Vista - After install, desktop is unusable

I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1 gb,
200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to a
normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I click
on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press ctrl-alt-del,
I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the task
list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.

ikmattie,
Utrecht, Netherlands

I've found the answer in another thread from user: wpcoe

Boot Into Safe Mode (scleary F8 - with networking)
Run MsConfig
Under Services tab - Disable Themes
Reboot
Installed BETA2 Drivers For My Video Card (Scleary: I used ATI web site)
ReBoot
Enable Themes Service
ReBoot
Tada...


"Ikmattie" wrote:

> I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1 gb,
> 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to a
> normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
> triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I click
> on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
> working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press ctrl-alt-del,
> I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the task
> list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
> I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>
> ikmattie,
> Utrecht, Netherlands
>

Ikmattie wrote:

> I've found the answer in another thread from user: wpcoe
>
> Boot Into Safe Mode (scleary F8 - with networking)
> Run MsConfig
> Under Services tab - Disable Themes
> Reboot
> Installed BETA2 Drivers For My Video Card (Scleary: I used ATI web site)
> ReBoot
> Enable Themes Service
> ReBoot
> Tada...
>
>
> "Ikmattie" wrote:
>
>
>>I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1 gb,
>>200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to a
>>normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
>>triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I click
>>on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
>>working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press ctrl-alt-del,
>>I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the task
>>list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
>>I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>>
>>ikmattie,
>>Utrecht, Netherlands
>>

Is this normal behavior? I don't have my Vista test machine yet, but in
my (limited) experience of installing Windows OS's, if you are missing
video driver then the OS runs in VGA mode and you can install the
drivers from there.

David Wilkinson

I think Windows thinks (a lot of thinking here) that it's running completely
normal, but the videocard can't handle the themes appearantly
(it's working fine when I press ctrl-alt-del), so it doesn't switch to VGA
modus
>
> Is this normal behavior? I don't have my Vista test machine yet, but in
> my (limited) experience of installing Windows OS's, if you are missing
> video driver then the OS runs in VGA mode and you can install the
> drivers from there.
>
> David Wilkinson
>

Ikmattie--

I am recommending to try the F8 advanced options first, which means to try
each listing on the menu Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode
with Command, and then Last Known Good last there. One may work if another
does not. The first 3 or used as a vehicle to do a system restore. If you
cannot use these, try Last Known Good Configuration.

I don't use Safe Mode VGA for this. I have put every KB that contexts these
options here for you to look at if you need to.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...r/default.mspx

Follow this if you need to, but again I'm betting heavily on the first five
options I just gave you:

Running Vista under Virtual Server
http://blogs.msdn.com/mikekol/archiv...11/511810.aspx

"There's no greater high than using an unreleased operating system on a
computer that doesn't exist"

***Your first five options****
These options to recover in Vista are similar to XP although System Restore
is based on a system now from server technology.

1) I'd use the F8 options including the 3 safe modes (I'm omitting VGA for
this purpose) to try to system restore and I would use Last Known Good if
they don't work. I say 3 because sometimes one works when another will not.
If you use safe mode command, the command for system restore is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

This approach in Vista is the same as in XP and is based on Chapter 28 of
the XP resource kit and will soon be adapted to the Vista Resource Kit. The
MSKB that outlines this is here--yes it has XP in the title but these
options are available in Vista and I want you to try them first:

Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP [and Vista]

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

For Anxillary Reference in Vista: System recovery and reliability for IT
Pros
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...a3fc41033.mspx

What to Do if Windows Vista Won't Start Correctly
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...8b3551033.mspx

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/


How to Use System Restore from a Command Prompt
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736/en-us

How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
feature in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/en-us


2) If these 4 options don't work, you can try a new way to fix Vista, called
Startup Repair which is part of a platform in Vista called Windows Repair
Environment or Win RE.

I'm going to tell you what it can do>going to give you the step by step>
and you have no downside for trying it.

What It Can Do:

If you run Win RE's Startup Repair in Vista, it will try to check and repair
the following and we're taking about under three minutes usually when it
works which is often: (this is not a complete list but a list of major tasks
it can perform):

Registry Corruptions

Missing/corrupt driver files (you don't have to guess here--it looks at all
of them

Missing/corrupt system files (disabled in Beta 2 as is System File Checker
but present newer builds)

Incompatible Driver Installation

Incompatible OS update installations

Startup Repair may offer a dialogue box to use System restore.

How to Use Startup Repair:

Startup Repair: frequently asked questions
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui...4/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img...SysRecOpt2.bmp

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
________________________________________________

Good luck,

CH


"Ikmattie" <Ikmattie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:87F45255-0815-4A0A-B60D-BA96D5F20531@microsoft.com...
> I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1
> gb,
> 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to
> a
> normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
> triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I
> click
> on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
> working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press
> ctrl-alt-del,
> I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the
> task
> list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
> I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>
> ikmattie,
> Utrecht, Netherlands
>

That's a valid point but from the description, David, I'm not sure that only
the Vid Driver corruption is the only problem. It could also be tested (but
I find this academic and rarely do it from Safe Mode if he/she could get
into SM on that box). I enjoyed your discusions on the MBR--they're making
me reach from vocab but it's good stuff and good links.

Thanks,

CH


"David Wilkinson" <no-reply@effisols.com> wrote in message
news:uYAkqRjuGHA.4972@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Ikmattie wrote:
>
>> I've found the answer in another thread from user: wpcoe
>>
>> Boot Into Safe Mode (scleary F8 - with networking)
>> Run MsConfig Under Services tab - Disable Themes Reboot
>> Installed BETA2 Drivers For My Video Card (Scleary: I used ATI web site)
>> ReBoot Enable Themes Service ReBoot Tada... "Ikmattie" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1
>>>gb, 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I
>>>get to a normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only
>>>with grey triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever,
>>>when I click on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening,
>>>so, windows is working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I
>>>press ctrl-alt-del, I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch
>>>user and look at the task list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen
>>>again).
>>>I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>>>
>>>ikmattie,
>>>Utrecht, Netherlands
>>>
>
> Is this normal behavior? I don't have my Vista test machine yet, but in my
> (limited) experience of installing Windows OS's, if you are missing video
> driver then the OS runs in VGA mode and you can install the drivers from
> there.
>
> David Wilkinson

I meant to say, commonly if his/her Vid Driver were corrupted, you'd expect
it to look like a distorted and enlarged Safe Mode screen, but I'm sure a
number of variations could be possible including the artifacts described.
This is a description of Explorer shell damage to me, or at least the
explorer shell is not starting normally:

"...but then my desktop appears, only with grey triangles and rectangles,
no cursor, no start-bar or whatever,"

CH


"David Wilkinson" <no-reply@effisols.com> wrote in message
news:uYAkqRjuGHA.4972@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Ikmattie wrote:
>
>> I've found the answer in another thread from user: wpcoe
>>
>> Boot Into Safe Mode (scleary F8 - with networking)
>> Run MsConfig Under Services tab - Disable Themes Reboot
>> Installed BETA2 Drivers For My Video Card (Scleary: I used ATI web site)
>> ReBoot Enable Themes Service ReBoot Tada... "Ikmattie" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1
>>>gb, 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I
>>>get to a normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only
>>>with grey triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever,
>>>when I click on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening,
>>>so, windows is working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I
>>>press ctrl-alt-del, I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch
>>>user and look at the task list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen
>>>again).
>>>I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>>>
>>>ikmattie,
>>>Utrecht, Netherlands
>>>
>
> Is this normal behavior? I don't have my Vista test machine yet, but in my
> (limited) experience of installing Windows OS's, if you are missing video
> driver then the OS runs in VGA mode and you can install the drivers from
> there.
>
> David Wilkinson

Thanks for your help,
but i've used the solution I posted Yesterday.
It works perfectly, just startup in safemode, unload 'themes', restart,
install drivers for X1300, restart, load 'themes', restart, problem solved!

"Chad Harris" wrote:

> Ikmattie--
>
> I am recommending to try the F8 advanced options first, which means to try
> each listing on the menu Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode
> with Command, and then Last Known Good last there. One may work if another
> does not. The first 3 or used as a vehicle to do a system restore. If you
> cannot use these, try Last Known Good Configuration.
>
> I don't use Safe Mode VGA for this. I have put every KB that contexts these
> options here for you to look at if you need to.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...r/default.mspx
>
> Follow this if you need to, but again I'm betting heavily on the first five
> options I just gave you:
>
> Running Vista under Virtual Server
> http://blogs.msdn.com/mikekol/archiv...11/511810.aspx
>
> "There's no greater high than using an unreleased operating system on a
> computer that doesn't exist"
>
> ***Your first five options****
> These options to recover in Vista are similar to XP although System Restore
> is based on a system now from server technology.
>
> 1) I'd use the F8 options including the 3 safe modes (I'm omitting VGA for
> this purpose) to try to system restore and I would use Last Known Good if
> they don't work. I say 3 because sometimes one works when another will not.
> If you use safe mode command, the command for system restore is:
>
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
>
> This approach in Vista is the same as in XP and is based on Chapter 28 of
> the XP resource kit and will soon be adapted to the Vista Resource Kit. The
> MSKB that outlines this is here--yes it has XP in the title but these
> options are available in Vista and I want you to try them first:
>
> Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP [and Vista]
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
>
> For Anxillary Reference in Vista: System recovery and reliability for IT
> Pros
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...a3fc41033.mspx
>
> What to Do if Windows Vista Won't Start Correctly
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...8b3551033.mspx
>
> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>
>
> How to Use System Restore from a Command Prompt
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736/en-us
>
> How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
> feature in Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/en-us
>
>
> 2) If these 4 options don't work, you can try a new way to fix Vista, called
> Startup Repair which is part of a platform in Vista called Windows Repair
> Environment or Win RE.
>
> I'm going to tell you what it can do>going to give you the step by step>
> and you have no downside for trying it.
>
> What It Can Do:
>
> If you run Win RE's Startup Repair in Vista, it will try to check and repair
> the following and we're taking about under three minutes usually when it
> works which is often: (this is not a complete list but a list of major tasks
> it can perform):
>
> Registry Corruptions
>
> Missing/corrupt driver files (you don't have to guess here--it looks at all
> of them
>
> Missing/corrupt system files (disabled in Beta 2 as is System File Checker
> but present newer builds)
>
> Incompatible Driver Installation
>
> Incompatible OS update installations
>
> Startup Repair may offer a dialogue box to use System restore.
>
> How to Use Startup Repair:
>
> Startup Repair: frequently asked questions
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx
>
> ***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***
>
> 1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)
>
> 2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
> lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***
>
> Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
> http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui...4/500x375.aspx
>
> Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
> http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img...SysRecOpt2.bmp
>
> 3) Select your OS for repair.
>
> 4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
> theWin RE feature:
>
> You'll have a choice there of using:
>
> 1) Startup Repair
> 2) System Restore
> 3) Complete PC Restore
> ________________________________________________
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
> "Ikmattie" <Ikmattie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:87F45255-0815-4A0A-B60D-BA96D5F20531@microsoft.com...
> > I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1
> > gb,
> > 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to
> > a
> > normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
> > triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I
> > click
> > on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
> > working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press
> > ctrl-alt-del,
> > I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the
> > task
> > list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
> > I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
> >
> > ikmattie,
> > Utrecht, Netherlands
> >
>
>
>

Thanks for making that clear. From your first post, I wasn't sure what you
had done.

CH

"Ikmattie" <Ikmattie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4AFCD015-F6D8-46FF-B4F7-3CD0992C79B6@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for your help,
> but i've used the solution I posted Yesterday.
> It works perfectly, just startup in safemode, unload 'themes', restart,
> install drivers for X1300, restart, load 'themes', restart, problem
> solved!
>
> "Chad Harris" wrote:
>
>> Ikmattie--
>>
>> I am recommending to try the F8 advanced options first, which means to
>> try
>> each listing on the menu Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode
>> with Command, and then Last Known Good last there. One may work if
>> another
>> does not. The first 3 or used as a vehicle to do a system restore. If
>> you
>> cannot use these, try Last Known Good Configuration.
>>
>> I don't use Safe Mode VGA for this. I have put every KB that contexts
>> these
>> options here for you to look at if you need to.
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...r/default.mspx
>>
>> Follow this if you need to, but again I'm betting heavily on the first
>> five
>> options I just gave you:
>>
>> Running Vista under Virtual Server
>> http://blogs.msdn.com/mikekol/archiv...11/511810.aspx
>>
>> "There's no greater high than using an unreleased operating system on a
>> computer that doesn't exist"
>>
>> ***Your first five options****
>> These options to recover in Vista are similar to XP although System
>> Restore
>> is based on a system now from server technology.
>>
>> 1) I'd use the F8 options including the 3 safe modes (I'm omitting VGA
>> for
>> this purpose) to try to system restore and I would use Last Known Good
>> if
>> they don't work. I say 3 because sometimes one works when another will
>> not.
>> If you use safe mode command, the command for system restore is:
>>
>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
>>
>> This approach in Vista is the same as in XP and is based on Chapter 28 of
>> the XP resource kit and will soon be adapted to the Vista Resource Kit.
>> The
>> MSKB that outlines this is here--yes it has XP in the title but these
>> options are available in Vista and I want you to try them first:
>>
>> Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP [and Vista]
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
>>
>> For Anxillary Reference in Vista: System recovery and reliability for IT
>> Pros
>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...a3fc41033.mspx
>>
>> What to Do if Windows Vista Won't Start Correctly
>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...8b3551033.mspx
>>
>> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>>
>>
>> How to Use System Restore from a Command Prompt
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736/en-us
>>
>> How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
>> feature in Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/en-us
>>
>>
>> 2) If these 4 options don't work, you can try a new way to fix Vista,
>> called
>> Startup Repair which is part of a platform in Vista called Windows Repair
>> Environment or Win RE.
>>
>> I'm going to tell you what it can do>going to give you the step by step>
>> and you have no downside for trying it.
>>
>> What It Can Do:
>>
>> If you run Win RE's Startup Repair in Vista, it will try to check and
>> repair
>> the following and we're taking about under three minutes usually when it
>> works which is often: (this is not a complete list but a list of major
>> tasks
>> it can perform):
>>
>> Registry Corruptions
>>
>> Missing/corrupt driver files (you don't have to guess here--it looks at
>> all
>> of them
>>
>> Missing/corrupt system files (disabled in Beta 2 as is System File
>> Checker
>> but present newer builds)
>>
>> Incompatible Driver Installation
>>
>> Incompatible OS update installations
>>
>> Startup Repair may offer a dialogue box to use System restore.
>>
>> How to Use Startup Repair:
>>
>> Startup Repair: frequently asked questions
>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx
>>
>> ***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***
>>
>> 1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)
>>
>> 2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in
>> the
>> lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***
>>
>> Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
>> http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui...4/500x375.aspx
>>
>> Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
>> http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img...SysRecOpt2.bmp
>>
>> 3) Select your OS for repair.
>>
>> 4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
>> theWin RE feature:
>>
>> You'll have a choice there of using:
>>
>> 1) Startup Repair
>> 2) System Restore
>> 3) Complete PC Restore
>> ________________________________________________
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> CH
>>
>>
>> "Ikmattie" <Ikmattie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:87F45255-0815-4A0A-B60D-BA96D5F20531@microsoft.com...
>> > I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+,
>> > 1
>> > gb,
>> > 200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get
>> > to
>> > a
>> > normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with
>> > grey
>> > triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I
>> > click
>> > on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows
>> > is
>> > working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press
>> > ctrl-alt-del,
>> > I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at
>> > the
>> > task
>> > list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
>> > I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
>> >
>> > ikmattie,
>> > Utrecht, Netherlands
>> >
>>
>>
>>