Cannot get past user login - Help

Secret_Lady

I have a Dell Inspiron 530S desktop with Vista Home Premium.

I cannot get past the user log on screen; the mouse pointer moves around the screen but clicking on the user name has no effect at all; nor can I turn the computer off or get any further.

I've had to turn off at the mains and reboot and start in safe mode but it is just the same; will only go as far as the log on screen and that's it.

Is there anything else I can do? I'm not very technically minded but thought I'd ask if anyone had any ideas?

Using a friends laptop to post this, in the hopes of a solution to my problem.

Thank you.

paddyrg

Dicky keyboard/mouse? Try borrowing some and see if they make a difference?

Secret_Lady

paddyrg wrote: »

Dicky keyboard/mouse? Try borrowing some and see if they make a difference?

No it's just the same, thanks anyway.

johnmc

Does sound like a mouse problem.

If it's USB then try a different socket.

Try another mouse.

just the same

Ooops! too slow.

closed

boot, F8, advanced, last known good configuration

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-vista/using-last-known-good-configuration


failing that, F8, command prompt, chkdsk c: /R

failing that, create a linux rescue cd, boot from it, backup your data to an external drive, and factory restore it, instructions in speedup sticky above

you can do a hard shutdown by holding the on/off button down instead of hitting the mains switch, but both are not good for a hard disks consistency

Secret_Lady

closed wrote: »

boot, F8, advanced, last known good configuration

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-vista/using-last-known-good-configuration


failing that, F8, command prompt, chkdsk c: /R

failing that, create a linux rescue cd, boot from it, backup your data to an external drive, and factory restore it, instructions in speedup sticky above

you can do a hard shutdown by holding the on/off button down instead of hitting the mains switch, but both are not good for a hard disks consistency

Tried F8 and last known good configuration, still went back to the Vista users log on screen, which will not let me log on. When I click the icon nothing happens.

The holding the inn/off button down works and although it's not good to do it is the only way I can turn off the computer.

The Linux rescue is beyond me I'm afraid; not sure what it is or how I would be able to do it as I cannot access my computer.

I do have my files backed up to a click free portable drive and I will go through the sticky you suggested and see if there is anything on there to help but as I cannot get past the user log on screen I'm not sure if I will be able to do anything ?

Thank you for your help.

Myser

Secret_Lady wrote: »

When I click the icon nothing happens.

Try pressing Enter/Return or Space Bar instead of clicking with the mouse. Can you navigate between the icon and shutdown button in the bottom corner using the tab key?

Have you tried Safe Mode after pressing F8 at startup?

NiftyDigits

Unplug any USB devices and remove any memory card inserted in the device. Then reboot.

closed

the only relevant bit of the speedup sticky is the section labelled factory restore.

if you are confident your backup is good, use it

the rescue disc I mentioned is a way of rescuing and backing up your data when windows doesn't boot

Secret_Lady

Thank you for all the help given, I have now managed to get my computer working again, fingers crossed it stays that way!

Apologies for not being online sooner to say thank you.

paulofessex

Secret_Lady wrote: »

Thank you for all the help given, I have now managed to get my computer working again, fingers crossed it stays that way!

Apologies for not being online sooner to say thank you.

Glad to hear you sorted it, wonder if you wouldn't mind telling us how you solved it, was it any of the above solutions or something else.