Vista - Neophyte Vista woes

Hello,

I've been using Vista since 01/2008 without any issues. Now I have a melt down of sorts.

My computer is an HP Pavilion dv6775us laptop with Vista Home Edition 32bit.

I was doing my standard evening email check when I clicked on a hyperlink to check UPS shipping on a recent online purchase and my mouse (PS/2 touchpad on laptop) froze up. Ctrl-alt-del doesn't work either. So I hard restart. Here is the sequence of events that followed:

Restart normal --> mouse won't work, ctrl-alt-del won't work. hard restart

Restart safe mode --> mouse works, everything seems normal. restart

Restart normal --> mouse won't work, ctrl-alt-del won't work, screen shifts to black with cursor. hard restart

Restart safe mode --> mouse works, system restore. restart

Restart normal --> mouse works for a minute or so. system locks up. shut down.

I tried to uninstall software, but Vista safe mode doesn't allow it. I tried accessing the internet via safe mode + networking, no love. The mouse and keyboard work fine in safe mode, but only 1-2 inputs in regular mode before freezing up.

What are my options besides a Vista reinstall (can't as I'm working offsite on assignment, no Vista CD's).

Thanks,

David

You know, sometimes it's just best to consult HP support and/or Microsoft support when you have this kind of a problem. It sounds like you've done all the right things. . . Now it might be best to see what the pros advise (those who are most likely responsible for the problem, and are most likely to be familiar with them).

Can't as I'm on assignment in S. Korea and I only have internet access for one PC. Right now I'm using my work machine (crap).

So aside from giving up and waiting 2.5 months 'til I'm stateside, what are my options?

A bit more info. The mouse is fine until I use the buttons. Keyboard works for about 3 keystrokes. If I use ctrl-alt-del the hourglass cursor shows up and then the screen goes black with only a cursor showing. The cursor moves, but that's about it. Also I cannot uninstall software in safe mode. My guess is this is some sorta virus.

I tried to run AVAST via Win RE, but I can't seem to get the Mozilla executible file to run.

Remove Virus without Booting into Windows Vista

This problem doesn't keep me from doing anything serious, but I'd like to get the problem resolved.'

David

How fast is your internet connection? This might be your golden opportunity to put W7 32 bit RC on?

The other thing is though, you might have a hardware problem. Maybe whatever locks up isn't in use in safe mode. Many times if you have a bad component, it will work until it heats up a bit... then lockup.

Not sure as it's all in Hangul (Korean).

I was considering a Windows 7 32bit install, but I want to fix this issue first. I see it as a challenge. Not to mention I'm learning a lot about troubleshooting a computer.

I just got the Windows Installer to work in safe mode. Now I need to get rid of Symantec and run AVAST. Figuring that out is my next task.

David

When you boot in safe mode do you use the safe mode without network support? I'm wondering because one of the few things that ever hard locked my computer was a bad network card. The first thing to determine in any diagnostics is the hardware/software divide. Otherwise you can waste a lot of time.

It was a software issue as I was able to uninstall a bunch of software (Office '07, iTunes, Vongo, etc.) and my computer is working fine. Fine except for the network connection. I need to read through the forum for solutions.

Thanks for the help. This forum was critical in showing me how to fix my computer.

David