Windows 10: 10 won't open anything (and i mean anything)

Hi all,

I have been tasked with "fixing" an older Lenovo G550 laptop that originally came with Windows 7 (I believe Home Edition). The laptop's owner upgraded to Windows 10 when it was available as a Windows Update. It has worked fine (after fixing a few, um, hiccups due to the upgrade) other than being very slow to boot/load.

As of about a week ago, owner reports his computer "won't do anything". After getting the laptop I have to agree with his assessment.

The computer loads to the desktop (it is a single-user install). All icons are visible and everything appears to be fine, but you can't actually interact with anything. Nothing on the taskbar will work (start menu, search bar, icons - clicking them appears to lock up the taskbar). Nothing on the desktop will open except the right-click menu. No programs will open, not even the task manager or command prompt. I am able to use Windows + R to get the run prompt, but nothing I type in will open. I was able to create an "msconfig" icon on the desktop via right-click, new - shortcut, but double-clicking the icon does nothing but produce a "spinny". CTRL+ALT+DEL works, but none of the options within that screen work. I can click reboot, which creates a "please wait..." screen that hangs forever. The computer can only be restarted with a hard reset.

Computer does not appear "busy" as though a task is running. It allows me to highlight items on the desktop (single-click) and I can right-click, so the mouse/trackpad is working.

I can't seem to use F8 or Shift+F8 to get to Safe Mode, either. Since this was an upgrade, and was purchased with software pre-installed, there is no boot media.

Any one had an issue like this before? Where to start?

:)

 

Windows 10 won't open anything

Hi,

A third-party program conflict can be the reason for this error.
To help us determine the appropriate troubleshooting steps, we would like to ask the following questions:

• What is the build and version of Windows that you’re using? To check, type
  winver in the Search box and send us a screenshot of the information window.
• If any, what error message did you receive?
• Have you made any recent changes before you encountered this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far to resolve your concern?

In the meantime, we recommend that you check this article on how to perform
a clean boot in Windows. This helps eliminate software conflict that occurs when you install a program or an update. You may also determine what conflict is causing the issue by performing this method.

Note: Please go through the section: How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting to boot the computer in normal startup after fixing the issue.

We look forward to your response.

 

Windows 10 won't open anything

I'm trying to open Steam, which many of you probably know is a program that allows you to buy and play games all in one place. Unfortunately, Windows 10 is refusing to open it. Refusing to open anything, for that matter. The only thing it will run is Discord,
a chat app, but only because it got put in the lower bar next to the date and time with other small icons. Not sure why, but everything else does not open. I wanted to play Garry's Mod, but that won't even run. Is this typical for Windows 10? It's happened
to me several times, but it seems to fix itself after a few hours. Yes, I've restarted and shut down my laptop, but it still doesn't run anything. This is really frustrating.

 

Welcome to the TenForums @Fleeting

To get to Safe mode in Windows 10, hold the shift key down and click restart. Full tutorial here

Safe Mode - Start Windows 10 in

You can get boot media here. As the machine was on Windows 10 should you decide to do a clean install the licensing will be handled by the MS servers, you do not need key. You also don't need to re-install older Windows, you can go right with Win 10.

Obviously a clean install, should you go that route, is just that, you need to protect data.

Windows 10 - Clean Install

When you restart your machine after holding down shift key and clicking restart you will see other options. Please take some care. While some options keep data others delete it.


Ken

 

Hi Ken

Thank you for the reply.

As stated in my post, it is not possible to do a reboot on this machine. The only thing I can do is a hard reset. (Push the power button in until it shuts off). Therefore I cannot enter "Safe Mode" unless there is a way to do it from the boot screen. (I find it very strange that Microsoft has removed this option - did they not think people would need it?)

I also am not authorized to do a clean install - this is not my computer. I could do a repair or use the boot media to get into safe mode if there is a way to do that.

I am hoping for a non-destructive way to get things working again and hoping someone has some options for me.

EDIT: I was able to get some boot options by following this thread (option 6) https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...a.html#option6

This basically says to turn your computer off while it's in the process of booting Windows so that Windows "detects a problem" and allows you to use advanced tools.

I selected the Command Prompt and ran sfc /scannow. After a short verification scan, I received a message "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation." I then ran "CHKDSK" and receive this message "Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected." (huh?)

Anything else I should try in the tools area?

Thanks!

 

Thats your problem disk is write protected remove protetection Disk Write Protection - Enable or Disable in Windows

 

How would it have gotten write-protected? This is the C drive (the Windows drive), not a removable drive. It worked fine for a long time and the users of the computer are not that knowledgeable. Wouldn't corruption be a more likely explanation? Especially seeing as how the Start Menu won't even open?

I just tried a System Restore, which failed stating there were errors in the restore file. sigh

 

Sorry? What is a common fault?

 

I think he is referring to the disk being write protected. Believe it has to do with Fast Startup and the way Windows last shutdown on that device.

Brink's tutorials are excellent.

I hear you that you don't have permission to start again however assuming you get back into the disk the first priority, in my opinion, should be to copy all the data out of the device.

Then attempt repairs and failing that ......


Ken.

 

Hi Ken, OK thanks for the clarification. I did look at his link and all of the instructions were for removable drives. This is for the C drive (main Windows drive).

Not really sure how to copy the data on the laptop, seeing as how I can't click on anything or open any windows. Would love to be able to back up his documents and photos though, if it's possible to do.

Thanks!

 

Option 3. Diskpart is very powerful.

Once unlocked you should be able to get data either through commands like robocopy or you remove disk and copy. There were some instructions the other day about moving it on disk. I prefer simple. I must look where G550 has its drive.


Ken

 

The disk isn't locked - chkdsk was failing and the error was a symptom - not a cause.

I did finally resolve the problem (see below)

I was able to get into safe mode by continually shutting off the computer during the OS boot. Safe mode actually worked just fine, and I was able to back up the owner's files, and run several disk checking commands like chkdsk and sfc /scannow and attempt System Restore. System Restore won't work - it says all the recovery points were "damaged or missing"

chkdsk reported errors (real errors this time, not "write protected"), so I booted the computer with The Ultimate Boot Disk and ran a sector scan of the hard drive (Western Digital) using DLGDIAG. This allowed me to determine that the hard disk is actually failing, which is why Windows isn't working (likely parts of the OS are on some failed sectors).

Resolution: ordering new hard disk.

Thanks for all the help!

 

Great outcome. Data safe and soon user will have a fresh OS.


Ken