Vista Tutorial - Vista can't get to desktop or safemode

I need help describing my problem. What is the name of the screen that you see with the various users listed as Vista Boots?


I need to know that because whatever the name of that screen is, it is the last screen I see, for about 5 or 10 seconds, before the computer I am working on shuts down and restarts.


I cannot get to the desktop (it reboots as soon as I try to click on a user and the word “Welcome” appears), I cannot start it safe mode (it reboots before it gets there), I cannot start it with automatic restart on system failure disabled– it just restarts so I do not see any bsods and error numbers . I cannot believe that Microsoft designed this OS so that it cannot be overlaid, (reinstalled over itself) without destroying users accounts and programs the way that XP could


I have cleaned a number of virus from the system and check the drives physical interity by scanning it with another computer. I have also found (and removed) one stick of bad memory. I have tried working with the Windows RE (Windows Recovery Environment) from the installation DVD. It runs through its startup recovery, it reports that Startup Repair could not detect any problems, yet when I the machine and then it reboots when it gets to whatever that screen is called.


I have done a clean install on an alternate drive and the machine seem run OK.


Can anyone help me?

I'm afraid I don't know enough about vista yet to help you, but I do know that the screen you are refering to is the logon screen.

Thanks, Cuisi, that makes sense.