I have an HP desktop Pavilion HPE Series, Windows 7 Home Premium, SP 1.


This is a somewhat shortened version of what's happened: I have been having problems with Windows Explorer not working, then working. I chose "Go online for solution & restore" and all seemed well.

Then two days ago when I opened my computer, I faced an almost-blank desktop, no Start button, no Explorer folder, none of my (many) desktop shortcuts--only screensaver, Eastlink anti-virus icon & some gadgets. I couldn't open the anti-virus program; that caused the little wheel indicator next to my cursor to whirl madly for hours and, in effect, froze my computer. I tried Ctl+Alt+Del, but got "...unable to.... Press Esc or Restart button". Esc did nothing.

When I restarted, briefly there was a black screen & msj: "locking your computer" & a lock icon appeared. However, the regular sign-in screen finally did appear & I signed in. It then took hours for the desktop functions to appear (short-cut icons, Start button, etc). When I tried to access the Internet, the whirling symbol came back. Again, I was frozen.

Once again, I restarted, this time in Safe Mode. I got into a Windows Help/Support Screen, but couldn't use the options there (Chat with someone online, go to a forum, etc), because I can't get online: No connectivity or audio available. (I'm sending this from my husband's computer, btw}. I tried to print out the page, but that just brought the whirling wheel again. I could close the Support Window (and now I can't find my way back to it).

This brings me to where I am now: in Safe Mode, facing a black opening screen crammed full with BIG icons of some of my shortcuts, a white band at bottom w/ Start, Explorer, white versions of audio, connectivity icons (that don't work) and time at bottom right.

I don't know if this was merely a compounding of problems around the Explorer not working properly or whether that was resolved and there was a backlash to an update....Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on what I might try next?

Desperate in Delta,
Joan.

It sounds like a virus to me.
Might be a hardware issue as well.
Do you know how to boot to the BIOS?
Some machines will let you reset defaults from there.
If you can get it to boot at all, go to tools (in accessories I think for Win 7), and look for the restore button. Sometimes that will work, and it will boot using your last known good configuration.

If you know of a computer shop, or Best Buy in your area, that would be the best bet.

HTH,
Gary

Thanks, Gary.

I'm going to check out the Geek Squad (Best Buy), and maybe see if I can do a "Restore"...
Joan