I get error message that %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe is not recognized as a command, etc.

At a friend's suggestion, I moved the mouse and keyboard to the rear USB ports (no other USB devices on machine) and off of the front ports. I also disabled Avast in the MSCONFIG -> Startup. But that did not make any difference.

You have done quite a bit of wrestling with your PC in the past few days. You report that it is a new PC delivered with Windows 7. In theory, you should have a stable well behaved system.

I do not know what the scope of your modifications contains, except for replacing the canned anti-virus. It is possible that this single action accounts for the failure to start normally.

I do value the time and effort that you have applied to recovering stability and establishing your mixed OS network topography. I must propose, however, that you make a fresh start. Either re-install from the installation disks or use Dell's recovery partition to restore to the "out of box" state.

From there, I would remove most, if not all, Dell provided bloatware. It is mostly junk/marketing nonsense anyway. I would pay very close attention to the anti-virus removal. McCrapafee probably includes more than just an anti-virus component and this may be the root of all your current challenges, including network configuration.

You have the uncommon benefit of a motivated fellow mainframer willing to assist you, even if the assistance is remote and not real-time. In addition to my modest contribution to your success, PCHF is staffed 24/7 and the Tech Team guidance available here is top notch and spot on. PCHF is equally motivated and dedicated to your success.

If you choose to accept this proposal, you should close this thread and start a new one. As it stands, this thread has a personality disorder. We are attacking two ostensibly separate problems that may, in fact, be a single problem lacking a proper diagnosis.

What say you, bithead?

I tried the System restore - it showed me that Windows did an update the day it failed again and went back before the update - but it did not help.

The only "mods" that were made, besides removing McAfee and installing sotfware (Avast, Wordperfect, et al) was the "icon formatting" mod. I removed that to be sure it wasn't the cause of any problem. Windows however did two auto-updates (before I could turn off auto-updating) and that is a difference. But I did the above restore to (what it says) is before the updates and that made no difference.

As this is a Dell "home" PC, it does not have any installation disks. I am ignorantly not familiar with a recovery partition to restore to its original status.

i do agree that this thread should be closed. The connectivity problem is irrelevant when the machine won't come up. I opened a new one just for this problem.

I will contact Dell support, though I don't expect that they will be of help as this appears to be a software problem.

Thank you all again for your "above and beyond" help.

P.S. "Rating" given for your posts

When you boot a Dell machine, there is the opportunity to Press F12 to Select Boot Device. I believe this is where you will find the Dell Recovery Partition as a boot option.

It is common for companies like Dell to provide machines w/o install media. They use the partition method instead. There should be a Dell app or menu item for burning the install files to DVD.

After the initial shock of Windows 7 subsides, it is a secure, stable, fast, tolerant, insert positive adjective here, OS. A decade more advanced than XP.

With the exception of the icon listing order referenced in your original post.

P.S. New thread is http://www.pchelpforum.com/windows-vista-7/105825-w7-wont-come-up.html

On the basis of your comment above in red I will herewith close said thread viz -


This thread is now Closed.

If you have a similar issue, please open a new thread in the appropriate forum.