Ok, I have been around the block a few times but have never ran across this one before. Just loaded a fresh copy of XP Professional SP2 on a 200gig HD. Every time I log in my Start Menu resets to the standard items. None of my applications or changes while using the computer stays for the next time.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cobrarr2003 :lol:

Dani AI

Generated

Summary and focused next steps (after followed and and verified a local ntuser.dat and created new admin accounts): the symptoms point to one of a few root causes beyond a missing profile — a temporary/mandatory profile being loaded, a local policy preventing saves, a third‑party “freeze”/management tool restoring a baseline at each boot, or profile/NTFS/registry corruption. The checks below are targeted and safe if done with the advised backups.

Check Event Viewer and the ProfileList registry (backup registry first)

  • Open Event Viewer: eventvwr.msc and scan System/Application logs at the time of logon for “User Profile Service” or profile-related errors.
  • Inspect:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

    Look for S‑1‑5‑... keys whose ProfileImagePath points to the correct folder. If there is a duplicate key ending in .bak or a key that forces a temporary profile, the usual repair is to rename/remove the .bak key and set RefCount and State to 0 (always export the branch before changing it).

Rule out policy or a “freeze” utility

  • Run gpedit.msc (XP Pro) → User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar to check for policies like “Prevent changes to Taskbar and Start Menu” or similar restrictions.
  • Do a clean boot (msconfig: Hide Microsoft services → disable remaining non‑MS services/startup items) and reboot, or boot Safe Mode and make a small change. If changes persist in Safe Mode or after a clean boot, a startup service or third‑party product (Deep Freeze / SteadyState / similar) is likely reverting the system.

Remediation checklist

  • Verify NTFS permissions on C:\Documents and Settings\<user> so the account can write.
  • If profile keys are corrupted, after backing up the registry perform the .bak edit or create a fresh local user, copy personal data (avoid copying ntuser.*), and set correct permissions.
  • Run chkdsk /f and sfc /scannow to rule out disk or system‑file issues.

Note: edits to the registry and profile folders can make a profile unusable if done incorrectly — always export registry keys and back up user data first.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Sounds like a profile problem to me. Check your profiles (right-click my computer, properties, advanced, users and profiles), once there make sure all your users have their own profiles with the type being local and the status local. Are you on a domain or network?

Sounds like a profile problem to me. Check your profiles (right-click my computer, properties, advanced, users and profiles), once there make sure all your users have their own profiles with the type being local and the status local. Are you on a domain or network?

Per your recommendation there is one profile listed, I am not on any network or remote domains. I checked the System, Advanced, User Profiles and the type is local. No changes were made just inquires. Thanks..

Create a new profile and see if that happens in there as well. Usually that sounds like a mandatory profile to me.

I created two Admin accounts and deleted the original one that came with the PC. The same problem still exist. The Start Menu pops up when the PC boots up just like a new installation. Hope that helps. FYI, when I first powered up the PC the software did not go through a set-up process. It went straight into windows.

FYI, when I first powered up the PC the software did
not go through a set-up process. It went straight into windows.

What do you mean by that? You said in your post that you just loaded Windows.

Go in Control Panel, Folder Options, click on View on the top and put a dot in "Show hidden files and folders" and take the checkmark out of "Hide protected OS files" and "Hide extension for known file types". Apply the settings and click apply to all folders.

Click on Start, choose Run and execute: %userprofile% . Look for a file called ntuser. Verify if the extension is .dat or .man .

The profile has a ntuser.dat file, it is 2.25mb with a current date.

What I meant on the boot up process, after loading windows generally you get a blue screen that runs you through some prompts and then states you have finished loading windows xp and then you go to a screen that runs xp tour. I did not get the blue screen just went straight to the OS with the Start Menu popped up and xp tour on the screen. Each time I boot up the Start Menu pops up and resets to the default icons. My changes are not saved.

Create a new user profile. Let's see if the same things happens for the other user.

The profile has a ntuser.dat file, it is 2.25mb with a current date.

What I meant on the boot up process, after loading windows generally you get a blue screen that runs you through some prompts and then states you have finished loading windows xp and then you go to a screen that runs xp tour. I did not get the blue screen just went straight to the OS with the Start Menu popped up and xp tour on the screen. Each time I boot up the Start Menu pops up and resets to the default icons. My changes are not saved.

Sounds to me like you are install windows each time you boot your computer ,don't run setup every time you boot computer

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