Windows 7 No action after boot up ... nothing clickable

[sargan]

Windows 7 32bit on Dell 9200 4 GB RAM 2 x 500GB HDD ... with all OS updates.

Been working fine ...booted up, used for an Hr .. left PC running, returned to it, power on but screen was 'black'

Had to power off to reboot - on start up (normal) desktop paints in, the spinning wheel runs for ages, then eventually all seems fine ... but can't do anything, only action is cursor .. nothing clickable. (incl Ctl+alt+del) HDD led on PC running permanently.

Reboot in safe mode ... chose system restore .. and it shows a Windows Critical update restore point .. at a time that matches failure. ??
OK tried restore ... still the same.


Tried Windows 7 repair disk, again selected restore ... Tried restore to next previous (2 days ago) all seems to go well, get login, desktop paints in ... then screen goes black ... all that is on it is cursor.

The only other points I can think of is that this morning (last successful boot up) it brought up a pop-up "Express files updated" with recommendation to run it ... as it gave no program, or manufacturer ... I chose not to run.
On one of the boot ups during problem .. an unfamiliar icon showed on desktop ... "Homegroup", a green sphere, surrounded by 3 orbiting blue spheres" although not been there on any subsequent boot up.

Any suggestions on next step ?

 

[Saltgrass]

Sounds like you might have a driver problem, or a virus. I have no idea what the Globe and spheres are.

Can you remove the secondary hard drive for testing?

Can you run a Virus Scan or open Device Manager and check the drivers in Safe Mode?

 

[sargan]

Been unable to get any further on repairing the issue .. still won’t start other than in safe mode.
W7 repair disk also shows some disk sector errors but can’t fix them.
I then tried Dell diagnostics ... it diagnosed error 7

I run Western Digital data Lifeguard and SMART gives status as PASS
If I run Quick test .. it reports:
Quick Test on Drive 1 did not complete
Status code = 07 (Failed read test element)
Failure Checkpoint=97

If I run Extended test: I get FAIL
Error code 08- Error was detected while repairing bad sectors.

Unless somebody knows how to fix this – I’m guessing I need a new HDD

My config is 2 HDD, split to 4 partitions .... on Drv 0 contains OS , my apps and data are on Drv 1
As I can start up in SAFE mode, is there any particular backup I can take that will allow me to put in a new HD, install OS, and then reinstall my backup ........... hopefully allow all my programmes on Drv1 to still work ?

I take a normal ‘user files backup’ but should I take something else to allow “recovery”

Would welcome any suggestion on steps.