Disabled and Reenabled UAC for Spybot. Can't Log in!

Hello everyone. Vista happened to somehow screw up the profile log-in system on my Studio XPS 16. I wanted to disable user access controls (UAC) because Spybot:Search and Destroy suggested it was necessary to immunize my laptop from spyware and malware more effectively. When I disabled the UAC and restarted my computer, I was able to log in. However, I noticed that the recycling bin icon returned on my Dell Dock and my gaming folder was missing from my desktop. Thus, I re-enabled the UAC, restarted the computer again, and hoped that everything would normalize. Nope, I am now no longer able to log into my profile. Can someone please help me! I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

 

Odd that you can't relog into your profile.

You were able to log into it the first time, but the desktop looked different?

It sounds like your profile was reset. If you could input your username and password, then you can log into your profile.

But when you talked about the desktop looking different, I suspect your profile was reset for some reason. The only time I've seen this happen is when you disconnect from a domain, your domain account is reverted to a local account....

I've never seen this happen to a UAC switch over.

Whenever Windows resets a profile like this, it creates a new set of user folders. Look under C:\users. If it did reset your profile, there will be another set of user folders with the profile name on it. Look under that Profile/Desktop.

 

I would personally remove Spybot search and destroy, first and asap , and hope that I get back to my original state.

cheers ...

 

System Restore.

 

I'm with swarmer...I think...depends on how you define "log in"

Reboot into safemode--if spybot messed with your gina you may still be able to log in that way and run a system restore.

If you cannot log in, grab a Vista Recovery CD image, burn it, and run restore from that.

Download from here:

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

 

When I start up the laptop, everything comes up normally. First, the Dell symbol appears on the screen, along with the F2 and F12 functions. Next, the loading meter comes up on screen. Last, the Windows Vista symbol and ring is heard. Now, the profile selection screen comes up. Antonio is the administrator profile that I use. There are two other profiles, Martha and Tony, that were created using data off of my old laptop via the XP/Vista data transfer program. However, I can't log into them because a password reset is requested. Ironically, when either of these two profiles were on my old laptop, I never used a username and password to login.

 

I don't think you need to be able to log in to do system restore.... Press F8 at bootup (after Dell splash screen but before the Windows stuff comes on the screen) and System Restore from there.

 

The sad part is my mom had called a Dell software representative while I was out for dinner a few hours ago to solve this problem. If this was all I had to do in order to log in normally, my mom would have saved $240. She purchased a 1 year software warranty from Dell after the representative charged for her services.

 

You have a loving and caring Mom.

Chalk it down as a learning experience. Always create a restore point before installing any new drivers/software. And not all software works for everyone.

cheers ...

 

Thank you very much for all of your help! From now on, I will remember to create a restore point before installing unfamiliar drivers/software.