I bought a used laptop running XP. When I first got it it was logging on fine, it didn’t ask me for the password even though I was using the old user’s setting.
But then a bunch of crap started to happen… like it wasn’t loading my personal settings. To get to the desktop I had to press Ctrl/Alt/Del then Run task and run explorer or something to get into windows and to have my setting loaded.
I started to think it was a virus so I tried to run a scan but some files were corrupted in the program. Then I downloaded a free virus scanner and tried to install it then it said something was wrong with windows installer, so I downloaded a new installer and installed the virus scanner. I had over 700 infected files. they put in quaranteen, then they said to restart. I couldn’t restart because the start icon disappeared and CAD was not working so I held down the power button for five seconds. Then I turned it back on. Now it’s asking for a password. WHY? Is there any way around
Boot in safe mode. To do so, hold "F8" while the computer is booting. If you need any more instructions, visit the following website.
Sounds like you got hosed on the purchase. Where did you buy this laptop from? I’d take it to a local computer shop to see what the problems are. You probably need a new hard drive.