Solved Laptop in constant initial boot splash screen

[spacecon]

Easiest way to get there is go to the start menu and click, type in "system restore" in the search box and then when it finds system restor, click on that to open it up. It should be turned on (I think) by default. So follow the prompts (click next) and it will lead you to where you need to go to restore. there may be several restore points for you to choose from. When you see the last restore point, you will likely have to click on the box near the bottom that says "show more restore points" if you want to see others. Hope it works and you are back in business.

 

[es336td]

What a long strange trip...

I created the ISO image as mentioned by MellonHead in post #4. When I boot to it, and select repair... it says it can't. I do the other option of re-install... it dies after 12% in the 2nd item...

I was able to bring up the Dell Recovery thing (sorry for the ambiguous explanations, I don't have the machine here at work), by hitting F8 while booting. It let me create a Rescue disc (two 4GB DVDs), but I think it's just the screwed up copy I have.

At this point... I have two problems and cannot get around them...
1. When powering on, the Dell logo comes up, then it goes out, then it comes up again... and stays in this loop until I hit F12 and boot from the ISO image disc I created. There are no restore points or backups... anywhere.

2. When I get Windows to actually come up, shortly after, I get Windows Explorer has stopped working and will close. Perpetually. If I bring it up in Safe Mode, I am allowed to do a bit more, but still get the message. I googled this and found all kinds of solutions... checked everything.. nothing. During this mess, a Windows Auto Update happened. When I rebooted, the message was gone and it seemed to be working. I created a restore point. After this Auto Update said it needed to restart and so I let it. The reboot then started the mess in #1 above. I got past that and upon successful boot of Windows, the Windows Explorer thing started again. I then rebooted and tried to restore to the restore point I made. Upon the 2nd Auto Update above, a restore point was automatically made. I restored to my restore point and rebooted. The Windows Explorer thing was back.

This is insane. At this point I want to wipe the damn thing clean, buy and install a new copy of 7 and move on. Before I do this, is there anything I'm missing here? Beyond frustrated.

 

[spacecon]

if you can find the product key it will save you money

If you can find the product key, then you shouldn't have to pay for a new copy of Windows 7. It is a shame to have to buy a new one. Sometimes there is paperwork that has the product key, but almost always there is (was) a sticker on the machine somewhere. There is likely some way to recover it from your broken system, but I will let others with more expertise in that area give their advice.

 

[es336td]

I just did a Support Chat with Dell and they are sending me the software for free. Life is good!

 

[spacecon]

Excellent! Once you get back up and running, be sure to figure out and record in a safe place your product key. That way you will have the option of doing a clean install if ever desired or necessary. I am amazed that Dell would give support after that much time without charging you an arm and a leg (I believe you said it had been several years?). Good for them, I have to give them bonus points for that.