Windows XP issue - shutdown after logon

[Devhux]

Well, looks like it's my turn for some Windows XP troubleshooting.

My father called me up today to let me know that Windows can't log on. While loading personal settings, a dialog box comes up and indicates there was an issue with LSASS.EXE and that the system will shutdown. While it reminds me of the old Sasser bug from many years ago, the system is running Service Pack 3 (and I believe all updates as of two weeks ago), and also have Microsoft Security Essentials. They are also behind a router/firewall.

Booting into Safe Mode just gives a black screen with "Safe Mode" on all four corners, and does not bring up a login screen at all. Last Known Good configuration also doesn't work (though I think if the system gets to the logon screen, it considers that "good."

I'm heading over there tomorrow with some boot discs with malware/spyware scanners and such. Anyone know of something in particular i should look for and/or check?

[Markel]

Sounds vaguely familiar.

[Devhux]

Sounds vaguely familiar.

I did think of reno's issue when creating this post, but realized the main difference is this one doesn't bring you back to the login page - it actually reboots the system. I'll probably poke around the registry with a BartPE disk and see what I come up with.

I do know that the machine was just upgraded to SP3 recently, so maybe that has a role to play in it.

[renovation]

i can tell you this i just got a call today on a second rig doing the samething or something like it. not seen the machine yet but this is from some people who don't even know the people i got the last service call from .
fyi what i had to do to the last machine was reformat the harddrive at the end of a week of trying all kinds of things on it. the problem keep returning its ugly self until i cleaned the drive and did a complete f-disk . then reinstalling of windows xp on it. and theres so many updates to windows xp now it's making it a true pain there like 75 plus or so updates for xp after disk load.
your dads machine will make the forth time now in a week i have heard of this problem or something very close to what i ran into. good luck with it as i have no real help for you except to f-disk it and start fresh over.

[a-10tankkiller]

I just had this problem a month or so ago. I had an older laptop that did the same thing after getting it up to date with MS updates. I ended up starting over and reinstalling XP.

[whitealexander]

back-up the files that your dad needs and reformat the HD.. nothing much you can do there mate expect make it fresh again.

[Jeffbx]

Try booting from the XP CD & running a repair

[Devhux]

I ended up trying a bunch of things yesterday and finally ended up doing a repair install.

Unfortunately, it appears one of the big reasons for the issues is the 80GB Maxtor boot drive. SeaTools for Windows fails the drive almost instantly in the Short DST test. Guess I can add it to my pile of dead hard drives.