Windows 7 Start Up

My laptop computer does not load properly when turned on. It goes through all the normal processes; filling in password and the welcome display. It then loads my background colour, but I also have a picture in the centre of my background which doesn't load. My computer then stays on the background colour and does not load any of the software icons or start menu options leaving a blank background, except for the colour.

Please help ! Why is this happening ? How can I fix it ?

Can you start in safe mode? If you can,do you know how to use "msconfig"?
Try starting in safe mode and post back.

I can start in safe mode, but when I do there are two options; Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. I have tried both, and they both work. Although, I do not know how to use msconfig. What is that?

If you can start in safe mode, it means that it is possible that your problems are due to some programs/drivers that you have installed subsequent to your Windows 7 install. Msconfig allows you to temporarily disable these startup programs as well as specific drivers.

Try the following steps: –
Click on the Start button on your desktop and then on "Run.." in the menu.
In the window that opens up type "msconfig" (no quotes).Hit return.
Click on the "Startup" tab and uncheck all the boxes.
Click on the "Apply" and then the "OK" buttons and restart the computer.

If this does not work, reboot in safe mode and repeat the steps to open up msconfig.
This time click on the "Services" tab and check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services". Now uncheck all the boxes making note of the ones that were checked.
Restart your PC. And post the results.

If your PC starts successfully after either or both of these "steps" post and I will list the simple steps to find and isolate the offending startup program or startup service.

Best of luck

since safe mood works then your pc is working the problem you have is because of program that runs at start up (it may be a virus)
start you computer in a safe mood and when you are in desktop click on start then run (or press start+r from your keyboard) type msconfig and go to the tab startup uncheck everything then restart your computer and see if it works

Snakeyeskm, thankyou so much for your help. It got my computer working again ! You are a legend.

Omarellaham said:

since safe mood works then your pc is working the problem you have is because of program that runs at start up (it may be a virus)
start you computer in a safe mood and when you are in desktop click on start then run (or press start+r from your keyboard) type msconfig and go to the tab startup uncheck everything then restart your computer and see if it works

Thanks aswell, I didnt get to try your solution. But I think that it is the same as the previous one. Thanks for your help :)

sarahh said:

Snakeyeskm, thankyou so much for your help. It got my computer working again ! You are a legend.

Great! Did eliminating the startup programs fix the problem or did you have to go to the services?

Most start up programs can be safely left unchecked and will free up considerable resources. On the other hand non-Microsoft services can have valuable functions. If you have left them unchecked, you can use msconfig and selectively check these items and by rebooting identify the offending service/startup and permanently eliminate (uncheck) that specific item. You can then check the balance and restore the additional capabilities off your laptop.

Cheers.

Eliminating the startup programs fixed the problems. But, I realised that the internet access is missing from my task bar, and I am unable to connect to the internet because of this. I even tried going through control panel but it didnt work. Also my sound is not working now, do you think it is because of the eliminations of the start up programs?

Sorry for all of this, but i really need help ! Ahhh.

Worry not. One of two things have happened, it is possible that some of the start up programs that you unchecked have caused this problem. Or alternatively you might have accidentally eliminated some services from loading when you use msconfig. Both issues are easily solved.

The first step is to eliminate the startup program that was causing your original problem. You do this by opening msconfig and checking the first half of the programs that you had unchecked. Restart your PC, if the original problem occurs you will now know that the offending startup program is located in the start up programs or just checked. By a process of elimination find the offending startup program. Once you have done that check all the balance of start up programs in msconfig and restart your laptop.
If you have done this correctly your PC should start up without having to resort to safe mode.
At this point if you are still missing your Internet and sound features, worry not that's easily fixed.

Go to start and click on run. Type in the following– services.msc
Expand the window that opens up and click on the "startup type" Tab.
You will now see all the services that are starting up as well as all the disabled services.
Enable all the disabled services by clicking on the service name and then choosing "Automatic" in the drop-down menu. (Normally people disable certain unnecessary services, but Windows 7 is very efficient and you will not lose much by enabling all the services.) Services that are labeled "delayed start" leave as is.
Once you have enabled all the services, close the box and restart your PC.

All should be fine at this point. If you still have a problem post right back and we can walk through a few simple steps to fix that.