Member Avatar for Jabari

Yes my problem started when I tried to download a new login screen. Well I did just that and then installed it then I had to reboot perfect so far. Now comes the moment of truth to see if the login screen will work nope nothing just a black screen no where to login in at. So I decided to reboot in safe mode I did that and it worked I logged in but I don't know how to reset the login screen or what file it would be stored in. I need to get it open I'm a student and my work is on my com and I can't get into it.

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A black screen after installing a custom XP logon skin while Safe Mode still allows login normally strongly points to the third‑party changer having hooked or replaced a Winlogon component (modified logonui.exe, installed a custom GINA DLL or added a startup hook). flagged those same possibilities, and correctly noted that backing up data and a reinstall is the safe fallback. The steps below prioritize safe data preservation and non‑destructive recovery before attempting a reinstall.

First priority: preserve work. Important folders are under C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\ (Desktop, My Documents, AppData). From Safe Mode attach an external USB drive or use a network share and copy those folders with Explorer or a command like:

xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\My Documents" E:\Backup /E /H /C /I
xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Desktop" E:\Backup\Desktop /E /H /C /I

Next, attempt targeted repairs while still in Safe Mode:

  • Uninstall the logon changer from Add/Remove Programs or run its uninstaller from Program Files if present. Look for leftover files or backups like logonui.bak in C:\Windows\System32.
  • Inspect the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. If a nonstandard value exists for the GinaDLL entry, removing/renaming it will return the system to the default MSGINA.DLL behavior (backup the registry before changing anything). Also check HKLM/HKCU...\Run for startup hooks and remove entries that launch the changer.
  • Restore replaced system files: run sfc /scannow (XP CD may be required), or use Recovery Console to expand originals from the CD, for example:
    expand D:\i386\logonui.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\logonui.exe

If those steps fail, use System Restore from Safe Mode to roll back to a pre‑installation point. If System Restore is unavailable or problems persist, a Repair Install or clean reinstall (as suggested) is the last reliable option. Each repair step carries risk—always back up data and export the registry before edits.

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Member Avatar for gerbil

K. Not a lot of detail there... Lessee, some logon changers alter boot.ini to start their logon screen, others replace the bitmaps in logonui.exe, some replace logonui, some just get called by a Run key.
So, what logon changer are you using?

Member Avatar for AndyOne

It might not be a good idea to go messing around the system32 files...especially if you're unsure of how to make and undo changes. Rather, I'd boot into safe mode, copy all data to DVD or flash drive, and reinstall windows. Your login screen won't be flashy, but it will work, and you will still have your files.

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