InitialKev

Honorable Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2011
Messages
45
I bought a Dell Inspiron Laptop about a month ago. Recently it has been freezing right after start up.

I enter my password and everything loads (task bar & dock) and everything seems fine. But when I try to open something from the dock or start menu, nothing happens. For example I would click on the Fire Fox icon on the dock and it won't open. I click on it again and that's when it freezes up but it only freezes the dock. Like it won't show the name of the application when you put your cursor on it and clicking other icons doesn't do anything. If I click the start icon nothing would happen and the task bar freezes. If I use "ctrl, alt, del" nothing happens.

After a few minutes Windows Security pops up saying my computer is at risk because no fire wall is turned on. I click on the check status and it opens up my McAfee virus program and I have to manually turn on the Real Time Scanning. Then everything that I clicked prior to freezing opens up. After that everything runs normally.

This happens every time I turn on or restart the computer.

Now I might know why this happens but I can't be sure. Recently I tried to download a Key Gen for an Adobe software via bittorent and needless to say it was littered with viruses. Since then I have used MalwareBytes, Ad-aware, and McAfee to scan and remove the viruses. There was quite a few in the initial scan but all was quarantined and removed.

After this problem started there was 2 times when it didn't freeze. I did scans (found 2 infected registries or something) with the different programs prior to that so I think that's why. But since then I have downloaded maybe 2 movie files (files played with no problems) and the freezing problem started again. My past 3 scans of Malwarebytes showed nothing infected but the problem still remain.

What else could be causing this problem?

If I restore the system to its factory state (using the built in function), would it resolve this problem. I don't mind doing this since the computer is pretty new and I don't have any files that need backing up.

Would restoring factory state make it like if it is brand new or will there be a log recorded that says I have restored it factory state? My old old computer had to be restored a few times and each time it created a separate user thing? Not sure what the correct term was.

And of course I should stop downloading stuff too...lol
 
Solution
It sounds like you are experiencing some issues with your Dell Inspiron Laptop freezing right after startup, particularly after attempting to open applications and encountering a delay. Here are some steps to address the problem you're facing:

Possible Causes of Freezing Issue:​

  1. Virus Infections: Given your history of downloading potentially infected files, it's possible that some malware might still be affecting your system despite your cleanup efforts. Repeated scans are a good idea, but some infections can be tricky to completely eradicate.
  2. Software Conflict: Certain programs or system settings may be conflicting, causing the freezing behavior.
  3. Resource Constraints: Insufficient system resources...
It sounds like you are experiencing some issues with your Dell Inspiron Laptop freezing right after startup, particularly after attempting to open applications and encountering a delay. Here are some steps to address the problem you're facing:

Possible Causes of Freezing Issue:​

  1. Virus Infections: Given your history of downloading potentially infected files, it's possible that some malware might still be affecting your system despite your cleanup efforts. Repeated scans are a good idea, but some infections can be tricky to completely eradicate.
  2. Software Conflict: Certain programs or system settings may be conflicting, causing the freezing behavior.
  3. Resource Constraints: Insufficient system resources like RAM or CPU power can also lead to freezing.

    Steps to Resolve the Issue:​

  4. Further Malware Scans: Run deep scans with multiple antivirus programs to ensure all threats are eliminated.
  5. Check for System Updates: Make sure all Windows and driver updates are installed to address any compatibility issues.
  6. Performance Monitoring: Use Task Manager to monitor resource usage and identify any applications consuming abnormally high resources.
  7. System Restore vs. Factory Reset:
    • System Restore: If your system has Restore Points set before the issue started, you can try reverting to one of those points to see if it resolves the problem.
    • Factory Reset: This will indeed reset your system to its original state, but keep in mind it will erase all data. The system will be like new, and there should be no record of previous restore actions.
  8. Data Backup: While you mentioned not needing to backup files, it's always good practice. You can use an external drive or cloud storage to safeguard your important data.

    Factory Reset and User Profiles:​

    • Performing a factory reset will indeed restore the system to its original configuration, essentially returning it to a brand-new state.
  • User accounts created after a factory reset typically depend on whether you create new accounts during the system setup process. If you use the same account details, it should not create multiple user profiles.

    Safe Practices:​

  • Avoid Suspicious Downloads: To prevent similar issues in the future, refrain from downloading files from untrustworthy sources or engaging in activities like downloading key generators for software. By following these steps, you can work towards resolving the freezing issue on your Dell Inspiron Laptop and maintain a smoother computing experience without risking infections or system instability.
 
Solution