Disappearing Vista Start Menu

My pc locked up and had to be restored and now the start menu disappear
but will return after pc is on for about 4-5 hours sometimes and when
try to type anything in emails or browser or anywhere else, I can'
because 4's fill up every available space. I can't do anything becaus
my programs are gone, I can't see any of them and I cannot writ
anything. Once in a while I can begin to type and the 4's won't appea
but this has been going on for almost 6 days now. Gateway Support keep
saying make a backup disc but I cannot see anything so how am I to d
this. And if it does by chance show the programs, I cannot type i
anything because of the 4's filling everything up. What is causing thi
and what is the cure? This has me very confused

--
Teen

Have a blessed day...........Teeny

Teeny wrote:

>
> My pc locked up and had to be restored and now the start menu disappears
> but will return after pc is on for about 4-5 hours sometimes and when I
> try to type anything in emails or browser or anywhere else, I can't
> because 4's fill up every available space. I can't do anything because
> my programs are gone, I can't see any of them and I cannot write
> anything. Once in a while I can begin to type and the 4's won't appear
> but this has been going on for almost 6 days now. Gateway Support keeps
> saying make a backup disc but I cannot see anything so how am I to do
> this. And if it does by chance show the programs, I cannot type in
> anything because of the 4's filling everything up. What is causing this
> and what is the cure? This has me very confused.

Ah, Gateway support. Bless their incompetent little hearts. This sounds to
me like your video card (and possibly the keyboard because of the "4s") is
failing. Of course, without being able to see the machine that's just an
educated guess based on what you've written.

If this is a laptop, it will definitely have to go back to Gateway for
repair/replacement for video hardware issues. If this is a desktop still
under warranty, you should exercise that warranty. If this is a desktop out
of warranty, you might want to uninstall the video card (or add a PCI-e
card if the graphics are on the motherboard) and try a known-working one.
You might want to start by swapping out the keyboard since that's an easy
and cheap troubleshooting step.

Another easy way to determine if this is hardware or software (Windows) is
to boot with a Linux Live CD such as Knoppix or Ubuntu. If the system runs
perfectly under Linux, then you know it isn't hardware and Windows is
messed up. Then restoring to factory condition (after retrieving any data
that you forgot to back up by using the Linux Live CD and an external hard
drive) is the way to go. If your Gateway didn't come with physical restore
CDs, have them send you a set. The cost is usually nominal. That way you'll
be able to boot with the restore disk and not deal with not being able to
see things.

All of the above (except for returning the machine to Gateway) requires a
certain level of computer skills. You know yourself best and will have to
decide if the right course of action is to take the machine to a competent
local tech. I don't suggest using a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of
place.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Hello Teeny

It sounds like you may need to restore your OEM Vista back to factor
defaults (clean reisntall).

If you have a Vista Recovery CD, then you can use it to do this

If not, then this will help show you how to for a Gateway computer wit
a recovery partition. Click on Yes after clicking on the link to see th
instructions

https://support.gateway.com/s/softwa...515910su9.shtm

If you cannot see to do this, then you may be able to boot to th
'*_Advanced_Boot_Options_*
(http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...t-options.html
screen and select the *Repair your computer* option to boot from you
recovery partition to do a Restore to factory default.

Hope this helps
Shaw

--
Brin

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not as
them.*
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