Windows 7: Dell Inspiron Laptop Windows 7 Home Premium Stuck on "Welcome" Screen

Hi, I am new to this forum and not a computer expert. My 6-month old Dell Inspiron laptop is currently stuck on the Welcome screen (with spinning icon). When turned on, it brings me to my sign in screen, I enter my password and then it goes to the Welcome screen and just stays there and the little icon keeps spinning. I tried holding down the power button to force it to turn off, then turning it back on but the same thing happens. It has been sitting, "spinning/stuck" for over an hour now.

Any suggestions on what to do? Thank you!

Hi aphelocoma,

Please try the following steps to see if they help:

Try to run 'hardware diagnostics' to check 'hardware functionality':
- Power off the laptop > Power it back on; at Dell splash screen repeatedly tap 'F12' > Use 'arrow keys' on the keyboard to highlight 'Diagnostics' and tap 'Enter' > Capture 'error message' if any.
You may refer to the following 'web article' for detailed steps: Run Built-In Diagnostics for Your System

If you still experience issues, try to 'Load BIOS defaults' to see if that works:
- Power off the laptop > Power it back on and at 'Dell splash screen' repeatedly tap 'F2 key' > Tap 'F9' to 'load BIOS defaults' > Tap 'F10' to 'Save and Exit'
Note: Also check the 'hard drive status' in the 'BIOS' (Check if detected)

Please share the exact system model, if no conclusive results show up.

Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

Welcome to the forums!

You could press F8 to boot into safe mode. Turn your machine off. Press the power on button and keep tapping F8 which should get you into safe mode. Once there run a sfc/scannow to check/repair any corrupted system files. I'd run some malware scans too, couldn't hurt. We have many excellent tutorials here, written by some very knowledgeable people. Heres how to run the sfc/scannow , just click on the blue link.

SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

Conversely, you could choose to restore to an earlier time to see if that helps.

Advanced Boot Options

Hope this helps!

Thank you! I ran the diagnostics and it said no problems found so far, do you want to run memory tests, so I said Yes. It said that would take 30 minutes or more, so that is running now. I will post again when finished. Thank you again,
Aphelocoma

If the previous suggestions don't resolve the issue boot into the Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair a few times with reboots. This automates all fixes so is likely to get the most traction.

The Win7 DVD is provided in Step 6 of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start which also provides everything that can be done for unbootable Win7.

If all else fails it shows you how to rescue your files and then run Dell Windows 7 PC Restore or get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Hi aphelocoma,

Thank you for the reply.

Glad that the 'Hard Drive' is good; not likely to be the memory. Memory test may not be required.

You may follow the steps suggested by 'indianacarnie'; try starting the system in 'Safe Mode'. You may restart the notebook and repeatedly tap 'F8' key to select 'Safe Mode'. If the system starts in this diagnostic mode, please run the 'SFC Diagnostic Tool'. The tutorial provides good description of the steps. It will scan 'Windows', verifies integrity of files and may also repair some. 'System Restore' could also help (Advanced Boot Options)

If the system is unable to boot to 'Safe Mode', you may follow the steps from 'gregrocker'. He has summed up everything nicely.

Do reply if you have any further questions.