Computer Broken After System Restore

Question

I bought an Alienware M17x last year around the end of July. To be honest I've been less than pleased with it, especially for the price tag of $3500. When I first got the laptop, it wouldn't even start up correctly. The very first time I started it up I got a blue screen error and for about a day I couldn't log in. Over the months I've had issues with the display driver and overall computer performance, but most of the problems have either gone away for some reason (literally, just gone away) or have only bothered me on occasion - enough for me to look past after the first few days of consistent errors.

A few days ago I started having problems on the internet. At first I believed it was my ISP, but it turns out everyone else on my home network wasn't having any problems at all. I tried using the troubleshooting option available from the wireless network icon in the start menu several, several times and once or twice it uncovered an error. I can't remember what the error in its entirety was, but it was something like 'your computer appears to be properly configured, but there is a problem with the device or resource [DNS]'. On occassion, DNS would be replaced with microsoft.com. My connection to the internet was very shaky and I couldn't do much of anything. It was able to resolve the problem only once and the next day the problem was back. I figured the problem was with the actual adapter in my computer. Since it had only been a few days, I decided to restore my computer to a previous setting from June 21 of this year.

The system restore went through and appeared to be working fine... until it tried to restart the system. I never even got to the Aliensense login. It appears to start up windows, then all I get is a black screen with a cursor (no lights on or anything) and a Runtime error related to Microsoft Visual C++. I've tried restarting normally and in all safe modes and it always ends up the same way.

It's imperative that I get my computer fixed as soon as possible, my business depends on it. If anyone can provide any help at all it would be greatly appreciated. If you need any more details, I'll try to provide them. I'm running Windows 7 64-bit.

EDIT: I have gotten lights lately, but still the same issue with the screen and cursor. No login either.

AAA737flyer · Answer

If you can access the command prompt in safe mode or normal windows, go to accessories, command prompt, right click and select run as administer..

At the command prompt ">", type this without any spaces

sfc/scannow

and then hit enter.

It will correct any windows integrity issues and fix them automatically if it can, otherwise it will tell you what the problem is that it can't fix.

Not sure if it will help but it is worth the try.

You can also try restoring to the original restore point that worked.

Phil_Rock · Answer

I think you missed the problem, I don't get to use the computer at all.  It loads windows and then fails before the login screen.

AAA737flyer · Answer

You need to enter safe mode before it starts to load windows. From there you can access your prior restore point. Good luck

Phil_Rock · Answer

Please read my post.

Phil_Rock · Answer

I can't find my booklet that came with it.  I do have it somewhere with all my discs (it had slots for them), I just don't know where I put it.  I get the feeling someone moved it when they were cleaning out the computer area.  If I can actually find my discs, I'll give that a try although something tells me I still have to get to the desktop in order to do that and I can't.

AAA737flyer · Answer

I have read your post and you said, 'It appears to start up windows.' I'm suggesting you enter safe mode before it starts to load up windows by spamming the F8 key. This keeps it from entering windows as you suggested was happening. If after several attempts you are unable to get into Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen. Good luck, again.

froogle · Answer

Have you tried doing a repair installation from the OS CD?

Phil_Rock · Answer

'I've tried restarting normally and in all safe modes and it always ends up the same way.' From my post.  Please read the entire post next time.  Also, F8 doesn't work on Alienware comps (at least mine).  Tried that before I came here and there isn't even an option to use F8 on startup (only F2 and F12).

AAA737flyer · Answer

It's incredible!

Phil_Rock · Answer

The prompt when the computer isn't shut down normally.

AAA737flyer · Answer

So what did you use to enter safe mode?

Noel Ho · Answer

@Phil_Rock have you tried @froogle's suggestion? 'Have you tried doing a repair installation from the OS CD?' @AAA737flyer i feel your pain ;-)

7Leagueboot · Answer

Do you have a backup of all your data Phil? It is probably necessary to do a complete reinstall so you have to find your installation CD's.

dongiavongie · Answer

Ok...there is always an F8 option on windows.  It doesn't show up during the BIOS loading screen because it is an option from the operating system.  Just push F8 repeatedly when it turns on then there will be a screen with many options.  Choose SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT and then login using username: administrator and no password.  Now push the the windows key (on keyboard) and r to get the run dialog.  Run cmd.exe and then type in sfc/scannow and push enter.  If you are unable to get this far and your computer is crashing at the starting windows(win 7) or the green loading bar(win vista) then you have a core driver problem.  The easiest way to fix this is to reinstall windows using the Alienware windows disk then using the alienware resource disk to get the drivers.  Then update them the support.dell.com.  Also try creating a bootable memtest disk to test your RAM!

C_ronic · Answer

just get ubuntu and boot to that. you can take off all your data. then you can reinstall windows and put it right back to normal :). now if you cant boot to a CD or you reformatted your data then your in a pickle.

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Computer Broken After System Restore

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