Windows Xp Mess

[gia66]

Hi everyone..for the past week I started getting a message saying I didn't have an authentic copy of Windows? on my laptop I use Windows XP anyway I ignored it. now my laptop is not working at all. When I try to log on to windows and sign into one of my accounts it immediately says saving settings logging off even when I boot in safe mode it does the same thing. I dont know if someone hacked it or its because of the Windows Authentication.

I really dont want to reinstall windows because I have files and software that I need but it may be the only way.. by the way I have a dell
   

[tomron]

Which browser does this happen with,IE,FF,etc

Did you try regular safe mode.....or safe mode with networking.

If you recently switched browsers check this link....assuming safe mode with networking works.You need a plug in for FF

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate/ValidateNow.aspx?displaylang=en

[gia66]

Noo its not the browsers Im having trouble with you know in Windows XP when your computer boots up its takes you to a welcome screen with the user accounts..well when I click on my user account and type in my password it immediately goes to a black screen then says saving settings logging off..I cant get into my computer at all.

I've tried pressing F8 I believe in booting in  Last known config option as well as safe mode I feel like throwing it out the window..I may just have to reinstall Windows someone said to try windows repair but I don't know

[Jewels]

Hey Gia, first off, is it actually an authentic version of xp registered to you? Knowing that will help us to help you. Also, you can get your files off before a reinstall if it comes to that, so don't go that drastic yet.

[tomron]

I feel like throwing it out the window

  I'm familiar with that feeling....

When you login in try typing in Administrator as a user name and leave password blank....if a no go try Administrator as user name and your password.

If still a no go try this.

Before the welcome screen appears press Ctrl+Alt+Del repeatedly.

 The classic login should appear. Type Administrator for the user name and enter the password you set for the administrator Account.

                   
                        Or you can do what I do....check my avatar...LOL

       

[gia66]

Jewels I think my ex burned a copy of XP when he fixed it last year I do have an original XP disk I just have to locate it when I purchased the computer I used the original disk..What happened was I did the windows update and thats when I started getting that message

Tom I'll try that too and I'll see what happens..If I choose to reinstall with the original disk how do I recover the files thanks for your responses

[gia66]

Tom I just got that check my avatar joke lol

[tomron]

If I choose to reinstall with the original disk how do I recover the files thanks for your responses

I never did upgrades or installs before so I don't know the answer and I certainly don't want to give you the wrong advise.

I found this link which might help.

http://www.diskdoctors.net/recover-data-reinstall-windows.html

Try the suggestion I provided.

[Jewels]

Jewels I think my ex burned a copy of XP when he fixed it last year I do have an original XP disk I just have to locate it when I purchased the computer I used the original disk..What happened was I did the windows update and thats when I started getting that message

Assuming you have installed service pack 3, MS is providing free phone support for users of this service pack. Check this page:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&gprid=12757&
the support number is 866-234-6020

this issue is fairly common, and can sometimes be caused by windows updates. so the first thing is to check with MS since they're providing free support.

As to reinstalling....depending on what sp (if any)exists on your original disk you could have some issues. You can try the repair option, but if your system has a higher service pack on it than is on your original disk, you will have some problems. You can slipstream your current service pack into your xp disk by using nlite which is pretty easy for newbies, but if you're not familiar with that then only choose to slipstream, don't try any of the other features. Also, this works best when used with an original XP cd as opposed to an OEM version. So if yours is a dellXP cd ymmv.

For getting your data off, I have had great luck using Puppy as a live cd. Just mount your hd and then transfer files to a usb stick or external hard drive.

[Angry Johnny]

here's something I used which let me get the files off my dying lappy earlier: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3268568/Ultimate_Recovery_AllInOne_Multilanguage_BootCD_Hirens

I know posting a torrent isn't 'kosher', but it's a great little cd which has every diagnostic tool known to man to help you figure out what's wrong with your computer.

[gia66]

Thank you all I'm going to try all steps provided I'll figure it out..I have to find the Original XP disk going crazy looking for it lol thanks again for your responses Tom Jewels, and Angry Johnny

[swytch]

@gia66-

Well.. i have run into this before.  If it had been caught before it started shutting you down, you could have possibly used this tool to change the Windows Key to the correct one:
http://www.shivaranjan.com/2006/09/18/how-to-find-and-change-windows-product-key-and-registration-information/

But.. since you are already at the point of "no access" to the Windows interface, here are a few things to play with:

If you can boot the PC and get into Windows with either a Windows XP Boot CD or a Linux LiveCD,
i have had great luck with killing the WGA nags by using this method: http://www.dmonik.com/basement/Disable%20WGA%20in%20XP.htm

You might also try to uninstall the Windows Update which put Windows Genuine Validation Tool on your machine.  not positive you can get to the Add/remove programs from the Windows Boot CD, but maybe.

If you get in with a Linux LiveCD, try to copy your important files onto a USB device of some sort, as this method is used frequently with computer forenscics work.


does it give you the option to "activate now" or "buy online"?  If so, try to click one or both of them and see if you can get into an interface to replace your bad Windows Key with the "good one" i believe you mentioned you had (If you have a Dell, its on a sticker on your PC).

Let me know if this helps...

P.S.  you were not Haq'd.  Its strickly a Windows issue.


Swytch~~ 

[gia66]

This has nothing to do with my laptop that didnt work out well..Jason this is my Blue Screen of Death just showing everyone I keep getting different things online its just time to upgrade every time I scan or try to install an antivirus this happens

[Angry Johnny]

Ahh, the good ole corrupted windows file.  Can you boot into safemode at all?  Even if you can boot into safemode with command prompt, run a quick scandisk (chkdsk command...sorry, old names are better).  Sounds simplistic, but it doesn't seem to be a hardware failure.  Also, try to get any of those bootdisks, as they can usually have a way to repair the file corrupted.

[tomron]

If you're going to try chkdsk.

At cmd prompt type.....chkdsk /f....note the space between chkdsk and /

Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? <y/n>" ......then press y>then enter

I noticed that you have ""Beginning Dump Of Physical Memory"...some of the possible issues can be a driver or ram.

Have you tried system restore....keep in mind that you will lose all data after the system restore date