The problem was when logging into windows, it immediately logged off automatically. This was the same for each user account and even attempting to log in using Safe Mode.

This turned out to be due to userinit.exe not running correctly. A virus had hijacked the log in process, running its own executable instead of userinit.exe. A registry key referencing userinit.exe had been altered.

The solution is as follows:

The obvious difficulty is that I could not log on to the PC to access and edit the registry. To get around this a bootable CD such as Hiren Boot CD or BartPE is required.

To edit the registry of the PC  Boot int Windows PE or Minid XP on the device.
Once in Windows go to the command prompt and  type regedit.
Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
On the File menu, choose Load Hive.

A series of message boxes might appear that stating that the folder cannot be found and that the location is unavailable. Ignore any such messages and click OK when they appear.

The Load Hive dialog box will appear.
In the Files of type box, select All Files.
Navigate to the registry location on the local PC. Typically this is C:\WINDOWS\system32\config.

In this config folder, select the hive SOFTWARE and then click OK.
Back in the Load Hive dialog box type a Key Name, e.g., TEST_ITEM.

Choose HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and then choose the new reg key .

Browse to:
“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\TEST_ITEM\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon”

Look for a a key named “OldUserinit”, delete the “Userinit” key and rename the “OldUserinit” key to “Userinit”.

The “Userinit” key should be “C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe”.

Usually the problem is that this key is referencing an alternative exe which is causing this automatic log off.

Now clicke HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, go to the File menu, and then choose Unload Hive.

Reboot the PC. The log on process should work correctly. However a virus scan needs be run immediately. This is because the problem may reoccur at the next logon (This happened to me)

A scanner such as Combofix, Smitfruadfix and/or Malwarebytes should be used. Each of these can be found from a Google search.

After rebooting it is recommended to run an additional scan, perhaps with the installed Anti-Virus program.

I hope you too have Found a Fix!

To remove and replace the keyboard on some laptops can involve some work. Here is the procedure to remove the keyboard on a HP Pavillion DV6000.

To remove the keyboard there are a number of screws on the underside of the laptop that need to be released first.

Open the compartment for the RAM. This lid is secured with two screws.

Inside the battery compartment is a single screw that needs to be released. There is a keyboard logo beside this screw that identifies this.

Next remove the battery and inside the battery compartment are five screws that need to be undone.

There are three main ones in a row. These are are located as shown here. Unlike the other screws, they do not have the keyboard logo. This is because they secure a section of the bezel above the keyboard which needs to be released.

One on the left

One in the centre

One on the right

The remaining two have a keyboard logo beside them.

One is near the lower middle of the compartment, near the battery contacts

The other is to the lower right

Next turn over the laptop and the keyboard can be taken out.

Remove the section of the bezel above the top of the keyboard. Use a flathead screwdriver to lever this off. This must be done firmly, but not with too much force.

When this section is released, the keyboard can be lifted out.

This section of the bezel can be released, but it can not be lifted far s there are interface leads attached for the power switch and function keys. However this is enough to allow the keyboard to be lifted out

First lift the keyboard from the top side first like this:

Then it will pop out. Be careful as there is a ribbon interface to the main board, which should not be pulled or stressed

This ribbon interface is secured with a black wedge into a white socket

With the following step it is very important not to use too much force.

Either with your finger or a fine screw driver, slide the wedge out.  From the side carefully push this slightly one side…

….and then from the other side

It may be necessary to push alternately on each side, gradually pushing on each side in turn.

The ribbon will be released

When fitting a replacement keyboard, slide the ribbon over the wedge into the socket. Then the ribbon is secured by pushing the wedge back.

The ribbon needs to be precisely in place. If it goes in crooked or at an angle, the interface will not make proper contact and the the keyboard will not work.

Follow the procedure in reverse order to secure the keyboard and replace each of the screws on the reverse of the laptop.

If the keyboard does not work then the most likely cause is that the interface ribbon cable is not making contact or it is not secured properly. For this reason, you should boot up the laptop before re-assembling it fully. Put the battery back in and power it on. This may save a bit of work if the keyboard does not work for you at the first attempt.

1. Try Combofix. Disable whatever anti-virus you are currently running first and download here.
2. Visit http://safety.live.com and click on “Full Service Scan”. Follow the steps for a complete scan.
3. After this has completed, go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and Click on “Scan Now. It’s Free”. Again, follow the steps for complete scan and removal of threats.
4. From the control panel, Go to Add/Remove programs and remove any unnecessary programs. Look out for browser add-ins, search programs, free or demo software, shopping , advertising, toolbar extra’s, and so on. At the very least, this is good pc maintenance. If you have more than 1 ant-virus software, then remove at least one of them.
5. Download and run RogueRemover.
6. Download and Run SmitfraudFix
7. Download, Install and run CCleaner – This is a free tool for removing temporary files, cookies, history, and cleaning up registry problems. Run the Cleaner and then the registry fix.
8. Download, install and run Spybot – Search & Destroy –  Homepage is http://www.spybot.info
9. To analyse and remove items from your startup list,  download HijackThis to a temporary directory. This tool is a great way to see what programs are starting up when you pc logs in to windows. My advice here is to remove obvious entries but consult Google for a second opinion. Be careful with this tool as you can adversely affect genuine programs such as your ant-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the startup manager in CCleaner to simply disable the startup items.
10. If you do not have any anti-virus software, download AVG Free .

I hope you have Found A Fix!

On a Windows Vista laptop I found that CDs and DVDs were not picked up. When I opened ‘My Computer’, there was not CD or DVD drive listed at all!

My next check was to look in Device Manager an see if anything was listed there. The DVD drive was listed there but marked with an exclamation mark. Opening the entry it showed ‘Error Code 19′. A Google search soon gave me a solution:

Right click on the CD or DVD drive that has a yellow exclamation mark next to it and delete it.

For Vista click the windows “start” button on the bottom left and in the search box type regedit . (You might be asked for permission if UAC is enabled in Vista Just hit next or continue.)

This brings you to the Registry Editor. Browse to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

BE SURE you follow the path 100% There are many similar files and folders so double check they all match up.

Now that you are at the {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} Folder on the right side you will see several entries. Right Click and delete the Upperfilters and Lowerfilters. These will be recreated on the next reboot.

Once I rebooted it was all working fine.

My Computer kept getting the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). I needed to be able to analyse the windows minidump file to fully understand what was causing the computer to randomly reboot.

The solution and description to this error is set out below;

1. Download and install the http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/debugging/installx86.mspx debugging Tools from Microsoft.
2. Locate your latest memory.dmp file – for example; C:\WINDOWS\ Minidump\Mini081505-01.dmp or whatever
3. Open a CMD prompt and cd\program files\debugging tools for windows\
4. You should see the following; c:\program files\debugging tools>
5. Type the following:

Firstly

kd -z C:\WINDOWS\ Minidump\Mini081505-01.dmp(or replace with the path to your dump file)
(it will output loads of information)

Secondly

.logopen c:\debuglog.txt

Thirdly

.reload;!analyze -v;r;kv;lmnt;.logclose;q

You will now have a debuglog.txt in c:\, open it in notepad and read it carefully. I recommend looking out for PROCESS_NAME: X

You should type X into Google and find out what this process is related to. Whatever is causing the problem you should then install, remove, update, etc accordingly.

I would like to acknowledge the assistance and thank Techspot for their solution which can also be found here

I hope you too have Found A Fix!