Power Button and Ctrl-Atl-Delete Problem(s)

[bswiatowy]

Hello everyone! I have having a problem with the power button in the start menu...and I'm sure it's tied to a problem I'm having when I hit ctrl-alt-delete. First, the power button...I only have three options when I click it: log off, switch user, or lock. I cannot restart and I cannot shut down. Similarly, when I hit a ctrl-alt-delete, the only option that comes up is "switch user"...which means I can't start task manager. I'm guessing this has something to do with user rights and privileges...but I'm the only user and I have administrator rights! I've search all over for a solution and I cannot find one. Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[richc46]

Try to right click on task bar, does that you you task manager?

This may help, too
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/850-power-button-start-menu.html

Try a shortcut, too
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10499-task-manager-create-elevated-shortcut.html

 

[bswiatowy]

Thanks for the response, Rich. I got Task Manager back by going into the registry editor and turning off the "Disable TskMgr" entry...though I have NO idea how it got turned on in the first place.

When I go to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, the only power button actions I have available are the three I listed previously...Switch User, Log Off, and Lock. I forgot to mention previously, this is on a desktop computer...not a laptop.

I read somewhere else that I could potentially replace explorer.exe with a "clean copy" from another computer to resolve the problem. I'm working on that right now...though it's not that easy to replace explorer.exe. Thank you for the suggestions. I will let you know if this explorer swap out does the trick or not.

 

[richc46]

Do you have a install CD?

If not try this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[bswiatowy]

Yes I do.

 

[richc46]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[bswiatowy]

No dice

Okay...after working on the repair install last night and finishing it up this morning, the result is negative. Nothing changed. Just FYI, I *did* try swapping out the explorer.exe before doing the repair install. As you can probably guess, that didn't work either. What about creating another user and deleting the old one? Do you think that would work...or is that going to wipe out all the files in "User" folder?

 

[richc46]

All the user files for that user will we deleted. You have to transfer to the new account , first.

 

[karlsnooks]

Since somehow, someway, possibly by the attachment at the keyboard then your system is messed up.

My recommendation is:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[bswiatowy]

Interesting to note...I created a new account and when I switch to the new one, all the power switch options are there...Shut Down, Restart, Hibernate...everything. So, I guess the question now is can I transfer all the information from one user account to another, delete the old account, and still maintain computer stability? Time for me to research a new topic (unless one of you have the answer off the top of your head).

 

[karlsnooks]

There is a tutorial on this. Maybe one of the others, familiar with your problem, will point the tutorial out.

 

[richc46]

Your one account is corrupted, transfer from the old to the new then delete the old. You should be as good as new.

 

[bswiatowy]

It appears I have found the crux of my problem so succinctly described by the title of the webpage I came across: How to fix a corrupted user profile.

The following page has a pretty good step-by-step instruction as to how to fix the issue: Fix a corrupted user profile
Here's hoping I don't screw something up...but will back up the original user file to make extra sure.

 

[Hopalong X]

Windows 7 Missing Buttons.

This person had the same problem. Got the buttons back. I'm not sure how the file recovery went.

Another person had the same problem they suggested trying a system restore. I'm not sure you tried that yet.

Not an image. The Win7 system restore.

Never mind.
I was searching while you were and missed your last post before I posted.

 

[bswiatowy]

Fixed

Okay...after transferring everything over to a new user account, I am now able to "shut down", "restart", and "sleep"...so creating a new user account worked, but it did take some work. I created my "new" user account plus a "temp" user account so that I could log in under the "temp" account to transfer all the files over from the old account to the new one. For those who do have to go through this, note that you only want to transfer *some* of the folders in the AppData folder. Transfer the ones only in association with non-Microsoft programs. Basically, look at the folders (that reside in the new AppData\Local folder) in your new user account. When you transfer from the old account to the new one, make sure you do not replace or overwrite any existing folders in the new AppData\Local location. Other than that folder, the rest of them (documents, music, pictures, etc.) can be copied completely without a single problem. Hope this helps someone else in the future!

 

[richc46]

Now, back up with the native system image or use your own software. If this ever happens again and you keep the image up to date; it will not be difficult.
That being said, Im glad that you sorted it out.