Help starting up netbook after cleaning off the Internet Security 2010 virus (CD, desktop)

[lrfox]

I hate that this is my first post to this sub-forum, but here it goes:

I had the Internet Security 2010 Virus (link is to info on the virus) which was a pain in the butt; but from my understanding, not too damaging. Using some of the posted removal methods and a little help from Norton, I removed it. Now, when I restart my computer, it takes me to the login screen as usual. When I enter my password, it says "logging in" and my desktop background image is shown with no icons or start bar and it immediately says, "logging off" and reverts back to the windows login screen.

I'm running an Asus ee-pc 1005ha with Windows XP. Anyone have any suggestions about how to fix this? Starting in Safe or any other mode isn't working. Obviously, I can't "download" a fix because I can't log in. Just hoping I can get some advice before I have to go spend some money to fix. Thanks!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Now, when I restart my computer, it takes me to the login screen as usual. When I enter my password, it says "logging in" and my desktop background image is shown with no icons or start bar and it immediately says, "logging off" and reverts back to the windows login screen.

I've seen this exact issue a few times and in meant that the userinit.exe file was missing or corrupted. If memory serves, the file should be in the c:\windows\system32 folder. I have a copy of a flash drive and its 26,116 bytes. You'll need to somehow get a copy from a working XP machine and copy it to your computer. That's the tricky part. Depending on your skill level there's several ways to do it. You can copy userinit.exe to a flash drive, then boot your computer with boot CD of some kind (Linux, BartPE) and copy the file to your hard drive. Alternately, you could temporarily connect your hard drive to a working PC and copy it in that way.