Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Computer Help Needed
Free Republic | 04-11-2006 | EEE

Posted on 04/11/2006 7:40:57 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist

When I turn my computer on and the screen appears, all I get is the hourglass (The mouse pointer turns into an hourglass whenever I move it towards the START menu or taskbar) and I'm unable to access my START menu. I usually turn the power off several times before it works again.

I just did a virus and spyware scan and they came back clean. Yes, I have Windows XP (Cue the "Get a Mac!" responses). Please advise.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computer; computerproblems; laughingbillgates; lowqualitycrap; pchell
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

1 posted on 04/11/2006 7:40:58 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Get a Mac!





(sorry, couldn't resist...)


2 posted on 04/11/2006 7:41:58 PM PDT by dinodino
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dinodino

Hey, that's what I came here to say!!!

Sorry, it may not be what you want to hear, but IT'S THE ANSWER.

Mac Mini yeah!


3 posted on 04/11/2006 7:43:29 PM PDT by Shimmer128
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: dinodino

If you can't get to the start menu at all, you may need to reinstall the operating system. If you can get to the start menu, run scandisk to repair your state data.


4 posted on 04/11/2006 7:44:04 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Press CTRL-ESC and tell me if you can see the start menu.


5 posted on 04/11/2006 7:45:49 PM PDT by thoughtomator (That new ring around Uranus is courtesy of the IRS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Hit F8 for option to boot into safe mode (minimum device drivers will load). Restore the system to the last CheckPoint known to work. I believe this is under Start>Programs>System>Utilities, don't quote me, I'm going by memory (first thing to leave from aging).

Other than that; Yer On Yer Own.


6 posted on 04/11/2006 7:46:55 PM PDT by paulcissa (Only YOU can prevent liberalism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Don't get a mac. But, shut the PC down with the CD drive open, put the windows xp cd in the drive and shut it. Then, turn on the PC and hit F12 until the BIOS screen appears, use your arrow keys and highlight boot from cd/dvd drive. Hit "enter" and follow the windows prompts. Freepmail me for my phone number if you need help.

WARNING! This will reformat your hard drive and you will lose anything stored on it.

7 posted on 04/11/2006 7:47:06 PM PDT by rodeocowboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Does it matter how long you wait? 10 minutes? Still no menu?

Have you installed any software recently?


8 posted on 04/11/2006 7:47:14 PM PDT by listenhillary (The original Contract with America - The U.S. Constitution)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
When was the last time you defraged your hard drive?


9 posted on 04/11/2006 7:47:29 PM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Go to "start" choose "run" and type in "msconfig" enter. Click on tab labeled "startup". The checked items run when you turn on your computer. I suspect that you may have some crap starting up that you don't really need and perhaps that's your problem. You can uncheck the unnecessary ones and see if that helps.

You might also go to "my computer" and right click on "C" and choose properties. Click "disk clean up" and delete everything. This will free up space which might also help.
10 posted on 04/11/2006 7:50:31 PM PDT by Jaysun (If anything is possible, then it's possible that nothing is possible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Do not move the mouse.

Hit cntl-alt-delete. Select the task manager. In the task manager, go to the processes pane and sort the processes by CPU percentage. Then proceeed. What process is at the top, using the most CPU?


11 posted on 04/11/2006 7:51:09 PM PDT by proxy_user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RegulatorCountry
run scandisk to repair your state data.

How do I do that? Just run scandisk as it is?

12 posted on 04/11/2006 7:51:51 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (A nickel bag gets sold in the park. I WANT IN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I have another path for you to take. Press ctrl-alt-del when it does that and see if there are any programs using an abnormal amount of memory and/or cpu percentage. If there is one close the process and uninstall/reinstall that program.


13 posted on 04/11/2006 7:52:42 PM PDT by aft_lizard (....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

AT&T is sucking on your network port too hard routing to NSA and is pulling bits off of your hard drive, thereby hanging your machine.

Or maybe your hard drive is just giving up the ghost.

Could be a lot of things. Try the safe mode boot to even see if you can get in. Installed any hardware/software recently?


14 posted on 04/11/2006 7:53:43 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Protect American jobs. Don't hire illegals.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: proxy_user

you beat me to it. except i told him to close any process that seemed abnormal.


15 posted on 04/11/2006 7:53:54 PM PDT by aft_lizard (....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

"If you can't get to the start menu at all, you may need to reinstall the operating system. If you can get to the start menu, run scandisk to repair your state data."

I see where he is going with this but there are a number of things to try first....

1. Try to get to safe mode by pressing the F8 key as the computer boots and selecting safe mode.

If you can boot to safe mode try running scandisk (which may require another reboot) and/or run msconfig and select diagnostic startup. If you can boot in diagnostic startup then some program or service is preventing booting. Go back to msconfig, go to the startup tab and uncheck every program that you don't need at startup.

If you like, I'll give you my phone number and we can do some interactive diagnosis.


16 posted on 04/11/2006 7:54:06 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: proxy_user
Hit cntl-alt-delete. Select the task manager. In the task manager, go to the processes pane and sort the processes by CPU percentage. Then proceeed. What process is at the top, using the most CPU?

I did that once I couldn't make heads or tails from the processes, so I just put the computer on Stand-By (or Restart) to see if it worked.

I can't do it now, since my computer is working for the time being but I'll remember it next time.

17 posted on 04/11/2006 7:54:08 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (A nickel bag gets sold in the park. I WANT IN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: VeniVidiVici
Or maybe your hard drive is just giving up the ghost.

The hard drive is brand new. I did a total upgrade back in February.

18 posted on 04/11/2006 7:55:13 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (A nickel bag gets sold in the park. I WANT IN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I'm an old-time Mac guy, but do have two PC systems that I have to keep in working order. Yes, if you can run it, that's what it does.


19 posted on 04/11/2006 7:56:07 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

"How do I do that? Just run scandisk as it is?"

No. The first time select automatically fix file system errors.


20 posted on 04/11/2006 7:56:21 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson