Windows 7 Windows 7 will not let me log in

[unclpaul]

IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T500

My issue is that I am left at the "Windows 7 Professional" logon screen - I have the "Ease of access" icon in the lower left hand of the window, and the red Shut Down button in the lower right - I can move my mouse all around, but when I click on anything nothing happens.

There is NO log in text box in the center of the screen - just the logon screen background image.

This issue happens randomly from a cold boot, but it also happens after the laptop has been on a while - if the screen saver kicks in and you move the mouse or press a key to get out of the screen saver, you are at the logon screen - but there is nothing to log in to - no field, no "Switch user" button - just the Logon screen background.

No combination of key sequences cause the computer to do anything.

I am experiencing this with the laptop IN the docking station and OUT OF the docking station. I am experiencing this while using supplemental keyboard and mouse, and while NOT using them.

I can connect to the hard drive of this laptop, and I can RDP to this laptop - but when I log out of the RDP session and go to the laptop, there is still no place to log into the laptop.

The only fix is to power down the laptop by holding in the power on button, then turn the laptop back on. This will "usually" get me back to a logon prompt - but then it is only a question of time before it happens again.

I have now re-installed Windows 7 two times on this laptop. The problem continues to happen randomly.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing a peculiar issue with your IBM Lenovo ThinkPad T500 where you are stuck at the Windows 7 Professional logon screen without the login text box appearing. This issue occurs randomly, even after re-installing Windows 7 twice. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check for Windows Updates:
   • Ensure that your Windows 7 installation is up to date. Sometimes, system updates can resolve issues with system stability and performance.
   []Driver Updates:
   • Update all your device drivers, especially graphics and input device drivers, to the latest versions. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause such issues.
   []Check for Malware:
   • Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus software to rule out any malware or virus causing this behavior.
   []Disable Fast User Switching:
   • Go to "Control Panel" -> "User Accounts" -> "Change User Account Control settings" and ensure that the "Use fast user switching" option is disabled.
   []System File Checker (SFC) Scan:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command sfc /scannow to check for and repair any corrupted system files.
   []Check Event Viewer for Errors:
   • Use the Event Viewer to check for any error messages or warnings that might give you more insight into what is causing the issue.
   []Try Safe Mode:
   • Boot the system into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If not, it might indicate a third-party software or driver causing the problem.
2. Create a New User Account:
   • Create a new user account and see if you can log in successfully with that account. This can help determine if the issue is user profile-related. If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there might be a more complex underlying problem. In such cases, seeking assistance from a professional technician or Lenovo support might be necessary for further diagnosis and repair. Do try these steps and let me know if you need more detailed instructions or if you have any other questions.