unable to log on

we have a laptop that wont let us log on past the user name, when we enter our pass word..it goes into the logging off screen, [preparing to hibernate...?]
we have two users on it and both passwords are correct, it was working two days ago,

does it work in safe mode?

What operating system is it?

worto.

Assuming it does boot into safe mode, log on as Administrator and go to Control Panel, User Accounts , change account , and remove one of the passwords from one of the offending accounts and see if you can then log on normally. Kids haven't been messing with this have they ?

hi it wont go into safe mode, jusy hibernates.....

we dont have any young uns here at home.... its running windows xp

Does the power LED on the laptop illuminate to show that it is running on mains AC ?

Have you downloaed the Windows Validation tool by any chance when doiing windows updates. If it installs and runs and fins a dodgy copy of Windows it wont let you log on until you validate. I've had this a few times!

Hi as you cant get into windows you will need a antivirus boot disk, download this
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/downloads/2225692/f-secure-rescue-cd
The download is an ISO file that must be used to create a bootable CD. Copying the file onto a CD won't work so some extra software is required. I would use Active@ ISO burner here
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/downloads/2169254/active-iso-burner.
Also change the boot order on your own computer in the bios to boot from the cd dvdrom first put the rescue disk in and restart the computer follow the on screen prompts hopefully that will get you up and running again.

Once running,
1st thing to do is clear out all your temporary files, download and run:
ATF Cleaner
Just leave ‘Passwords’ unticked.

Then, click here:

and download Malwarebytes.

* Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
* At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to the following:

o Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
o Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

* Then click Finish .
· If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform Full scan , then click Scan.
* When the scan is complete, click OK , then Show Results to view the results.
* Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected .
* When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Reboot as required.

the power supply is fine,
we had a virus alert [wife tells me] she has gave it to her brother to have a play with ,as he works for the county counsel[sp] in there comp dept, will do some of the above stuff for my other pc...