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August 11th, 2015 22:00
Windows 7 Ultimate explorer.exe Stopped Starting Automatically
Hi, my brother has an Optiplex 720 or 780, can't remember exactly. I just reformatted and reinstalled his Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit a week ago, and installed all the Windows Updates. Everything seemed good until yesterday when he says he went to use it and it was just a black screen with the mouse cursor. After checking the internet I found out that the explorer.exe process is missing from the Task Manager. I am able to start explorer.exe from the Task Manager myself, but how do I get Windows to do it like it should? There are no errors associated with the problem at all.
Here is what I've already done:
System Restore did not fix it.
It does the same thing in safe mode.
Video drivers are up to.date according to Windows Update.
In regedit, explorer.exe is beside Shell
There was never any antiviruses installed on this install
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Philip_Yip
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August 12th, 2015 11:00
If you had no antivirus installed then its likely an infection. Clean Install Windows 7 again after preferably wiping the drive...
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/cleaning-up-a-drive-format-vs-secure-wipe-ssd-and-hdd/
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/
Then use the Windows 7 license to upgrade to Windows 10:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-10/
MonicaJade
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August 13th, 2015 19:00
Thanks for your reply, NATAKUC4, actually, my brother got this PC off ebay on his own, and somebody has passworded the BIOS. What can I do about that? BTW, he ordered another PC off ebay, and gave me this one, I just got it set up tonight, so I can do whatever I need to to get it working.
Philip_Yip
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August 14th, 2015 00:00
Return it to the seller. The BIOS password can only be unlocked by contacting Dell Technical Support and you will need to prove ownership of the system i.e. that its not stolen etc. Dell Technical Support are hence unlikely to help you.
MonicaJade
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August 15th, 2015 15:00
Oh well, I just won't worry about the BIOS... My brother actually got this first PC without an OS installed, and borrowed Ultimate from someone and I don't like doing that, but I am the only one in the house who can reinstall OSs and wipe drives so since it was his PC I installed it anyway, and I reinstalled before he gave it to me. He asked me to help him find a better one on ebay, and I suggested one that had Windows 7 Home professionally installed, and he got that. Now that the Optiplex 760 is in my control, I just burned Ubuntu off his and let it erase the disk and install itself and everything works, so thanks for suggesting I wipe it.
MonicaJade
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August 15th, 2015 16:00
You said return it to seller? I misread it as contact the seller... Does that mean it IS stolen for sure and we have to return it? Good grief, I hate stealing and oiracy and try to never do it if I can help it. :( I had a feeling thatWindows Ultimate was gonna get me in trouble.
Philip_Yip
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August 15th, 2015 18:00
If the password is within Windows then simply wipe the drive, install Windows 10130 and use it as a stepping stone to get the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-xpvista-%e2%86%92-windows-10-free-upgrade/
If you are instructed to enter a password before Windows loads, it is a BIOS password and you will not be able to do anything until this password has been removed. The eBay seller will be best to ask assistance regarding this password or arranging a return.