Vista - no system info

I've been given a laptop by a friend of my wife. The laptop which is non-badged so I don't know exactly what it is. The system boots apparently OK but if you try and run anyhting to do with the system such as msconfig, system information, device manager - that sort of thing the system will hang for 30 seconds or so then retrn to the desktop without running any program. Task manager also does not run. I've tried booting to Safe Mode and that will give me a blackscreen with Safe Mode in all four corners and the build and servive pack number (1) at the top but nothing else. I can't run anything from here.

I've tried to install Spybot but it just hangs. The laptop will not connect to the internet. The laptop does have an anti-virus program (F-Secure) last updated 9 days ago - this will run but finds nothing. I've discovered that the firewall (just the standard Windows one) is turned off.

Now I've not got the Vist CD/DVD at the moment but could get it if required.

So does anyone out there who hs some experience of Vista Home Premium have any ideas as to what I should attempt next.

In the mean time I'll keep poking around with my white stick.

 

Try these. MBAM first. If it wont download or run - rename it. Call it something.com. Or something. :cool

Download, install, update and run full scans:

MBAM: http://majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html
SAS: http://majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html[/QUOTE]

Getting the install disk is very good idea.

 

Well managed to run the first of your suggested programs with no errors seen. It did install at the speed of an arthritic slug on Valium mind you. The second program refused to install - it just hung at the preparing to install message.

Unfortunately I'm still not able to do anything useful on The machine as it either wont run the program at all or insists that I'm not logged in as an Administrator (which I am).

Anymore ideas will be gratefully tried out.

 

Information for advanced users about the changes to the built-in administrator account in Windows Vista. Article here.

You can also create a super administrator. Article here.

Usually you just right click on the programs shortcut and choose run as admin.

 

Thanks for that Cordialis.

Due to pure luck I'd actaully managed to get into the super admin mode. From there I managed to get into the command window of Safe Mode. I then ran SFC and chkdsk. Chkdsk found a problem and fixed it. Therefater I could manually start explorer to get to the GUI. I then ran SAS and CCleaner. After that I bit the bullet and booted into Normal mode and :-D it all seems to working fine now.

Thanks again for your assistance.

 

Glad you made it! :-D