WinXP bootup issue - wallpaper screen but everything else is gone

[incognito247]

Swapped out a psu as a temp fix for my sisters computer. Computer booted up fine but when it gets to the desktop, it is completely blank except for the wallpaper. Mouse arrow eventually shows but any icons, ctrl+alt+del or any menus (right click) do not show. I rebooted into safemode and everything showed up fine. I was wondering if anyone knew what the problem could be. Last time it was up it was working just fine, no signs of viruses or such. Should I try and run a repair or is there a fix for this. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Also wanted to add that it's a simple P4 1.6 512mb low end pc. I put in a 250w psu from the broken 300w that was in there before. Could the -50w power be a factor? Ran just fine for hours on 300w so...

 

[mechBgon]

Confirm that all the cables, cards, and memory modules are firmly seated. If the motherboard has a receptacle for an ATX12V cable (pic :camera:), make sure that's plugged in.

Also, if the 300W PSU was bad, it's conceivable that it damaged something else on its way out, and it's also possible that the 250W unit in question can't quite hack it (nominal wattage ratings don't tell the whole story with power supplies; quality can play a part too).

In Safe Mode, the keyboard does work, correct?

edit: if you're considering a new power supply for it, and it uses standard ATX units like it sounds, then this one comes from a reputable manufacturer and isn't too expensive.

 

[daveybrat]

In safe mode, go to run, then type msconfig and hit enter.

Under the startup tab, click 'disable all'

Then under the Services tab, click the 'Hide all microsoft services' box and then click the 'disable all' button.

Hit ok and let the pc reboot. Let us know what happens.

 

[robisbell]

sounds like when windows trues to ut the cpu and gpu and soundcard to use, that the 250 watt psu can not handle the load. I'd hunt down a 300 watt, but you'll have better luck find a 400 or 450 watt. do that, making sure all power connectors are connected properly with the new psu and see how it does booting up.

 

[incognito247]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Seems like the HD got semi-corrupted. Tried a few things you guys recommended and it didn't work. Tried to repair and it would black out in the middle of it. I guess part of the OS got messed up. Running a install on another hd and see how it goes. Wierd how safemode would run and show everything just fine. Hopefully this does it.

 

[robisbell]

safe mode does not put any load on the processor, video or sound cards. so that means the PSU does not struggle and fail when the hardware can not get the power it needs.

 

[Fardringle]

If it's a decent quality PSU, then 250 watts should be more than enough for an old P4 machine, particularly if it only has a basic/integrated video card. If it's a junk brand, then that could be an issue.

As mechbgon said, depending on how the old PSU failed it could have damaged some other components such as the hard drive or RAM. If the fresh install on the new hard drive still fails, try running MEMTEST for a while, and swap in a different power supply if you have one available.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: robisbell
sounds like when windows trues to ut the cpu and gpu and soundcard to use, that the 250 watt psu can not handle the load. I's hunt down a 300 watt, but you'll have better luck find a 400 or 450 watt. do that, amking sure all power connectors are connected properly with the new psu and see how it does booting up.

I got dizzy trying to read that. You need to get some sleep

 

[robisbell]

okay, spelling gestapo, it's fixed, the heat had gone out for a bit when i typed that.