HELP! Can't start Windows

Question

I just got a hand-me down dell laptop from my dad that is a few years old that he used at work (thus had firewall protection) and there wasn't antivirus software installed.  I figured I could get through one weekend before buying some and installing it, but no such luck!  Now when I boot the computer it gets to the windows log in screen, then when i click cancel to log in (no network to log on to) it immediately shows something like 'Internet Explorer performed an illegal operation and must be shut down.'  Then it never properly loads windows and hangs there permanently.   What should I do?  I know i'm going to have to spend some money here...I don't even have the original Windows CD.  Thanks in advance for your help.  -Marc

DELL-Chris M · Answer

MarcS78,

Welcome to the Dell Community Forum (DCF).
Can you boot into safemode?

* Restart the computer
* At the first beep (older systems) or on the blue Dell screen (new systems), tap the F8 key (do not hold it down)
* At some point, the Advanced Options menu will appear
* Scroll to and select Safe Mode [Press the Enter Key]
* Select the first or only operating system [Press the Enter Key]

MarcS78 · Answer

Yikes, I have the same problem in safe mode.  Can I load windows from a Windows CD?  How much would one of those run me given that I don't have the original?  Thanks again for your help

Virus & Spyware

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