don't know if it works the same with Vista, but with LogonStudio XP... ctrl+alt+del twice (at the blank screen where the logon should be) gives uou the MS Default logon screen

maybe boot to safe mode, open LSVista, set to default logon?

was the logon that went black downloaded or one you created?

common error is corrupted file (or 'renamed' graphic - such as background.png -> background.bmp when you actually need to open in a graphics program and do a 'save as')

sometimes video drivers if it happens after updating

but usually the file

file can also corrupt if it was manually adjusted using the uifile and you open in in 'edit' in LS

for XP that would be the ctrl+alt+del 2 times

checking posts for vista.....

I'm finding nothing here...

except logonstudio error message due to a 'skins' folder

google has a few, but it's black screen after logged in - have to manually start explore.exe

pc or laptop?

do you get the 1st startup screen?

can't get into safe mode?  F8 or F12?

running bootskinPro?

Its  a PC desktop.  I get the first start up screen fine.  Once the cursor comes up I can hit shift 5 times and get the sticky windows box.  CTRL ALT DEL does nothing.   Safe mode boots up and I get the same black screen with a bigger mouse pointer.  This isnt a hardware issue.  I have had the same setup for a couple of years now without a problem, and havent added any hardware to the machine.

Last none configuration does the same thing.  What hardware would cause that?  Cause I am not having any hardware issues.  I will start removing hardware components and see if that makes a difference.

Sounds like corrupted resources inside the logon dlls. If you have only one account, you can just type the password and press enter and it will log you on. If you have multiple accounts try clicking where their icons should be on screen and then type your password.

If that doesn't work, get your vista dvd and boot from it. Then go to repair mode and start a console.

1. Go to "C:\Windows\System32".
2. Type "xcopy imageres.dll imageres.dll.backup"
3. Go to "C:\ProgramData\Stardock\LogonStudio Vista". There should be an imageres.dll file somewhere inside that folder.
4. Type "xcopy imageres.dll c:\windows\system32\imageres.dll"

That should restore your default logon and you should be able to see the logon screen now. In case that makes the problem worse, just boot from the dvd again and restore from the backup we made.