Page 1 of Laptop problem.

Ma in laws laptop running on Vista.
As described to me after someone doing a job application online when it starts up now it's just a black screen and pointer.
It will start in Safe mode. I've tried system restore with no success.
It would before that start by going to Task Manager and running explorer.exe but now it reports 'Failed to initialize 0xc0000022.

Any suggestions welcome.
Extra problem. It was my father in laws machine. As he's now deceased I have no idea of any password to change to administrator.

Snaps

---

My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I used to be with it, but then they changed what `it` was.
Now, what I`m with isn`t it, and what`s `it` seems weird and scary

I guess step 1 is to reset the admin password:
http://www.infopackets.com/news/9483/reset-admin-password-windows-vista-7-and-8

Then once (or if) you can log in, check the HDD for errors and make sure it is running decent up-to-date antivirus software. And run a scan with Malwarebytes on it too.

If there are still problems, the next step would be to try a repair install but you probably should go to the manufacturers website and get all the drivers onto a USB stick first:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Editor
DVD REVIEWER
MYREVIEWER.COM

My Flickr Photostream

Could have a problem on step 1
Quote:
1. Locate your Windows DVD (install media).Not sure that's anywhere available.

Will Virus and Malware install and run on safe mode?

Just checked and it's running Securuty essentials which is scanning from safe mode so once that's done I'll try Malware. Either download or put it on a stick, which I think works.

Snaps

---

My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I used to be with it, but then they changed what `it` was.
Now, what I`m with isn`t it, and what`s `it` seems weird and scary

This item was edited on Tuesday, 7th July 2015, 13:48

Try this instead as you can't find the DVD (if the laptop ever came with one):
http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/


Editor
DVD REVIEWER
MYREVIEWER.COM

My Flickr Photostream

Thanks I'll get back to the source of the problem and ask if they've still got the system disc (they're at work at the moment).
If they have would a re-install of windows sort the problem?


Snaps

---

My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I used to be with it, but then they changed what `it` was.
Now, what I`m with isn`t it, and what`s `it` seems weird and scary

Quote:
Snaps says...
"If they have would a re-install of windows sort the problem?"
If it isn't a hardware fault like a dying HDD, but if it is a dying HDD it'll only mask the fault for a short time and lull you into a false sense of security.


Editor
DVD REVIEWER
MYREVIEWER.COM

My Flickr Photostream

Is Vista still supported or did that end with XP?

Snaps

---

My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I used to be with it, but then they changed what `it` was.
Now, what I`m with isn`t it, and what`s `it` seems weird and scary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista

Support status Mainstream support ended on April 10, 2012
Extended support until April 11, 2017[6]

Shouldn't it be easy to see any files that need saving in Safe mode?
Pics and docs and stuff don't seem visible but some were when I did a system restore to an earlier point.

Since tried a Malaware scan, which said nothing found, checked the registry and found only explorer.exe flagged so no conflict there. A command prompt of scannow came up with 'some corrupt files found' so there's something amiss.

Just waiting to see if the install or recovery disc is available.

Snaps

---

My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I used to be with it, but then they changed what `it` was.
Now, what I`m with isn`t it, and what`s `it` seems weird and scary

is there a recovery partition? just after the bios screen, where you can choose to boot of cd/usb etc there might be the option, hit f8 or somehthing similar