Says Preparing Desktop, then goes blank

[crystalwoman]

I have Windows Vista Home Premium on my Dell laptop.
For a few days now, seems like after one of the Windows Updates on 24 or 25 Feb,
I log on it and it acts like it is logging on fine but is sloooooow. Then says "Preparing Desktop" and then screen is blank??
I have done all tests for Dell laptop, Windows Diagnosis, full system scan, and my laptop is always updated w/ Microsoft Windows Update, and Microsoft Security Essentials.
I keep doing a Safe Mode to do Windows Restore to earlier date and then it works like it ought to, but this is a pain. What could be the problem?
thank you.

 

[DelJo63]

"Preparing Desktop" suggests your login profile is corrupt.

In Safe Mode, create another user and give it a simple password like X (change it later or delete the login when done).

Then get a command prompt and run SERVICES.MSC
make sure these are autostart:

1. DCOM service launcher
2. RPC endpoint mapper
3. RPC itself
4. ** lastly enable **
5. Security Accnts Manager

now you can use Start->Switch User to the new account
You will see again "Preparing Desktop" but it should compete and give you access.

Post your status before we continue

 

[crystalwoman]

Oh boy sorry I am a 68+ lady who doen't know all the tech stuff. Honestly 25 yrs ago using pc and Windows was easier, and not sure cause I was much younger, and/or cause it was easier. It seems technology now is going by too fast and has more bugs, etc.
I found that if I just put laptop to sleep, it works fine. I however cannot shutdown and try to logon correctly as that is when it happens.
I was told Automatic Windows Update probaby did it. That may be right as that a.m. there was Updates.
Thank you for the instructions here but I just cannot do tech work and no tech around us here in rural MT.

 

[DelJo63]

Can't? SURE you can, follow the instruction (perhaps print them too keep them visable) and we'll walk thru this together

{others on TS; let me lead please, we can't have two captains at the wheel; this is WHY Broni locks up the VM forum }

 

[crystalwoman]

I have Windows Vista Home Premium on my Dell laptop.
For a few days now, seems like after one of the Windows Updates on 24 or 25 Feb,
I log on it and it acts like it is logging on fine but is sloooooow. Then says "Preparing Desktop" and then screen is blank??
I have done all tests for Dell laptop, Windows Diagnosis, full system scan, and my laptop is always updated w/ Microsoft Windows Update, and Microsoft Security Essentials.
I keep doing a Safe Mode to do Windows Restore to earlier date and then it works like it ought to, but this is a pain. What could be the problem?
thank you.

 

[DelJo63]

Hmm; missing new comment?

 

[crystalwoman]

Sorry to disappoint you but THANK YOU so much for caring. I wish there was a tech nearby but this is the life of rural living. Since I can leave laptop in Sleep mode and we live alone in cabin, it is easy to just put it to sleep and not have to shutdown. Not sure however if I ever have to restart what it will do? Again sorry to put you to any trouble and thank you for your time. ruralMTlady

 

[DelJo63]

It's no bother - - I even fixed a system in Amsterdam remotely (not boasting, but assuring you this is possible).

• "Not sure however if I ever have to restart what it will do?"

Yes, that will be a problem. The suggestion above will prove your system CAN work correctly. Once that is shown we can correct the corruption causing this problem.