Inaccessible Windows Basic Functions

soulcat no mate just run that memtest as suggested and it is just a matter of narrowing down which stick it is that is bad if you have any bad. So if you get errors come up then you will have to try the test again with each stick, and sometimes that involves using the different slots.

When you find the bad stick just replace it it nothing more than that if the problem is bad RAM

Now the test should as you know run for at least 8 passes except if you get errors come up fairly quickly then you can start that other stick by stick process.

I do however notice you have 5GB Ram in the machine that seems to be an unusual GB count and tells me that you have sticks of various sizes in. So if you have to buy RAM then make sure you but a stick or sticks of equal value and if possible are made from the same batch of sticks they will be far more likely to be evenly matched together. For example if you have two slots then 2X2GB or 2x4GB four slots the same thing trying to keep them evenly set.

yes mate that is right if the errors come up fairly quickly then take out a stick and test again if the errors come up quickly again then it narrows it down to at least that stick and then test the one you take out if that comes back bad then you will need to replace both.

Now I am assuming that you have two sticks in and I am suspecting that you will find one might be 4GB and the other 2GB or most unusual 1GB. If that be the case test the smaller one first (2GB or 1GB) if the test comes up errors then the larger one.

Without checking the specs on the machine I am guessing it is a two slot machine so it should be a straight forward job.

soulcat I have just looked up that Dell manual site and it is telling me that it can be fitted with 1, 2, and 4GB sticks. ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-produ...uide_en-us.pdf You will also see that it states that it is best run in even number amounts of RAM (4,6 and 8GB supported) so again I am guessing Dell in their wisdom have flipped in an extra 1GB of RAM for a comfort zone.

As you are running a 32bit OS then you are more than ok with the 5GB if indeed that is what is in the machine. If you were to go with a 64bit OS then you would at the very least need 4GB and probably better off with 8GB and as the board has four slots if I were you and wanted to replace the RAM then I would go with a set of two matched sticks to either 4x2GB or 2x4GB or 1x8GB. The lesser the number the better it will be of course for both matching the sticks and ease of testing if it is ever needed.

While you are in here have a good look around for dirt / crud call it what you will but most importantly that it is reasonably clean especially the CPU and cooler fins. But first make sure you ground yourself on the case or some other earthing object to remove any static electricity that has built up on you.

I use a hogs hair brush (cheap artists brushes) and a vacuum for cleaning some prefer a compressed air can either way it still drags air across the components and can build up a charge of static but the risk is low of doing damage unless you are very careless. You can also take this chance to reseat all the cables and any cards you have in there but if in doubt - please ask anyone can guide you.

Sorry late reply mate but am at work about to leave for home and bed but in reply lets just see what the RAM test comes up first then we can go from there. Strange you should have 3x2GB and it is showing 5GB RAM though maybe just a glitch in the system.

Get this little program when you can it very comprehensive when it is getting specs on the machine a lot of us use this but make sure you DO NOT download the other advertised programs like LAN sweeper and the one directly below the opening screen and this link might take you straight to the site you need and that is the 32bit version. HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download If in doubt post back I shall be at home tomorrow before night duty that night so you mat have to be patient.

Matt I am now a bit stumped myself and I am thinking perhaps you had better back up all of your data you need and maybe look at a reinstall using this little ditty I made up below. This suggestion will also get rid of any bloatware Dell have on the machine.
If you decide to go down this track then I would do the updates in small batches when they start to pour in. I always set my updates to the setting in the pic.


REINSTALL

Forinstalling I prefer a disk to be honest but if you want to try again this isthe one to follow
CleanReinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 make sureit is the right version ie Home Premium or Ultimate whatever you have a codefor and then the language and do not use the ones with a large "N" or"old" beside them. If you are wondering why the N it is because that will not include the Windows Media Player and while it is not much to get it it is tedious.
You can use a disk or USB stick with this.

No mate just run as is see pics in the small pic hit where I have circled and in the larger pic the small window can be slid over by just hold and drop out of the way. Go to the main window and it will open out with so many details it will blow you away.

The little update window never does anything for me so I just get rid of it.