As per the title. Looks as if everything is working fine but there is no internet connection and although the icons are all there none of them respond to mouse clicks. Several items are missing from the system tray - Norton 360 and printer for example so obviously some programmes aren't launching properly. I have gone into safe mode and used system restore to an earlier date and everything works fine then. Switch off and try to reboot and it's back to the original problem. Is it the registry, bad sector, start up programme faulty? I don't know where to start looking!
Won't go past initial desktop screen
- Thread starter Michele
- Start date
Allan D
Vista Guru
Hello Michele,
Welcome to the forum. I would request you to help me with few details in order to assist you further:
Welcome to the forum. I would request you to help me with few details in order to assist you further:
- Since when are you facing the issue?
- Were there any recent hardware or software changes made on the system?
- What are the external devices connected to the system?
- What is the make and model of the said computer?
- Releasing the residual power from the system.
Disconnect all the external peripherals from the computer including the battery and the ac adapter and release the residual power by pressing and holding the power button for 5 to 10 seconds. Turn on the computer and check. - Disconnect all the external peripherals and check if the system is still restarting.
- As you have said that you tried system restore from safe mode, I would request you to check if you are able to operate the system in safe mode.
To boot into safe mode, restart the computer and keep tapping F8. From the Advanced Boot Option, select Safe Mode and hit Enter.
My Computer
Hi there,
Thanks for offering to help, much appreciated!
Problem first occurred about 5 days ago.
No new hardware or software installed
Should say it's a desktop, not a laptop so no a/c adaptor or battery. peripherals are scanner, printer and BT homehub for Broadband. The machine is a Sony VAIO
Yes, I can operate the system from safe mode and networking is available
Thanks for offering to help, much appreciated!
Problem first occurred about 5 days ago.
No new hardware or software installed
Should say it's a desktop, not a laptop so no a/c adaptor or battery. peripherals are scanner, printer and BT homehub for Broadband. The machine is a Sony VAIO
Yes, I can operate the system from safe mode and networking is available
My Computer
I'm not sure what you're saying. If you run system restore from safe mode, it should boot into Windows normally and then tell you when it's restored. If it's going back to the problem just by restarting, then I suggest you do a full system scan for viruses and run Malwarebytes for malware.
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
- Manufacturer/Model
- Cyberpower
- CPU
- Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
- Motherboard
- NVIDIA 780i
- Memory
- 4 GB
- Graphics Card(s)
- MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
- Sound Card
- Sound Blaster SB Audigy
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Viewsonic VG2436
- Screen Resolution
- 1920x1080p
- Hard Drives
- Samsung HD 105SI
WDC WD20
- Case
- Apevia XJupiter
- Cooling
- air
- Keyboard
- Logitech MX 3200
- Mouse
- Logitech MX 600
- Internet Speed
- 30 Mbps
Allan D
Vista Guru
Hello Michele,
In addition to what Wither 3 has said, I would suggest running a VAIO Hardware Diagnostics utility to diagnose hardware issues using the VAIO Care software.
**NOTE: If you are not able to start the operating system, hardware diagnostics for the CPU and hard disc drive are available after booting the computer using the F10 key or Recovery Discs.
Please try the steps and write back with results.
In addition to what Wither 3 has said, I would suggest running a VAIO Hardware Diagnostics utility to diagnose hardware issues using the VAIO Care software.
**NOTE: If you are not able to start the operating system, hardware diagnostics for the CPU and hard disc drive are available after booting the computer using the F10 key or Recovery Discs.
Please try the steps and write back with results.
My Computer
Hi again,
Thanks for your posts. Sorry to have been confusing. If I go into safe mode and system restore to an earlier date everything works fine. It's only if I want to turn off the machine that I have a problem. when it restarts all I get is the stuck at desktop problem so I'm guessing that something is corrupting the registry either on shut down or at start up. I've done most of the tests you recommend - sfc/scannow, check disk, I've done a Norton full system scan, Windows memory diagnostic, full defrag and registry optimise and all seems fine. Yesterday I decided to uninstall and then reinstall my Norton 360 since I have known that to cause registry problems before. Everything is certainly working more smoothly now so maybe that has resolved the problem although I haven't actually been brave enough to shut the machine down and restart. (Been at work and too busy to fiddle with it if it didn't work!) I'll let you know what happens but thanks a lot for your help so far.
Thanks for your posts. Sorry to have been confusing. If I go into safe mode and system restore to an earlier date everything works fine. It's only if I want to turn off the machine that I have a problem. when it restarts all I get is the stuck at desktop problem so I'm guessing that something is corrupting the registry either on shut down or at start up. I've done most of the tests you recommend - sfc/scannow, check disk, I've done a Norton full system scan, Windows memory diagnostic, full defrag and registry optimise and all seems fine. Yesterday I decided to uninstall and then reinstall my Norton 360 since I have known that to cause registry problems before. Everything is certainly working more smoothly now so maybe that has resolved the problem although I haven't actually been brave enough to shut the machine down and restart. (Been at work and too busy to fiddle with it if it didn't work!) I'll let you know what happens but thanks a lot for your help so far.
My Computer
Well, I've braved restarting the PC and it seems to be okay so I can only assume it was Norton that caused the problem. I did run Malwarebytes but that didn't find anything. Quick question - do I need something like Malwarebytes in addition to Norton 360 or should the latter pick up everything? (When it's not busy messing up my registry that is!)
Thanks a lot for all your advice
Michele
Thanks a lot for all your advice
Michele
My Computer
Welcome
Norton checks primarily for virus, and Malwarebytes checks primarily for malware, which by definition is a bit different than a Virus. You can and should use both. I was so impressed by Malwarebytes that I use the pay version, but that is not necessary. If you use Norton in conjunction with Malwarebytes (free version)you will be able to surf the net a lot safer.
Many members here use Microsoft Security Essentials, in Lieu of Norton. Essentials is made specifically for Windows and very rarely causes problems and is free.
Good luck.
Norton checks primarily for virus, and Malwarebytes checks primarily for malware, which by definition is a bit different than a Virus. You can and should use both. I was so impressed by Malwarebytes that I use the pay version, but that is not necessary. If you use Norton in conjunction with Malwarebytes (free version)you will be able to surf the net a lot safer.
Many members here use Microsoft Security Essentials, in Lieu of Norton. Essentials is made specifically for Windows and very rarely causes problems and is free.
Good luck.
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
Allan D
Vista Guru
Hello Michele,
Really glad to know that the issue was fixed. I would also agree with Richard, that if you use Norton in conjunction with Malwarebytes you computer would be safe.
Please feel free to write back to the forum if you need any further assistance.
Really glad to know that the issue was fixed. I would also agree with Richard, that if you use Norton in conjunction with Malwarebytes you computer would be safe.
Please feel free to write back to the forum if you need any further assistance.
My Computer
Thank you Richc46 - I will certainly use the Microsoft Security Esentials when my Norton sunscription expires. It has caused me a few problems in the past and it's not cheap!
My Computer
Michele,
May I suggest, that because MSE is free, make the change now, before you have additional problems. It will cost you nothing. The money for Norton is gone regardless of what you do. In addition, make a system restore before doing anything and if you want to go back to Norton, everything will be back the way it was in a few seconds.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html
May I suggest, that because MSE is free, make the change now, before you have additional problems. It will cost you nothing. The money for Norton is gone regardless of what you do. In addition, make a system restore before doing anything and if you want to go back to Norton, everything will be back the way it was in a few seconds.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html
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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