[mrsspirit]

when i start my computer it comes up log in user and i click on it it keeps saying logging off and wont let me get into machine how do i get past this as hopefully i dont want to format my computer. I have put computer in safe mode and deleted all account users but when i start computer they are still there

[PsychoCoder]

Moving to Computer & Operating System Support. You're not going to get the best notice here in the VB forums

[no2pencil]

2 ways to fix this error.

I'll need to dig up some documentation as it's been about a month or so since I encountered this same error.

1st check for the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe

It's either missing or corrupt. If it's missing, you'll need to do a repair w/ your XP boot disk.
If it is there, rename it to wsaupdater.exe. When you reboot Windows should create a new userinit.exe, that is not corrupt.

If it is there & renaming it does not fix the error, then you'll need to extract the following windows registry key to change/repair it. Or fix it on another machine by taking the hard drive out.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\UserInit\

Chances are the nasty that got into your machine changed this registry entry to their own location. Just point it back to userinit.exe like it should & this should take care of your situation.

... I'll be back to edit this post

[no2pencil]

If all else fails you should be able to boot off your cd & issue sfc /scannow which should replace all of your Windows System files that have been changed.