Why is my computer automatically filling in with dashes before I can sign in?

[adagarner]

My computer is a HP Pavilion A6600F, Windows 7 64 bit, and recently when I turn on the computer it automatically fills in the sign in areas.  I have had to hit enter twice before I can sign in.  Some times when I want to do a search for something it will fill that area with dashes and won't allow me to stop it.  I have had to go through all types of changes to get it to operate right.  This started just recently after I moved.  Could it be something loose or do I have to call in a specialist?

[Hanspuppa · Accepted solution]

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adagarner wrote: My computer is a HP Pavilion A6600F, Windows 7 64 bit, and recently when I turn on the computer it automatically fills in the sign in areas.  I have had to hit enter twice before I can sign in.  Some times when I want to do a search for something it will fill that area with dashes and won't allow me to stop it.  I have had to go through all types of changes to get it to operate right.  This started just recently after I moved.  Could it be something loose or do I have to call in a specialist?

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Hello adagarner, You might try going back to a Windows Restore Point before this issue presented itself.

Go to the Start Orb, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Click on the item System Restore and the Windows System Restore window should open. It may take a few seconds for this to open.

Then look for a System Restore Point before the issue occured.

The system should reboot and the system will boot back to the normal desktop and a message will appear that advises the system was successful or that Windows was unable to restore the system.

Sometimes this works and other times not, but may be worth a try.

[adagarner]

I just went through your directions and when I got into System Tools I found that my computer did not list "System Restore" at all.  What now?

[Hanspuppa]

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adagarner wrote: I just went through your directions and when I got into System Tools I found that my computer did not list "System Restore" at all.  What now?

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Hello adagarner, That seems a little odd, but you can access the executable file by going to C:\Windows\System32\rstrui and right click on this file and select to send to the Start Menu. Then close out of all the Windows and go to the Start Orb, and look for the Microsoft® Windows System Restore listing.

This may get System Restore back in the menu but if you manage to open System Restore, you may not have any restore points listed to restore back to.

I have seen at times where viruses and/or certain malware deletes System Restore and all the restore points.

If this is the case, you might could recover from this by going to the Start Orb, and in the Run box, type cmd, and a black screen should appear. At the blinking cursor, type sfc /scannow (notice the space between sfc /) and press the enter key on the keyboard.

This would cause Windows to scan your system for missing or corrupted files and if any are found Windows would replace them with valid files.

Just some things to try.

[adagarner]

Thanks for your help. I could only restore back to the 22nd and it started around the 18th.  Next week I will have to have a specialist come in to fix my problem.  I think it is a virus that I got after I reconnected my computer after I moved.  Again, thank you for your assistance.

[helmutbooks]

I had the same problem. In addition, when I put a search word in the google box, it replaced the first typed letter with a dash. Solution? I replaced my HP wireless keyboard (model SK 2061) with another wired keyboard (Dell) and the problem disappeared. This after having tried a half dozen other recommendations floating about the internet (checking/cleaning the dash key, cleaning the registry etc). So - it appears obvious that the particular HP keyboard is the culprit (either mine is defective or a particular manufactured batch of this model is defective, in which case HP should consider a recall).

[jwhilliard]

My laptop auto fills on start up and password and when I click on programs; also all address bars in search engines. I've done a Restore; but it didnt fix the problem...cant type in a command because it auto fills....whats up?