When i start my computer everything loads, but when i get to the windows welcome screen where the user name would be it is gone, i've tried ctrl+alt+del, and also have done a virus scan with norton ghost 14, and performed disk check. is there a way i can fix this without reinstalling xp?

click on start goto run and type"control userpasswords2" and enter. on general tab check"enter user name and password............." apply and ok and restart your system here u r.

I'm not able to log in, so i can't click on start. i've tried to boot in safe mode but i still have the same problem with no users showing up, and i can't log in

There is the option of doing a 'repair' install. It will not cause any loss of your data or programs, but all the MS updates will be lost. Repair install help

I am under the impression that when the welcome page comes up there is no users at all. Q1. Did you ever log in as an Administrator? If not try this. follow using this link brought to you by big brother Microsoft.. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=... scroll down to "More information" This should allow you to get into safe mode to the Admin account. thats if you have the pass word. but if you dont do the start up with the commamd prompt. type: "net user" without the quotes so it should look like this:- "C:\windows\documents and settings\admin>net user" all done without quotations marks. that command should give you a list of all users then at the command prompts end type: "net user administrator" this give you the ability to change the password to the admin login, go ahead and change the password. here is a video on how to change the pass word http://www.metacafe.com/watch/33174... Restart at the post press F8 and into safe mode as admin and use the password you created. next see if your users are still there by start control panel user accounts. If not create a new account with admin rights this way you can start the healing prosess. then take a few moment to refect what might have happened to the old account they might be hidden. let me know how thing turned out. I hope this helps. It all started with a giant bang!!! boom!!!