Help please, computer won't start

[Chops]

Hi guys/gals,
Went to start my laptop tonight, the start screen/password screen comes up, punch in the password, the screen sort of goes to a grey colour, sort of normal behavior, then just sits there with the cursor there, then a few seconds later, it all goes black.

Anyone got any ideas on what would cause this or how I could fix it,, short of taking it to a comp place?
If I do the Control/Alt/Delete thing, I get the task manager up, but then I don't know what to do after that, as in, if I should be turning programs off/on etc.

I'm a bit of a nuff nuff when it comes to computer problems :eek:

All help and advice will be appreciated thanks.

[sheerluck]

....I'm a bit of a nuff nuff when it comes to computer problems :eek:

All help and advice will be appreciated thanks.

You can tell. You've posted this in 'Coil Sprung Military land Rovers' :D

[Mick_Marsh]

You can tell. You've posted this in 'Coil Sprung Military land Rovers' :D
Freudian slip. He wants one.

I put it in the "nuff nuff" section for you Chops.

[Chops]

Now listen here you two,,, stop messing with my mind,, it's stuffed up enough as it is thanks very much.

Although Mick does have a note worthy point :angel:

[Mick_Marsh]

Just guessing here, it sounds like explorer isn't starting.
When you get into the task manager, are you able to see if explorer is running?
It's been ages since I've fiddled with Windows.

[theresanothersteve]

Try this:

Press [F8] while windows is booting. If you get the timing right you will see a black and white screen for advanced boot options.

Select Safe Mode. That will load Windows with a bare minimum of drivers and startup programs, just those that are needed for a clean start.

Once Windows has booted, shut down the system properly.

Reboot as normal.

You could also try safe mode with networking and connect to the Internet and make sure you've got all the necessary Windows updates, or try Last known good configuration.

HTH

[Yeats]

Firstly, you should try to get in via 'safe mode'. Not sure wgat windows version you have, but have a look at this:

Start your computer in safe mode - Windows Help (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7)

If it gets you in, then troubleshooting is going to difficult if you don't know your way around the system. You could try 'windows restore'. Google that for your particular operating system. Restore to a date that you knew it was working fine.

If you can't get in at all, do you have the windows build / recovery disks?
If you do, put your disk in and do a 'repair'. (you might need to change your boot sequence in BIOS to do this as the computer needs to boot from the CD before starting - google) Once again, search the net for how to do this for your model computer / version of windows.

[Chops]

Thanks guys. I don't think it's even starting to boot up though.
But I will try the F8 thing when I get home and see what happens,, otherwise, I guess it's off to the shop :mad:

[DBT]

Chops, is it the Windows login screen asking for your password?

If so, above advice is all good.

Or is it a BIOS boot password screen?

Excuse the jargon ( I'm sharing this thought with your other advisors too).

To help identify this: do you normally have to put in a password more than once when you boot the laptop?

If it's crashing *before* the Windows start screen, there may be other issues.

Dave.

[Yeats]

Thanks guys. I don't think it's even starting to boot up though.

If you are able to reach task manager, you have booted up - Task Manager itself is a Windows program, so Windows itself must be, to some extent, working.

Likely problems:
Graphics driver issue. Corrupt file (damaged file that needs to be repaired - Particularly explorer). Resolution settings incorrect / corrupt. Hardware fault (Hard Drive damage usually).

Because task manager is running, Windows is probably repairable. A shop will likely 'repair' windows, which basically involves replacing the corrupt files with good ones. Get an estimate first though - They can charge up to $200 if they regard it as a Windows re-install.
If you have the back up disks for the computer, someone with basic knowledge can do the repair relatively easily.

[incisor]

what version of windows is it?

repair installs can be a trap for new players....

[Kevin B]

Also, what brand of laptop, some have different key functions, try holding down the Backspace key while pressing power button dont ket it go till you see windows logon, on a Tosh this bypasses all startup programs and some hardware drivers and enables a boot to windows, if as you mentioned you are getting to the task manager then select new task and run the command prompt, type in "sfc /scannow" minus inverted commas and noting the space between c and forward slash, this command searches and returns all windows files to there correct location.

[Chops]

Thanks guys, seems I'll have couple of things to try when it's I'm home.

It's an HP, but that's all I can tell you, I don't know of a model number etc. Leeanne bought it, and when she did, she had extra "stuff" installed to enable it to work faster I believe, and hold more info. She knew at the time we'd be running Ozi Explorer etc.
As for a Back Up Disk, I'm not sure if there's one there for it. It's just over a year old I think, and running W8.

[Kevin B]

Thanks guys, seems I'll have couple of things to try when it's I'm home.

It's an HP, but that's all I can tell you, I don't know of a model number etc. Leeanne bought it, and when she did, she had extra "stuff" installed to enable it to work faster I believe, and hold more info. She knew at the time we'd be running Ozi Explorer etc.
As for a Back Up Disk, I'm not sure if there's one there for it. It's just over a year old I think, and running W8.

on most all new laptops now Recovery discs are not provided when you need to recover windows you boot to a separate partition on the HDD, but they do come with built in program for creating recovery discs, which should be done cause if the HDD dies then it takes the partition with it.

[Yeats]

on most all new laptops now Recovery discs are not provided when you need to recover windows you boot to a separate partition on the HDD, but they do come with built in program for creating recovery discs, which should be done cause if the HDD dies then it takes the partition with it.
Virtually every time I get a call out that requires a Windows rebuild, I ask the customer: "Did the shop tell you to make your recovery disc set as soon as you got home?" To which the reply inevitably is: "What's a recovery disc set?"

[Chops]

Virtually every time I get a call out that requires a Windows rebuild, I ask the customer: "Did the shop tell you to make your recovery disc set as soon as you got home?" To which the reply inevitably is: "What's a recovery disc set?"

Hmmm,,, you can add one more to that list :eek:

[Kevin B]

"What's a recovery disc set?"

If I had a Dollar for everytime I heard that, i could have done 2 less repairs a week... :D

[Yeats]

Hmmm,,, you can add one more to that list :eek:

Here's a basic explainer chops!:

A new computer comes with all the basics installed. Usually a partition is made on the Hard Drive that can be used to reinstall windows in the event of a stuff up.
But there is also an option (in Windows) to make a set of DVD's that can be used to re-install everything to the Hard Drive (or repair). This is basically equivalent to having a 'Windows Disc', like the old days. Ideally you should make these recovery discs as soon as you get the computer (preferably before you get on the net, if possible). Then if the computer stuffs up in a big way, the repairman asks: "Did you make the recovery discs?"
Shops though, sometimes have the opinion that if the computer stuffs up and needs windows re-installed, they would rather you took it back to them so that they can get $200 out of you.

But because you can get task manager up, chances are you are up for a straightforward 'windows repair'. But yes, you need somone that knows thier way around windows to sort it out for you. (and get them to make the recovery discs!)

[Lionelgee]

Here's a basic explainer chops!:

A new computer comes with all the basics installed. Usually a partition is made on the Hard Drive that can be used to reinstall windows in the event of a stuff up.
But there is also an option (in Windows) to make a set of DVD's that can be used to re-install everything to the Hard Drive (or repair). This is basically equivalent to having a 'Windows Disc', like the old days. Ideally you should make these recovery discs as soon as you get the computer (preferably before you get on the net, if possible). Then if the computer stuffs up in a big way, the repairman asks: "Did you make the recovery discs?"
Shops though, sometimes have the opinion that if the computer stuffs up and needs windows re-installed, they would rather you took it back to them so that they can get $200 out of you.

But because you can get task manager up, chances are you are up for a straightforward 'windows repair'. But yes, you need somone that knows thier way around windows to sort it out for you. (and get them to make the recovery discs!)

Hello Yeats,

What size DVD would be best to buy for making up a set of recovery discs? I have a newish computer and it is asking me to make a recovery set.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Also, what brand of laptop, some have different key functions, try holding down the Backspace key while pressing power button dont ket it go till you see windows logon, on a Tosh this bypasses all startup programs and some hardware drivers and enables a boot to windows, if as you mentioned you are getting to the task manager then select new task and run the command prompt, type in "sfc /scannow" minus inverted commas and noting the space between c and forward slash, this command searches and returns all windows files to there correct location.


G'day Kevin B.,

Thank you for providing the information about working on Toshibas. My Satellite had started to play up with some driver error messages coming up on start up. It would then start scanning "C" drive


At the moment the Toshiba is currently up to 66% complete on its "verification phase".


Oh I am using a different laptop to type this message :)


It would be good to get my old Toshiba working properly again though :cool:

Make that now that sfc /scannow" is 100% completed what should I do next?

I hope that Chops has his computer issues sorted out - it is not a nice spot to be in. Speaking from personal experience. My old Dell university supplied laptop was made in 2007 and it died a couple of weeks ago. The tech's at uni are currently using retrieval software on it. Luckily I had senses things were going amiss and I did a complete backup of all my data :). I forgot to get a copy of all my bookmarks though and they are trying to retrieve them for me.

So two computers have started to play up on me within about a three week period.

I also have multiple backups of my research data too. Thank Christ :angel:

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Kevin B]

Once the scan is complete there is nothing to do all the files should be in there proper location and providing non are missing all should be fine on boot up

[Lionelgee]

Once the scan is complete there is nothing to do all the files should be in there proper location and providing non are missing all should be fine on boot up


G'day Kevin,

Thanks Kevin for the reply.

It actually asked me to go into a system restore to a point where everything worked okay. I am now following the "please wait" request after it shut itself down, restarted and told me to be patient.

Ok ... time has past and ... I have a normal looking Desk Top :D. Now to shut it down and see if it was just a fluke. :angel:

Is there any issues with upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 8 for Explorer because things may of just purely by coincidence gone wrong after I upgraded.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello Kevin and Chops,

Sorry for hi-jacking your posts Chops.

The latest is that before I shut the Toshiba down a pop up message appeared saying that Systems Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer files and settings have not be changed.

Details: An Unspecified error occurred during System Restore.

You might want to try System Restore again and choose a different restore point

I had previously tried a system restore and it had come up with the same error message.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Kevin B]

How far did you go back? I tend not to go back too far as the computer may have changed significantly, try a closer one to todays date, if that works then if need be go back one more and so on, its a procesd and may not work but I would try everything before you reformat, you will need 2x 4.7gb dvd's for that, I suggest if you can get to the desktop and into programs create those discs first before you do anymore, it should be a program called Recovery disc creator in your programs menu

[Yeats]

Just a little note on system restore (not recovery discs):

There are some virus / Malware programs that hijack system restore. The aim being to stop you restoring back to before you got the virus. They can be a real pain to fix sometimes.

[Lionelgee]

Just a little note on system restore (not recovery discs):

There are some virus / Malware programs that hijack system restore. The aim being to stop you restoring back to before you got the virus. They can be a real pain to fix sometimes.

G'day Yeats,

I nursed the Toshiba into a start yesterday and instigated a virus scan. Not long after the scan started the computer lost itself amongst its own electrons and refused to obey any mouse clicks, or keyboard commands. I wound up having to press the "off" button to shut the computer down.

I check for viruses at In-depth level as an administrator at least a couple of times a week. The software is checked for updates prior to each scan. No viruses have been picked up, nothing quarantined.

I used the restoration point that the computer itself recommended. I am now trying a different restore point however I think the computer has gone off with the faeries again. No response to mouse or keyboard. The cursor is in a continuous loop. Non-responsive to Ctrl - Alt - Del.

I am starting to think the Toshiba has had its day and its condition is terminal.

If I can coax it to start again tomorrow I will copy my bookmarks and then let it rest in peace.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Chops]

All good Lionel, ask/highjack away.

The boys here are awesome enough to try and help us out, something I know most of us will appreciate. :D

We'll, it seems to me, the Server (?) is not working.
On entry of the password, it sort of zips off to the right, then that's pretty much it. Normally, the purple-ish screen with all the App tiles on it would appear.
So I'll head off to someone tomorrow afternoon to see if they can deal with it.

What would be good, is if someone can recommend anyone decent in SE Melb to take it too. I work in Clayton, then travel home down to Narre Warren. So I can head in towards the city a bit if needs be.

Thanks Yeats and Kevin for your help. Very much appreciated

[Yeats]

I am starting to think the Toshiba has had its day and its condition is terminal.

If I can coax it to start again tomorrow I will copy my bookmarks and then let it rest in peace.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Sometimes they just have to euthanised...
One day we will discover that the Pyramids were really just an egyptian e-waste collection point that the Salvos just didn't want to pick up...

[Kevin B]

G'day Yeats,

I nursed the Toshiba into a start yesterday and instigated a virus scan. Not long after the scan started the computer lost itself amongst its own electrons and refused to obey any mouse clicks, or keyboard commands. I wound up having to press the "off" button to shut the computer down.

I check for viruses at In-depth level as an administrator at least a couple of times a week. The software is checked for updates prior to each scan. No viruses have been picked up, nothing quarantined.

I used the restoration point that the computer itself recommended. I am now trying a different restore point however I think the computer has gone off with the faeries again. No response to mouse or keyboard. The cursor is in a continuous loop. Non-responsive to Ctrl - Alt - Del.

I am starting to think the Toshiba has had its day and its condition is terminal.

If I can coax it to start again tomorrow I will copy my bookmarks and then let it rest in peace.

Kind Regards
Lionel

This one is a long shot but usec to work somtimes, turn it off unplug it and remove the battery leave it oyt 5 mins then put it back in, and try start again, sometimes removing the power from the mainboard is enough to reset it, it was an old trick we used to do over the counter at the repair center, give it a go, also heat is a big killer of them is heat much like a Landy :wasntme: when they get hot they run slow, get a can of compressed air and blow into th side vent into the fan you will be surprised the amout of ust that will come out WARNING do not blow the other way you will force dust into the machine, blow from the sise and it will come out the base

Lionel dont throw it it out, what model is it? the Satellite series were considered some of the best and toughest that were made, somtimes in the end all it will need is a good cleanout and reformat it will then go on for ages, my Satellite P100 has been on in the back room 24/for the last 5 years and still going strong with no more maintenance than a dust blowout once a month

[Lionelgee]

This one is a long shot but usec to work somtimes, turn it off unplug it and remove the battery leave it oyt 5 mins then put it back in, and try start again, sometimes removing the power from the mainboard is enough to reset it, it was an old trick we used to do over the counter at the repair center, give it a go, also heat is a big killer of them is heat much like a Landy :wasntme: when they get hot they run slow, get a can of compressed air and blow into th side vent into the fan you will be surprised the amout of ust that will come out WARNING do not blow the other way you will force dust into the machine, blow from the sise and it will come out the base

Lionel dont throw it it out, what model is it? the Satellite series were considered some of the best and toughest that were made, somtimes in the end all it will need is a good cleanout and reformat it will then go on for ages, my Satellite P100 has been on in the back room 24/for the last 5 years and still going strong with no more maintenance than a dust blowout once a month

G'day Kevin,

Thank you for your suggestions Kevin.

The Toshiba is a Satellite U400 Model Number: PSU44A-OOJOOC, I am not sure what year I bought it in.

Because I have had university and work computers to use over the years the Toshiba has had very little use until about a month ago. This is when my university Dell computer decided to expire gracefully.

I have taken the battery out of the Toshiba.

It is funny how some of the USB memory sticks have a bigger capacity than the computer's hard drive now. Apart from my main external mass storage device I use 16 gig USB memory sticks to back up my postgraduate data! My study is not in IT by the way :angel:

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Kevin B]

U400 great machine I took one of them running Ozi explorer mounted on the dash 6000km from Adelaide and across the Simpson and back a few years ago, never missed a beat, if you look at the last 3 numbers of the serial number that indicates month and year of manufacture.

[Lionelgee]

U400 great machine I took one of them running Ozi explorer mounted on the dash 6000km from Adelaide and across the Simpson and back a few years ago, never missed a beat, if you look at the last 3 numbers of the serial number that indicates month and year of manufacture.

Hello Kevin,

Serial Number is 880 13868W

So this makes it what year and month?

I just put the battery back in & the power chord and it went straight to Windows Error message and asked me what mode I want to start the machine in. Normal start up is the automatic default option. It booted up to the desktop okay.

I will try the to get the bookmarks off.

Last night the computer locked up during its attempt to restore at a different point. I had to use the power button held down to turn the little beastie off.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Kevin B]

Sorry Lionel,

My mistake its the first 3, that approx August 2008 Model

[Chops]

Ok,, so tonight, I decide to have a look at the comp, and I've managed to get into the control section and restore it back to roughly two weeks ago.
It worked. :D

So, just because I'm a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff. What course of action should I take to ensure I can back up all my info etc, and also, is there a way that should this happen again, I can fix it in an easier way,, as in, may be a CD or something that I can just pop in and it fixes itself ??

[FANTOM P38]

Hey Marcus depending on how old the computer is but it may have come with a preloaded CD with the original setup & software preloaded.
All you would need to do is format your hard drive & start up with the cd in drive & follow prompts.
Otherwise it may be wise to take it to your local PC guys & get them to clean up any viruses etc then make a ghost copy of your drive that you could use if anything else happened this would also pick up any additional software you may have installed since purchasing.

[Yeats]

All you would need to do is format your hard drive & start up with the cd in drive & follow prompts.

Don't do this chops! You will lose ALL your data!

Google: recovery disc set for your version of windows and model of computer. The discs you make will be able to either repair your drive or do a full install if things go really pear shaped. Do this now while your computer is working well. If in doubt, take it to a shop that will charge about $20 to make the recovery discs for you.
NOTE: Recovery discs are different to 'Windows back up discs' (which just back up your files)

[Kevin B]

Chops,

the U400 never came out with recovery discs supplied, the recovery partition is located on a hidden partition on the HDD, to access the you hold down the "0" key then press the power button as soon as you see the Toshiba splash screen let the "0" key go and if you have time it right it will boot to the recover partition, as stated this will WIPE EVERYTHING, follow the prompts if this is the course of action you want to take.

to make you own recovery discs go to Start menu > Programs > recovery disc creator, and you will need 2 x DVD's pop one in follow the prompts and it will burn a set for you, once done, pop them in a safe place for use a t a later stage if you HDD Dies and you need to replace it.

this must be done from the Machine that you have, a novice cannot use another set of recovery discs from another machine even if it is the same model as when they are being created the BIOS, Model and serial number are burnt into the Disc, if you were to try and use another set you would get an error message "WRONG MACHINE"

if you have your machine started up now CREATE SOME DISCS those will be a clean image to use at a later date