Long startup, no safe mode, eternal log in.

The other day I turned off my computer using the button for the first time. When I turned it back on, it took longer, as is expected due to the auto hibernate thing, but when the log in screen came up, the background wasn't there. When I tried to log in it had my account details with the circles and said "Welcome" like usual, but it lasted for 10 minutes. after turning it off and trying again twice, I looked up the problem and saw it might work if I started I safe mode, the way to do that being shift clicking restart. However, whenever I would click the power button on the screen, shift or not, it would simply reload the profile selection screen. Now I think I do know what the problem is. I recently replaced my shell32.dll file (while keeping a backup of both the one from system32 and sysWOW) while trying to get a custom theme. I assume it messed with explorer and now it cant start. I had restarted it several times since then, but not with the physical button. I was wondering if there is a way to get in to change files around without factory resetting it. If needed I will post my comps details later, but I don't think this is a hardware problem, and it would be fairly hard to get the info, what with not being able to get into my comp and all.
some new info i got was that when i first turn on the comp it says User Profile Service failed. I looked this up, and the suggestions were to open safe mode which was already established that i cant do.

If you can boot with a Win 7 or 8 and get into command prompt you should be able to replace the file with the old one. Should also be able to do it from a Live Linux disk.

Once you are in Windows and on the Start Screen, just type msconfig. Run that. Once it comes up go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode.

Should restart in safe mode. Not sure if you'll be able to replace your shell32.dll even in Safe Mode, but give it a try.

OldGuyGeek said:

Once you are in Windows and on the Start Screen, just type msconfig. Run that. Once it comes up go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode.

Should restart in safe mode. Not sure if you'll be able to replace your shell32.dll even in Safe Mode, but give it a try.

Click to expand...

Good advice on msconfig and safe mode but I don't think system files could be changed like that, even with another windows in dual boot.

CountMike said:

OldGuyGeek said:

Once you are in Windows and on the Start Screen, just type msconfig. Run that. Once it comes up go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode.

Should restart in safe mode. Not sure if you'll be able to replace your shell32.dll even in Safe Mode, but give it a try.

Click to expand...

Good advice on msconfig and safe mode but I don't think system files could be changed like that, even with another windows in dual boot.

Click to expand...

He's right. That's why I mentioned it probably couldn't replace the file. But I don't know how you replaced it in the first place. It's not a file you want to mess with. And I believe it's protected even at the command prompt level.

System File Checker may detect the 'changed' system32.dll. Just follow the instructions in this link and it could fix your system files:

Error: "Windows detected file system corruption on OS - Microsoft Community

OldGuyGeek said:

CountMike said:

OldGuyGeek said:

Once you are in Windows and on the Start Screen, just type msconfig. Run that. Once it comes up go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode.

Should restart in safe mode. Not sure if you'll be able to replace your shell32.dll even in Safe Mode, but give it a try.

Click to expand...

Good advice on msconfig and safe mode but I don't think system files could be changed like that, even with another windows in dual boot.

Click to expand...

He's right. That's why I mentioned it probably couldn't replace the file. But I don't know how you replaced it in the first place. It's not a file you want to mess with. And I believe it's protected even at the command prompt level.

System File Checker may detect the 'changed' system32.dll. Just follow the instructions in this link and it could fix your system files:

Error: "Windows detected file system corruption on OS - Microsoft Community

Click to expand...

I can't get to the start screen, as that would require logging in. the total of screens it is possible for me to get into are:
the windows boot screen
a black screen of transition
a "logging in screen"
the User Profile Service failure statement
a logging off screen
the idle log in screen with the (correct) time and date
the profile screen with my profile and guest selectable

the ease of access button does nothing, the guest profile gives me the same User Profile Service error, my profile gives the same if the correct password is entered and "the password is incorrect" if not, both taking about 20 minutes, and the power button on screen only refreshes the profile screen. other than that, a can do nothing. all of the suggestions ive seen deal with logging in to change some setting or other and i can't log in at all.

That's why I proposed doing it from a Linux live USB or CD. That way file could be replaced for sure but is that going to cure problems, I don't know. Linux does not care if a file is part of windows system or a picture.

CountMike said:

OldGuyGeek said:

Once you are in Windows and on the Start Screen, just type msconfig. Run that. Once it comes up go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode.

Should restart in safe mode. Not sure if you'll be able to replace your shell32.dll even in Safe Mode, but give it a try.

Click to expand...

Good advice on msconfig and safe mode but I don't think system files could be changed like that, even with another windows in dual boot.

Click to expand...

Please look at this post step 4 & 5 where we change/delete/copy files under C:\Windows\system32.
http://www.eightforums.com/user-acc...nt-win-8-1-update-how-restore.html#post389686

You cannot do in safe mode because you are in the current Windows Environment. However, if you boot up with Windows PE then you can change/delete/copy/rename anything.

All you need is to boot up with the installation disk. At the first screen, hold down SHIFT key and press F10, a command prompt will pop up. This command prompt is run under Windows PE as shown in the screen shot. No need to use Linux CD.



NOTE: make sure you use the correct drive Letter assigned to your Windows OS. In this case, ti's still C:

EDIT: if you don't have a Windows Installation disk, you can use any package that use Windows PE. Macrium Reflect Rescue disk is a better choice since it has the "This PC" & "Command Prompt" built in. You can download it here: Macrium WinPE .iso - OneDrive