Vista loads desktop then freezes

Based on the situation, I would suggest perform system restore from system recovery options to check the result. If it does not work, we may backup the critical data to the external hard drive first. To do this, please refer to the following suggestions:. Retail Windows Vista. This menu will include:. The recovery media will automatically launch the Recovery Environment. For example, if the recovery media is on a CD, the machine needs to be configured to boot from CD.

This requires that OEMs ship the media. Please select Command Prompt. Insert the external hard disk to the USB port. The external hard disk will be assigned a drive letter automatically. Log in. Install the app. Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser.

It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Windows boots to the desktop then freezes. Thread starter dieselcat18 Start date Jun 9, Joined Aug 7, Messages 0. The mouse moves fine but is not able to click on and open anything. The hour glass just keeps rotating like it's waiting for windows to finish loading up.

Her PC has been running flawlessly for several years all the while maintaining it with the proper anti-virus and spy-ware programs run on a timely schedule. I switched her keyboard out to a new one several days ago before any of this started and thought that may be an issue, but by switching back to the old one it had no effect. Just before this freeze up problem started, she told me that the Avast anti-virus program she uses sent her an update that there was a newer version available and asked if she wanted to download it.

She did and indicated to install the free version, which she uses. Once the update stared it continued on for a very long period of time with out finishing. I checked it later that evening and found the Avast update to be still running and decided to cancel it but had a hard time doing so. I finally was able to close it out but was unable to restart her PC so I shut it down using the power button, let it sit for several minutes, then started it up again.

The hour glass keeps rotating and the mouse is not able to click on and open anything at all. I don't know if this is a hardware or software issue or if that on-line upgrade for the anti-virus program had anything to do with this problem. My main concern is getting the PC to load up properly and not lose existing folders and programs on her HHD.

Most of her files and folders are already backed up to an external HHD, but there are a few folders that haven't been backed up as of yet. Sorry for the long drawn out explanation, but if anyone can offer any suggestions or advice on how I might be able to figure out and solve the problem causing this, I would really appreciate it. Joined Dec 13, Messages 0. The ones that are checked are enabled.

Make a note of which ones are enabled so that you can go back to them later if need be. Then uncheck them all. Boot normally. When you get to the login screen which comes before the desktop , click the power button in the lower-right corner of the screen. While holding down Shift on your keyboard, click Restart and then release Shift. In Windows 8. The See more recovery options link is below the other tiles you see on the screen.

When the computer reboots and the Startup Settings menu appears, press 4 for Safe Mode.