yeah! I also ran three different virus scans from the other user, and all showed up with no results. Nothing new in msconfig that I could find, and when I did a system restore, nothing changed for the better.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could have caused this monumental catastrophe? Any help would be appreciated. With luck, I will be able to figure out some way into the system, but things arent looking good at the moment.

/me crosses fingers
31,402 views 138 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
alright startup in safe mode as the admin. as the admin you can change the security settings on any folder so you can access them. I have forgotten how to do it but it is relatively simple. you just need to set the owner to the admin, something to do with right click and the options menu. Now that you have control over your files you can save them then reinstall windows. This little admin trick is why you always want your admin password protected, you can do anything you want in safe mode if you are the admin.

give me about 10-20 minutes and refigure it out.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow! Travis, you sure know how to fix everything! (Well, I suppose that comes from BREAKING everything first ) I hope you refigure fast.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like taking stuff apart and seeing how it works. In the process sometimes things don't get put back right and I have to figure it all out again. It really helps for a lot of problems, and causes many too...

Alright go into safe mode and logon as the admin. Find the folder/s you want to access in the explorer. right click and choose properties. click on the security tab. click on the advanced button on the bottom. now in this new dialogue click on the owner tab. Change the owner to the admin, not the user. Usually you can just type in Administrator if you haven't changed the admins name (which you should do), or it might be on the list below. click ok and get on out of those dialogues. now you should be able to access that folder via the admin.

if you can't, further assistance will be provided
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, if it ain't broken how you gonna learn to fix it?

really though...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
you break it
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool. Will work on that asap.

Question: Will I have to change the owner back if I somehow manage to recover from this without a reformat?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yes you would need to change the owner back if you want to access the folder with its normal user
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Travis you ever get ICQ yet? I want a word with you.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'll get it...give me a second
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hello kona

tell me if its working
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok Travis, further assistance required.

I followed your instructions to the letter, and I get the same old Access Denied error. Does the fact that I have the user I'm trying to access passworded affect the abilty to use this fix?
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the password shouldn't effect it. Once you are the owner of the folder its yours. When you changed the owner did it say that the admin was the owner, or that a person with administrative abilities was the owner. they look a lot alike there

Let me try another question, does it say anything about why it won't log into your account at safemode?
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not that I think any of this is the problem, but did you happen to create a 'password' floppy when you last installed XP?



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Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, it sorta logs me in, but I have the black backdrop, no start menu, no icons, absolutely nothing at all to click on. I managed to make some minor backups using the task manager. It showed up when I ctrl-alt-dlted to reboot. I hit "Run Program..." and moved a bunch of files from there, onto the network. But its still just black screen, with safe mode in all the corners, and the SP # at the top. The other normal user works fine in safe mode. So does the admin one.

I have two administrator options. (note: Hal9000 is my computer name. Ironic eh?) The first one says: "Administrator [HAL9000\Administrator]". The second one says "Administrators [HAL9000\Administrators]".
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not that I think any of this is the problem, but did you happen to create a 'password' floppy when you last installed XP?


That would be a no. But I know what the password is.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Example of access denied message: "C:\Documents and Settings\Justin\My Documents is not accessible. Access is denied."
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I had no doubt you knew it, I was curious whether your 'puter knew it...

I just don't think this is a simple access problem or you wouldn't be able to get into any account. It sounds like one of your system files in that account got wacked. Is 'Justin' the account you can't get into?



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Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
log into your account in safemode. open up the task manager. in the run diologue type in explorer.exe

tell me what happens
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It wont let me into either account actually. I have two accounts on the computer: Family and Justin. Both of which are now non-functional. Last night, for a brief period, I was able to log onto the Family one, but it took a really long time. I have tried waiting for over 1/2 an hour for my user to log in, but it just wouldnt go any farther than the "Loading personal settings..." dialog. Now the family user wont go any farther than that either.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It will probably show two...his and yours



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Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
have you tried booting up into dos safemode?
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
According to task manager, explorer.exe is running already. Should I end that instance of it first?
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
dos safemode


Whats that? I havent heard of that before.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
when you get to the option to log into the safemode by pressing f8 (or whatever button it is for you) repeatedly at the startup before the bootskin comes into play there should be several options for safemode. I have xp pro so it might be different if you have xphome