Can't log off or shutdown XP

[the_net_2.0]

all,

I've recently made some changes in my user utility in the CP of XP. I can't log off my user now that has no password. no buttons work, and the "shutdown" command in DOS doesn't even do it.

a solution I found told me to check the c disc for errors using the disc's property dialog, but this user that is logged on is "limited", and only administrator account has those rights.

I don't really want to hold down the power button to force a shutdown, but that's all that's left. Is there reprecussion with that if this user's c: disc (or any) is damaged?? I'm afraid that this user's file, wherever it is on the disc, is actually damaged. Does forcing a shutdown automatically log off users?? I plan on deleting this user account once it's logged off anyway.

thanks guys!

 

[boblarson]

Forcing a shutdown does essentially log all users off. And I have had many situations where I've had to hold the power button to reset because everything was either locked or I couldn't restart or log out either. I don't know why that happens and while it isn't good to do a forced shutdown often, sometimes that is the only recourse.

 

[Minkey]

all,

I've recently made some changes in my user utility in the CP of XP. I can't log off my user now that has no password.

Tut tut a user with no password

Did you try the obvious first - reinstate a password log in as the user. You can also reset it under an admin login.

You could also try the following: clicky.

but...is this a work machine? if so be careful because depending on how the network and particularly user accounts are managed you might make more trouble in fact you shouldn't remove a password, or be able to remove it unless your an admin unless your IT security policy is erm....not up to scratch as it were.

This is of course if user accounts are managed by AD (active directory).

 

[the_net_2.0]

guys,

I did do a forced shutdown, as another page I looked at talked extensively about corrupt user files causing this very same thing. Actually I think that might have been the case, because if I remember right, I changed the "user" account from admin rights to limited rights when it was still logged into windows. I did it from my newly created account, but I switched users to do it, I did not log out of the first one.

And No, for you Minkey, it was not a work computer...simply something from Ebay. Actually, I've posted a few other threads about this dumb thing here already!

At any rate though, I did manage to force the shutdown, log in as my newly created admin account and delete the problem account out. So it is gone now.

Thanks for the replies! I literally tried everything else possible...