Put the operating system disk in. Restart the computer so it boots from it. Look for the repair option.

Or

Running system file checker is a good idea. I will provide a link for running System File checker, see if you can run it.

Here is a link that might be useful: System file checker couple posts down in this thread.

If the computer will boot to the Advanced Options Menu, by holding down the F8 key during the restart. The option to "Repair Your Computer" is in the list at the top, select it and hit enter.

Zep has the right idea, start there with System File Checker and/or Repair and see what happens. If you use SFC and there are corrupt files you will be asked to insert the operating system CD so it can extract the needed files. You will also need to install updates too because if the computer takes files from the CD they will be outdated in many cases. Not the end of the world but something to check for once you are back to normal.

I suspect you 4 system recovery discs are a complete back up of the computer as it was at the time you created the set.

Is this a brand name or home build?

Thank You zep and owbist

I have run the repair option and nothing has changed.

I haven't done the file check yet and was wondering if it has to be run from the admin. account?

(Haven't read the link you gave me yet zep) 8)

I can't do anything that takes admin rights! 8(

zep

Just read the scan file link and I'm afraid that it wont work.

Anything that I try from the main administrator's 'Run' window automatically brings up the Windows Explorer has stopped working message and returns me to the black screen.

In fact Everything brings up that message.

If I am not mistaken, there should be a "Last known good configuration" option in F8 as well

Try genes Last Know.... as posted above.

at any point cam you open the task manger? If so look for explore.exe right click it choose "End Process" stay in the task Manger and above click "File" click "New Task" in the box enter explore.exe

That's explorer.exe

A BSOD means hard facts with important numbers existed. Those who better know this stuff are silenced when your help is shorted of useful facts - especially numbers.

Since Task Manager works, then important facts are also in that display. But again, you did not report what was most useful.

You are trying to fix something without first identifying the problem. Which side of the fence has failed - the hardware side or software side? You did not even answer that question before trying to fix things. A procedure that sometimes exponentially complicates a problem.

If your computer is from a more responsible manufacturer, then it came with comprehensive hardware diagnostics on the hard drive, on a CD, and on the web site. All computer manufacturers have them. But only more responsible manufacturers provide them. Start there to learn on which side of a fence lies a defect.

Your system stores other facts so that a problem can be identified long before trying to fix anything. View the system (event) logs and Device Manager.

I could probably suggest another 100 things to fix based upon wild speculation. Solutions best begin with hard facts and numbers such as in each BSOD.

Solutions best begin with hard facts and numbers such as in each BSOD.

Good point! But the user has a Black screen, not a blue screen of death, So no blue screen numbers were generated on screen. Also no .dmp files were created like a blue screen fatal error would have, no mini dump file to read!!!!

Had it been a blue screen we would have the user download whocrased from here http://www.resplendence.com/downloads This program checks for any drivers which may have been causing your computer to crash, that would have been a good start. Blue screen view is another good tool that could have been employed.

Using event viewer is a good start here if the user can get in to it.

Hi zep and everyone

I can pull up the Task Manager but no matter what new event I try to run under 'new task' brings up the Windows Explorer has stopped working message.

It looks like explorer is either completely corrupted or not there at all .. I just can't be sure.

On that "Last known good configuration" in safe mode suggestion .. I have tried it as well as a system restore and both have failed to restore my screen.

zep, when I start task manager, there is no explorer showing in processes and when I put explorer.exe in the run box .. I get that Windows Explorer has stopped working message!

Everything that I do brings up that %$#& message.

You did try this right.

In the task manager at the top you will see File, options view, help Click on file, then click new task, type in explorer.exe

Just want to make sure you did it that way.

What about the operating disk you have?

Did you insert it into the drive, then restart the computer. See if there is a repair you computer option. If you are currently on a vista or win 7 computer you can make a repair disk like daylilydaz was talking about a few weeks ago.

Also that disk should have access to a command prompt, where you could run System file checker from it.

zep
I was able to run the sfc\scannow but after it was done I got the message that some of the files couldn't be fixed.

I tried to access the logs but at that point everything freezes, including the Task Manager.

I am seriously thing about doing a whole system re-install!

I have the Operating System Disc.

What do you think?

Would that fix the problem zep?

Any dangers in a re-install.

I Think it's called a 'destructive install'?

If you choose to reinstall you will lose all date, pictures, etc. I would suggest using a Linux live disk to save it to a thumb drive or other storage media before reinstalling.

After doing SFC and getting failure notices I personally would wipe the drive and start over. Bob is correct of course, you need to save you personal data first. As he says, using the Linux, any flavour will do, you can boot and save the needed data. If you are like me you will still forget to save some of it, such is life I s'pose.

As you have one disk with the operating system and 4 others with what you feel is a backup you did way back I suggest you use those 4 disks first. That way you will not be hunting for needed drivers as they will all be there to re-create the computer to how it was the day you created the disk image. You will still need to install any other stuff that you had installed after that date so try to find the appropriate software CDs.

You never did answer my first post as to whether this is a store bought computer or a home build. If it is a home build you should have a CD with drivers etc pertinent to the specific motherboard installed. This is important if you elect to use the operating system CD to re-install Windows

Thanks bob414

I have my pictures and videos backed up, online with a site called SugarSync.

I am in the process of uploading my documents to Google Docs because I can't access the docs using my main account.

With SugarSync you have to be able to get to the folders to check mark them for uploading 8(

I wish that there was some way to save my 'paid for' apps like Winpatrol and malwarebytes pro though!

I have a number of paid for apps that I am afraid I am going to lose.

Why would you lose any paid apps? You have the serial number, simply install each and add the serial number when asked. If there is any problem email the provider, they are usually pretty good with that stuff.

We had an issue once when I wiped my wife's computer Pop Cap refused to accept the serial number. I emailed them and they provided a new number saying each number was good for only one install. Guess they hoped most folks would simply buy again, I don't give in that easy.

Sorry owbist

My pc is a bought off the shelf pc from costco and came with the Operating System Re-install disc.

I was prompted to create the 4 recovery disks when I first started the pc but .. I didn't do that for at least a year! 8)

I have serial #s but like everything else, they are in one of the folders that I can't get to! 8((

OK so now you are to the decision point and waffling. Understandable. Been there often enough. However once you really get started there is little to do really. Use those 4 recovery CDs and re-install. You will need to rid it of the bloatware, install and update safety programs and Windows updates then try to get the thing to your liking.

Even Windows will not be exactly as before, never understood that part but it seems to always happen. No big deal, you just wonder why.

Usually with a wipe I can be up and running in about 3 hours and back to normal with a few hours more. You do not have to nurse the computer for those 3 hours, just show up to change to the next CD when prompted then grab safety stuff and updates.

owbist

Are you suggesting that I use the 4 recovery disks and not the Operating System re-install disc that came with the pc?

I would use the disk that came with it.

Yes I am suggesting you use the 4 disks you made. What have you to lose except time? You created those 4 CDs as laid out by the manufacturer so all the programs and all the drivers are present to enable you to return this computer to factory defaults. Yes, you then have to remove the bloatware but that is not hard just time consuming.

If you elect to use the single Windows operating system disk you had better first find all the needed drivers for LAN, sound,video, chipsets and all other motherboard drivers required to make the thing go. This will save removing the bloat but the problem of obtaining the correct drivers might be more than a simple task. Google the make and model seeing you have never listed it and see if you can find the right drivers, hoping it is not a Dell as they make life harder to get those drivers.

You could get to those folders and get the serial numbers with a linux live disk.

I was thinking that the disk that came with the computer is not a true retail operating disk, but a recovery type disk that came with the computer and designed for that computer. That being said the other 4 disks would be fine as well.

I came back to let you all know how appreciative I am for your help.

I had to walk away from this thing (PC) for a couple of days .. I had just had enough of the cr@p! 8)

Had to replace a bad video card not 3 days before this mess!

I think that a start up program in the Admin account is causing the problem.

Problem is .. Nothing changes even when I use msconfig and stop all the programs and try a restart.

I have a Ubuntu disc that I might try to access my folders with?

Zep, the single disc came with this pc from Gateway and re-installs the operating system.

That is why I can't figure out WHY Gateway also wanted me to make those 4 recovery disks?

Well anyway .. I have a lot of my 'stuff' backed up on SugarSync and Google Docs and am just working up the nerve to do a clean install!

I'm scared because I've never done one before and .. "I Know" if anything can go wrong .. It probably will! 8(

Again .. Thank You Everyone.

If the single disk only restores the operating system you will have the problem with drivers that Owbist pointed out. You will have the bloatware to contend with using the 4 disks but the drivers will all be there. The Ubuntu disk should let you look around the hard drive to back up anything you don't have backed up off the hard drive.

What is Gateway System Recovery

See link maybe useful for you. All the drivers are there too just in case.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gateway Support

If the drivers are there I would use the single disk.

I'm not sure but I need your thoughts on this.

Everything was fine and I was in the process of creating a new folder .. following instructions from the following link.

GOD MODE

I did everything as per their instructions but .. the minute that I renamed the folder and clicked Enter .. My screen turned black and I am now in this mess!

This is where I think the problem is (coincidence?).. I just don't think so!?

There is no way to delete the folder as far as I can tell?

God mode was not successful with Vista 64 bit. It causes, as in your case, some 64 bit computers to crash. Not always but sufficiently so it should be avoided by those with 64 bit Vista computers.

This might work,

tried this on X64 bit vista without knowing it didn't work. What I did to stop explorer.exe from crashing was open my computer in safe mode with cmd prompt. I typed Control Panel into cmd prompt and it opened then went into the C:/users and then deleted the desktop folder. It stopped it. So whatever folder you put GMF in, find it and delete it and it will fix your explorer from crashing.

Well, the BSOD said what was wrong. Nobody could translate that information when you did not post those numbers. Further useful facts in the system (event) logs has now been destroyed by a nuke'n'pave.

You have fixed many perfectly good things using hardware that was questionable. So now the problem is exponentially complicated.

Learn from the experience. You fixed things without first learning what was defective. Destroyed or withheld information that could have identified that defect. And may now have multiple failures. The problems has been made exponentially more complex.

I could walk you through the recovery process. But it will be long due to so many unnecessary changes and now so many other questionable items. Recovery means changes only after a defect is identified.

The BSOD said what is defective. Post that information if still available. Get whatever is found in the new system logs. And buy or borrow a multimeter.

Also learn this. Better computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware diagnostics for free on the hard drive, on a CD-rom, and on their web site. All manufacturers have them. But only the better manufacturers provide them. Your problem is why diagnostics exist and are so useful. To see the defect immediately. Because they cut costs (did not provide diagnostics), then notice how confused you have become. Another useful fact for when you next buy a new computer.

It was not a blue screen! It was a black screen. There were no numbers.

Other data such as the system (event) logs and Device Manager contain relevant facts. Good diagnostic procedure says first collect facts while changing nothing. Fixing comes later after the actual problem is identified. Most of what was changed was irrelevant to a black screen - which is not a BSOD. The most relevant facts (to obtain better help) come with numbers.