Slow Start-up, Weird Resolution, No Start Menu...

[red_devil52]

I tried to install a new printer yesterday and I got an error telling me to restart. I turned the computer on this morning and it took about 30 minutes before I could actually open any programs etc and there's no start menu and the resolution is messed up. Whenever an error comes up on screen, I get a beep from the computer (not through the speakers). Any suggestions on how to fix it?

[Eezak]

It would be helpful if you would give us a little more info about your computer. Which version of Windows is installed on it for starters? I'm going to assume that it's WinXP.

Have you tried booting up to the Desktop in Safe Mode? (Boot the computer and start tapping on the F8 key until you see the Advanced Menu appear and then select the Boot up in Safe Mode option to see if that works.)

If you need more info about Safe Mode go here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

If you can boot up in Safe Mode and the Taskbar and My Computer work, then maybe you can use System Restore to roll things back to the way they were before you attempted to install the new printer?

For more help using System Restore go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...emrestore.mspx

Finally, if System Restore doesn't help (or if you're ambitious and want to try a more demanding and rigorous cure right off the bat), I've seen this link posted a number of times here at MajorGeeks ("Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands"):

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=313

Ideally before you attempt any of these solutions you'd do a full backup of your hard drive, but I guess if you were able to do that you wouldn't be in this spot in the first place.

Good luck!