Other than my wallpaper, nothing is showing up

C

chopsandgravy

Member
No desktop icons, no taskbar, not even my mouse is working when I start up windows normally.

I've performed system restore twice to no effect, and I cannot even get to my task manager when in normal mode. I'm allowed to go into safe mode(which is where i'm posting this from) and haven't been able to identify any problems that may be causing this.

Recently this computer has had to have it's hard drive replaced and even more recently we replaced it's motherboard, perhaps this is happening because of this?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

Yes, the cause can be any of those things, but lets start from step one.

If needed, in safe mode.
Run your anti virus

Download and scan with malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

If infected remove, if not post and then its step 2.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
richc46 said:
Yes, the cause can be any of those things, but lets start from step one.

If needed, in safe mode.
Run your anti virus

Download and scan with malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes

If infected remove, if not post and then its step 2.
Click to expand...

I downloaded malwarebytes and after 1 hour and 22 minutes of scanning, nothing has come up as infected. Do you think it's safe to say that this is not the problem?

I'll continue the scan anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

In a scan every file, etc is checked. The malware could be in the last one. So, just continue, but it does look good.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
richc46 said:
OK no problem, that was just step one. I am assuming that you bought the compter with Vista installed. If that is true follow these instructions to get to repair.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html
Click to expand...

I did all of this, but when I get into repair the screen stays completely black with only safe mode in all four corners, my mouse icon is up and can move around, but it certainly seems like a lot more should be happening as well.

It also seems like it isn't really going in to safe mode either, the mouse icons and windows icon at the begining aren't large and exaggerated like they are when you usually enter safe mode.
 

My Computer

System One

richc46 said:
OK no problem, that was just step one. I am assuming that you bought the compter with Vista installed. If that is true follow these instructions to get to repair.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html
Click to expand...

Also how is having Vista installed when the computer is bought relevant? it was but I am curious as to how it pertains to this situation.

Does it mean that I would be able to repair vista without a disc? i'm going to assume that that would just be wishful thinking(but I honestly don't know).

EDIT: I just saw that I do not have the repair your computer option at all, and that I was going into Directory services restore mode instead.

So i'm guessing that I need to go out and buy a retail Vista installation disc then? perhaps I lost the recovery partition when our hard drive was repaired back in June.

As you can tell I am sort of lost at the moment.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Sorry that did not work, I have another approach. I must tell you that from now on anything that we do will mean the loss of your documents, pictures, etc.

Give me the exact brand and model of your computer, we may be able to restore to factory specs. That is, like it was the day you brought it home. I must tell you now, it is sounding more and more like hardware problem, as you originally guessed.

Most computer manufacturers include a repair partition on the OS. That is what we were trying to get to. If you installed yourself that partition would not be there.

I am assuming that you did not get any repair DVD with the computer, if that is correct we may be able to access restore factory specs. But not if you have a computer, hardware problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
richc46 said:
Sorry that did not work, I have another approach. I must tell you that from now on anything that we do will mean the loss of your documents, pictures, etc.

Give me the exact brand and model of your computer, we may be able to restore to factory specs. That is, like it was the day you brought it home. I must tell you now, it is sounding more and more like hardware problem, as you originally guessed.

Most computer manufacturers include a repair partition on the OS. That is what we were trying to get to. If you installed yourself that partition would not be there.

I am assuming that you did not get any repair DVD with the computer, if that is correct we may be able to access restore factory specs. But not if you have a computer, hardware problem.
Click to expand...

Ah, and my greatest fear for this situation may have been realized(we've had way too many problems with this computers hardware since we've bought it a little over 2 years ago).

Anyway, my computer is a Gateway GM56E83, and unfortunately I did not receive a repair dvd with it, and I have enough of my files backed up in other places that I am comfortable with bringing my computer back to factory spec, and would love to know how.

But I may not do that right away, like you said this is more likely a hardware problem and I am going to get at least a second opinion, but if I can get instructions to the process of restoring it to factory spec from you I can decide to do that myself if I feel that it would be the best route to go later on.
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thats is why we are here. If I can be of any further help, just post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
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