I'm on my brothers PC. Last night I was trying to download PowerDVD6's trial version, it said "First you must download DirectX".

So I download DirectX from Microsoft's site and it is installing and everything, when it finishes it starts to reboot like many programs do. When my desktop wallpaper comes back up it returns to the welcome screen where my icon is. So I can either load my personal settings to my desktop, or "Stand by, Shut down, Restart."

I clicked my icon, but all it does is show my wallpaper without my icons for about 20 seconds before returning to the screen with my windows icon.

The day before I uninstalled a program and I had to reboot afterwards, but I forgot and didn't do it. I dunno if that has to do with it. So basically I cannot log on my desktop settings.

What operating system are you using DV?

If you are usinmg Windows XP you should be able to use system restore to take all the setttings back a day or two.

Try doing a System Restore to three days ago.

How do I do that? All I can do is fail at trying to load my desktop, or Stand By, Shut Down, or Restart. I tried "Stand By" but all it did was go to a screen with no icons and stay there.

Load it in you brother's profile and try it.

Go to > All programms > Accessories > System tools > System restore

Go to "Start", "Programs", "Accessories", "System Tools" and "System Restore". A little calendar will pop up, and you need to pick a Restore Date. It should take only a few minutes, and its a reversible process if something goes wrong (which shouldn't happen).

But I can't get to my desktop. Only my wallpaper appears, without the icons and tool bar. Then it goes back to the other screen.

DV,

I am NOT a computer expert, but I downloaded SP2 a couple months ago, and it screwed up my computer. I ran "System Restore" by going to "My Programs, then "view system info", where there is a "system restore". It took a long time (like a couple hours) but I went back to a day or so before I downloaded SP2, then it worked fine. Just make sure you DON'T do "System Recovery".

Btw, while we are on computer woes, ever since I did the restore, I still keep getting the little "uptdate" that SP2 is ready to install. How do I get rid of it, so I don't keep gettting the "update" reminder???

TIS

I don't have my desktop though, I have no access to it.

Try booting into Safe Mode and running a System Restore or booting the Last Known Good Configuration. For either of these, tap the F8 key immediately after powering on and until the boot menu is displayed, then select the appropriate option.

I was waiting for F5A to respond....it seems he's beating me by a minute, or two.

The "Safe Mode" start SHOULD do it.

Great minds think alike!

:D

OK wait, how do I get into Safe Mode? Do I wait until the black loading screen comes up wit the Windows logo and the "1985-2003" or whatever comes up, then press F8?

As soon as the pc starts to power up, keep hitting the F8 key.

As soon as you power the computer start tapping the F8 button.

Hey.... I beat F5A this time. :p

But F8 will not work on XP. Then you need a windows xp setup cd-rom.

Thanks. I'll go try it. So what is safe mode? What CAN'T I do in it?

I have XP, and where is the system restore if this works?

:p Too busy posting on the "Lets break the record" thread!

OK, now I'm confused. I have Windows XP, what do I do step by step. :p

I'm kind of on a time limit. I have to do two reports on my PC, and shovel the drive way all before 3:00, so if anyone has the answer... :p

F8 does work with XP (I've just done it).

Power up the computer and tap F8 repeatedly. This will give you the option to either start in safe mode or go to system restore. Choose SR. Then choose the option to restore to a previous date. Go for a date that was before the download that started all the problems.

I tried it, but I didn't tap repeatedly. I only tapped when it turned on, when the logo came on, and when the screen with my icon came up.

I'll try again. How long does a system restore take?

OK, I got several options, one of them is "Directory Services Restore Mode"

Should I do that?

It shouldn't take long but it depends on how far back you want to restore to.

A few days worth should only take 5-10 mins

Is it "Directory Services Restore Mode"?

Is there not an option for a system restore?

I don't see one. There are three different safe modes, Boot Logging, VGA mode, La Known Good configuration, and Debugging mode.

Boot in safe mode and navigate to system restore

Go to > All programms > Accessories > System tools > System restore