Computer Will Not Boot

[Tom]

Good morning,

New member and novice user here. I am trying to assist my daughter
with the following computer problem. Her computer is a Dell Dimension
E310 and is running Windows XP. The problem is when she turns on her
computer it will run until she reaches the log in screen. She clicks
on her name and the next screen that appears is a screen saver page
with no task bar, program icons, etc. We have tried to log on using
last successful logon and we always end up on the screen saver screen
with no task bar, icons, etc. We did find there was a keyboard error
when using the F2 key but the key board seems to work as we had to use
the ctrl, alt and delete key to retart the cpu. She has also tried to
isolate whether there might be a usb/peripheral issue by
disconnecting each usb connection one at a time to possibly identify
any possible concern but with no luck.

Any suggestions? Thank you for your consideration of this request and
best wishes for the new year.

Tom

 

[Jan Alter]

Hi,

The first thing to consider is if your daughter changed any settings
before this event started. If so, see if she can change those settings back.

If nothing comes into focus with this idea then you could try a 'System
Restore', which essentially puts in place a previous registry before this
event took place.

Since you have no control when you get into Windows normally and only get
your screensaver showing then you will want to start the computer in Safe
Mode to allow you to get to the System Restore feature.
As you turn the computer on start tapping the F8 key at about 1 second
intervals. It's hard to explain at what point one should hold it down simply
because I don't know the speed of your system, but tapping it at the 1
second intervals should get you into the Windows Menu. When the menu comes
up choose 'Safe Mode' and click ENTER or RETURN on the keyboard.
When the Windows desktop comes into view click on START and then PROGRAMS.
Choose ACCESORIES and find SYSTEM TOOLS. Scroll down to SYSTEM RESTORE and
click on that program. Choose 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'. A
calendar of restore points will show up. Any boldened dates are restore
points. Click on one just before your daughter thinks things went south and
follow the directions. Hopefully this will get you smiling.