Dells Window shell will not respond

***Corey*** · 11-11-2008, 07:37 AM

Here is a weird one I have never seen before, and it is not spyware or a virus.
On my Dell Inspiron 1720 with Windows Vista Home it just started this yesterday after I woke it up from about a four day hibernation.
I hardly ever shut the laptop down, I let it go into standby after about an hour after the screen goes blank.
If you then let it sit in standby mode for about twenty hours, it hibernates by powering down all the way.
Then you have to push the power button to awake it, and it goes into Windows again where you left off.

Yesterday after I woke it up, the Windows shell would not respond.
I could move the cursor with both the wireless mouse and the touch pad.
But when you mouse over the Start button, any of the shortcuts in the sys tray or desktop and pushed them, you get the hourglass/busy icon for the cursor.
If you let it go for awhile, a message will pop up that Windows Explorer is not responding.

I can then use CTRL/ALT/DEL to assess the task manager, and there is nothing running that should not be.
I have tried to enter safe mode to no avail, the text locks up at chkdisc, and I have to reboot.
It then will do a diagnostics on its own, then enter Windows after a bit, but the same thing.

Anyone seen this situation before?
Going to call Dell today and see what they say.
I do have the Dell Restore on a partition of the hard drive, and also on the DVD that came with the system, but that will be a last resort.

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ozziesironmanoffroad · 11-11-2008, 07:42 AM

rebooting it doesnt work?

***Corey*** · 11-11-2008, 07:49 AM

Oh its been rebooted several times or a few hours, nothing.
Since I have to do a hard shutdown, it wants me to select
safemode
safemode with networking
Regular old Windows
nothing works.

It shows up in the home network on my main gaming PC, but when you try to access it, then my main PC gets the hourglass icon as the laptop is taking to long to respond back by saying it is ready to share files.

Nothing important was saved on it, and I can use the Firefox bookmarks from my main PC, bit it ticks me off if I have to start from scratch on it and due the countless reinstall of apps I put on.

toyospearo · 11-11-2008, 07:54 AM

Get a Mac

ozziesironmanoffroad · 11-11-2008, 07:54 AM

i hear ya. yeah id call dell, but their CS sucks. they told my dad that his processor went bad when his comp stopped working, i tightened the plug on the motherboard, and whala, works again. dell sucks. we paid 60 bucks for wrong information... lol.

***Corey*** · 11-11-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyospearo

Get a Mac

He he, not an option since I run apps that only are for PC.

I will call them up in a bit.
I have a feeling I will be doing a system restore on it by wiping the drive.

mjwalfredo · 11-11-2008, 08:50 AM

I don't know a whole lot about Windows anymore but I wonder if it would help if you ran chkdisk from the restore dvd? That is if the DVD even allows you to run chkdisk without reimaging.

Your disk is most likely contains corrupt data. I hope it is not getting ready to kick the bucket on you. But if you can repair the errors by booting from any media other than the hard drive, you might be ok.

***Corey*** · 11-11-2008, 11:51 AM

All fixed, and for free!
Although I just spent $500 with them

OK, I called Dell support, gave them my service tag number from the unit, and we went from there.

I bought this last December, so I had one more month on the in home warranty.
What we did was try system restore with Windows, did not work.
We tried disc repair, did not work.
However on the last attempt I was able to access the Start button and a browser, but then it would freeze.

What we ended up doing was using the Dell factory restore option via the F8 key and put it to day one out of the box.
Only way to fix it.

He explained what happened.
Like I mentioned above, I never shut it off.
I let it go to sleep, and then if I do not use it within twenty hours, it hibernates.
It however continues to receive updates to my apps, and when I fired it back up the system had a major meltdown with the Registry file.
Trying to fix the disc errors helped it some, hence why I was able to access a few things, but it was still corrupt.

We both felt it would be good to put it back to day one.
We did also try the Windows system restore where it puts it back to the last good configuration, but it was corrupt.

All my fault from letting it hibernate.
He said this can also happen when it is in sleep mode for the twenty hour period before it shuts down to the hibernation mode.

So let this be a lesson to some of you who also do this, do not do it.
So how did I spend $500?
They offered to extend my warranty out for another four years at $362, and I bought two x 2 GB RAM chips.
My laptop has two GB now, and that is the minimum for running Vista since the OS takes up one GB of memory to run it.

I should have got four GB when I bought it.
My two chips now will comes out, and the new ones will take their place.

The warranty also covers any damage to the laptop, and I will receive a free one if the repairs are to severe.
Also I have in home warranty as before.

Now the fun begins, I have to restore my apps which will take a few weeks or longer, as I do not feel like being a prisoner in my PC chair for eight straight hours.
Benn there/done that many a time with my desktops after formatting them.

Will get the OS updates today, but do the other crap on the weekend when I have free time.

It should fly a lot faster with four GB of RAM.
Never cracked open a laptop before, but he will walk me through it when I am ready.

The OS restore from Dell is pretty cool, as it is contained on a partition of the hard drive and puts it to the day it arrived to me.

**Lysmachia** · 11-11-2008, 12:25 PM

I don;t think that is just a Dell issue. Allways hibernating and never rebooting can be tough on any computer for a myriade of reasons.

***Corey*** · 11-11-2008, 12:58 PM

Yeah, this is the first PC I have had where I have used the hibernation feature.
I am trying to find in Vista how to turn off auto Windows updates, as I do not like it to do that.

Windows releases new updates the 2nd Tuesday of each month, I just updated all three of my PCs.
But auto update is on for Vista on the laptop, and I want it off.
I have had snafus with auto updates in the past, I prefer to do it manually each month.

Putting files back on it now...

DudeBud · 11-11-2008, 04:19 PM

right click my computer, then down in the left corner under see also you should see windows update then settings you should be able to find it in there.

BT17R · 11-11-2008, 04:26 PM

What a nightmare, Corey. Glad you got it running at least.

Here's a link that might help. It's for a free older version of Acronis True Image, a highly rated backup program you can run from things like a separate HDD partition it'll create for you, a thumb drive or the other usual backup devices. It's for Seagate drive owners, but I've read online that it works for other drives, too. It used to sell for $80 and I've read reviews that say it's still as good or better than other v. through 11.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.js...00dd04090aRCRD

***Corey*** · 11-12-2008, 04:20 AM

Thanks Bud, will try that when I get home from work today.

Bob, I have heard of that software before.
I am going to pick up a small USB external drive for the laptop to store stuff on.
Yesterday I was using my flash thumb drive to transfer files from the big PC to the laptop, as I have not setup a home network for the laptop.
That is coming this weekend when I have spare time.

I have a VGA/sound cable coming Friday, this will be fun hooking it up to the new 40" LCD TV.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...3430&sku=43098

11-11-2008, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,643	rebooting it doesnt work? __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

11-11-2008, 07:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,018	Oh its been rebooted several times or a few hours, nothing. Since I have to do a hard shutdown, it wants me to select safemode safemode with networking Regular old Windows nothing works. It shows up in the home network on my main gaming PC, but when you try to access it, then my main PC gets the hourglass icon as the laptop is taking to long to respond back by saying it is ready to share files. Nothing important was saved on it, and I can use the Firefox bookmarks from my main PC, bit it ticks me off if I have to start from scratch on it and due the countless reinstall of apps I put on. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

11-11-2008, 07:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
toyospearo Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: way way nor cal Posts: 1,553	Get a Mac __________________ 94 Ext. cab 22re Aussied, 4.88's, SAS,ed, FLATBED, Old Man Emu rear leafs w/TG 5.5" shackles, TG sliders, LC Header, Marlin super HD clutch, 32's- Swamper TSL's- RC rims, Badland Bumper, lifted, lighted, LED'ed, Warned, alternatored (LC High ouput), Hammed, gusseted, trussed, etc, etc... My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/great-w...ck-sas-164531/ My Flatbed build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f88/toyospea...-build-191787/

11-11-2008, 07:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,643	i hear ya. yeah id call dell, but their CS sucks. they told my dad that his processor went bad when his comp stopped working, i tightened the plug on the motherboard, and whala, works again. dell sucks. we paid 60 bucks for wrong information... lol. __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

11-11-2008, 08:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
mjwalfredo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blythewood, SC Posts: 621	I don't know a whole lot about Windows anymore but I wonder if it would help if you ran chkdisk from the restore dvd? That is if the DVD even allows you to run chkdisk without reimaging. Your disk is most likely contains corrupt data. I hope it is not getting ready to kick the bucket on you. But if you can repair the errors by booting from any media other than the hard drive, you might be ok. __________________ -Marcus 1997 4Runner Limited 4x4, E-Locker, Bilstein HDs, Air Springs, Deckplate Mod, 265/75/16R Bridgestone Deuler A/T Revo

11-11-2008, 11:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,018	All fixed, and for free! Although I just spent $500 with them OK, I called Dell support, gave them my service tag number from the unit, and we went from there. I bought this last December, so I had one more month on the in home warranty. What we did was try system restore with Windows, did not work. We tried disc repair, did not work. However on the last attempt I was able to access the Start button and a browser, but then it would freeze. What we ended up doing was using the Dell factory restore option via the F8 key and put it to day one out of the box. Only way to fix it. He explained what happened. Like I mentioned above, I never shut it off. I let it go to sleep, and then if I do not use it within twenty hours, it hibernates. It however continues to receive updates to my apps, and when I fired it back up the system had a major meltdown with the Registry file. Trying to fix the disc errors helped it some, hence why I was able to access a few things, but it was still corrupt. We both felt it would be good to put it back to day one. We did also try the Windows system restore where it puts it back to the last good configuration, but it was corrupt. All my fault from letting it hibernate. He said this can also happen when it is in sleep mode for the twenty hour period before it shuts down to the hibernation mode. So let this be a lesson to some of you who also do this, do not do it. So how did I spend $500? They offered to extend my warranty out for another four years at $362, and I bought two x 2 GB RAM chips. My laptop has two GB now, and that is the minimum for running Vista since the OS takes up one GB of memory to run it. I should have got four GB when I bought it. My two chips now will comes out, and the new ones will take their place. The warranty also covers any damage to the laptop, and I will receive a free one if the repairs are to severe. Also I have in home warranty as before. Now the fun begins, I have to restore my apps which will take a few weeks or longer, as I do not feel like being a prisoner in my PC chair for eight straight hours. Benn there/done that many a time with my desktops after formatting them. Will get the OS updates today, but do the other crap on the weekend when I have free time. It should fly a lot faster with four GB of RAM. Never cracked open a laptop before, but he will walk me through it when I am ready. The OS restore from Dell is pretty cool, as it is contained on a partition of the hard drive and puts it to the day it arrived to me. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

11-11-2008, 12:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,018	Yeah, this is the first PC I have had where I have used the hibernation feature. I am trying to find in Vista how to turn off auto Windows updates, as I do not like it to do that. Windows releases new updates the 2nd Tuesday of each month, I just updated all three of my PCs. But auto update is on for Vista on the laptop, and I want it off. I have had snafus with auto updates in the past, I prefer to do it manually each month. Putting files back on it now... __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

11-11-2008, 04:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
DudeBud Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA ,monroe Posts: 1,886	right click my computer, then down in the left corner under see also you should see windows update then settings you should be able to find it in there. __________________ Dan 95 4runner 3vze A/T 84 4runner sr5 Ford 302 T-18 4spd yota t-case yota front and rear both open 37X13.00 boggers 88 4runner 22re 5spd

11-11-2008, 04:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	What a nightmare, Corey. Glad you got it running at least. Here's a link that might help. It's for a free older version of Acronis True Image, a highly rated backup program you can run from things like a separate HDD partition it'll create for you, a thumb drive or the other usual backup devices. It's for Seagate drive owners, but I've read online that it works for other drives, too. It used to sell for $80 and I've read reviews that say it's still as good or better than other v. through 11. http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.js...00dd04090aRCRD __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

11-12-2008, 04:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,018	Thanks Bud, will try that when I get home from work today. Bob, I have heard of that software before. I am going to pick up a small USB external drive for the laptop to store stuff on. Yesterday I was using my flash thumb drive to transfer files from the big PC to the laptop, as I have not setup a home network for the laptop. That is coming this weekend when I have spare time. I have a VGA/sound cable coming Friday, this will be fun hooking it up to the new 40" LCD TV. http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...3430&sku=43098 __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

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