 Son's Brand New Laptop |
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 Oct 14 2007, 04:34 PM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 11 Joined: 11-November 06 Member No.: 94,960  |
I set it all up nicely for him with AVG, Zonealarm firewall, spy stuff too etc. Off he went to uni. I visited him last week and he wanted to show me stuff on his computer. When the zonealarm popup came on he just clicked on allow. I was gobsmacked. I tried to explain to him not to do this. He's been away about a month and uses his computer for all the typical teen stuff. Anyway, tonight I got a text. My computer won't let me log on. I called him. Apparently he gets to the log on screen and logs on. But then he just gets a black screen. I thought it sounded pretty horrible. I told him to log on in safe mode and see if it says at the bottom of the screen log on at the last successful log in (or something like that). I said if that doesn't work he'll have to re format his hard drive. Is this correct advice? I'm almost as computer illiterate as him. |
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Oct 14 2007, 07:04 PM
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 Still visually handicapped, new avatar :0) Group: Global Moderator Posts: 15,531 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
It depends on what he gets in Safe Mode - if he can get in, the first thing to try would be updated video drivers. Also, have him look in the Event Viewer (Start...type in "eventvwr.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter) - check in Windows Logs, then in Application and System.
-------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** BTW - the avatar pic is a camel as it looks back at me while I'm in the saddle (and he wasn't happy!) |
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Oct 15 2007, 01:01 AM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 52 Joined: 26-September 07 Member No.: 159,223 |
System Restore, a non-destructive option, is often the easiest fix.
In Vista, if you don't see it on the start menu just "search" for it, or run rstrui.exe It is also available in Vista from the F8 boot menu through the "repair" option which is normally there. This post has been edited by Rollin' Rog: Oct 15 2007, 01:02 AM -------------------- Microsoft MVP Shell/User
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Oct 15 2007, 01:30 AM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 11 Joined: 11-November 06 Member No.: 94,960 |
Thanks a lot. I've forwarded your advice to him.
I forgot to mention that he said that the computer was working slowly the last time that he used it. |
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Oct 15 2007, 05:48 AM
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 Bleepin' Night Watchman Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,975 Joined: 5-December 05 From: The City of Saint Francis, by the western sea Member No.: 43,307 |
Let us know!
--------------------  Social Lives Are Overrated. |
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Oct 19 2007, 10:13 AM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 11 Joined: 11-November 06 Member No.: 94,960 |
Oh well.
We seem to have sorted the problem out. The problem appeared to have been caused by the Windows update that had just occured. My son performed a system repair and so far all is well. Thanks once again for all of your support. |
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