Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

  1. #1
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    Hi,

    My son has a Dell Inspiron laptop, which is outwith warranty.

    It was working perfectly until this morning.

    On switching on, it comes up with the first Vista Home Premium screen, and then his own user password, then instead of the usual desktop screen with icons, it comes up with "documents" and his own Word files.

    The rest of the screen is totally blank, i.e. no "desktop" icons or wallpaper,

    He has tried control/alt / delete.

    And switched it off, to get safe mode, but he couldn't get much action/success from that - should he persevere further with safe modeor another mode ?

    and if so, what to do in safe mode?

    He has also taken the battery out for two minutes and it is still the same.

    Or do you any suggestions to fix it ?

    He has no Vista discs.

    Thanks very much in advance,


    John

  2. #2
    The Oracle
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    2,263
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    Does the start menu work (ie from the windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen)?

  3. #3
    The Dashing Moderator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Midlands
    Posts
    3,556
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening


    Or press the "Windows" key (usually at the bottom row on the left of the keyboard near to Ctrl and Alt, with the Microsoft Windows symbol on it - a picture of a waving flag).
    Love dance, will travel

  4. #4
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    Thanks for the messages,

    The windows icon was not appearing on the screen at that point.

    I tried the "windows" key repeatedly when starting up.

    This is the stage we are now at.

    The "documents" comes up, pressing ctrl alt delete then gives a vista screen with the task manager option on it.
    Pressing task manager
    then file
    new task
    then
    typing in explorer
    run
    gets the desktop and apparently everything back to normal, ( including the full taskbarbar at the bottom with the Windows circle. )
    Unfortunately when the computer is powered down, then switched on again, the original problem is back.

    Any ideas on how to make this temporary fix, permanent ?

    or different things that should be getting tried ?

    Thanks again, John

    thanks very much

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    SW London
    Posts
    397
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    Quote Originally Posted by johnthehappyguy View Post
    And switched it off, to get safe mode, but he couldn't get much action/success from that - should he persevere further with safe modeor another mode ?

    and if so, what to do in safe mode?
    Have a read here: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...e+Search&meta=

    If you can get into safemode try a restore (rollback) to when the system was working.

  6. #6
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Hastings
    Posts
    4,386
    Blog Entries
    2
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    The problem is with windows explorer (not internet explorer).

    It is a common problem with Vista SP1.

    to fix press ctr+alt+del and start task manager. You want to open the registry editor by clicking 'new task' and typing regedit in the open field. Click 'OK'

    You want to find the following HKEY_local machine/software/microsoft/WindowsNT/Currentversion/winlogon (click on the + next to HKEY_Local macine, then the + next to software etc (Checking on Windows 7 its an arrow but think it's a + in Vista??)

    Click on winlogon and some stuff appears in the right hand box. double click on 'shell' and in the text box where it says 'Value_data' type ' explorer.exe '.

    OK that then close the registry editor. Restart your PC and fingers crossed.

    Going from memory on a machine that it happened on of mine once, Pulled what hair I had left out. Let me know how you get on.


  7. #7
    Registered User johnthehappyguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    345
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Dell Notebook, Vista not opening

    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Bartholomew View Post
    The problem is with windows explorer (not internet explorer)..... Pulled what hair I had left out. Let me know how you get on.


    Thanks again everyone.

    All the posts were useful;

    The referral to the Vista forum boards was great because I did not know such a forum existed. - but unfortunately a "roll-back" did not work.

    The solution that Lee came up with has worked.

    My son is absolutely delighted.

    Thanks again, everyones help is really appreciated.

    John

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Vista and WifI? Problems??
    By Beowulf in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 20th-October-2008, 08:07 AM
  2. Vista
    By Lee Bartholomew in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 55
    Last Post: 1st-March-2008, 09:23 PM
  3. Vista voice recognition
    By ducasi in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 22nd-February-2007, 12:09 AM
  4. Vista Security!
    By Franck in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 21st-February-2007, 01:21 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •