Windows 10 desktop screen not fully loading

[Ro191]

After several attempts to get laptop to restart, finally got it to the point which shows my desktop screen, but it is all black except for recylce bin. Toolbar icon across bottom does not repsond when any icons are pressed. Show no menus. Not even shutdown. Have to shutdown using power button only. Tried reboot and going into safe mode, but after trying all options, none help. Originally had Windows 8, upgraded to 10 a year or so ago. 

[Lil_Boy_Blue · Accepted solution]

Hi
First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds.

Then - Leave only keyboard and mouse connected, disconnect all externally connected
devices such as Docking Station, USB storage devices, displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.

Next - Press and Hold the Power button for 15 seconds to Hard Reset.
Rinse and Repeat

AND/OR - Power on your PC, press Esc (repeatedly), then F2 at the prompt.
Choose System Tests (Fast Test does a 4 minute hardware check).
AND/OR
HOW DO I USE DIAGNOSTICS?

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows is a Windows-based utility that allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware is functioning properly. The tool runs within the Windows operating system in order to diagnose hardware failures. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows comes pre-installed on new HP computers, but if not on yours, download here:

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp93001-93500/sp93457.exe

Maybe a clean re-install?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

The hardware test may shed some light.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Ro191 ,

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

This issue is happening because Windows cannot start/boot .It may be caused due to simple Windows hung, hardware problem (e.g. your HDD) or it may be caused by faulty Windows Update, some other faulty update/driver, corrupted user profile in Windows etc....

1. Try hard restart/hard reset.

Press the power on-button on your PC and hold it for about 5-10 seconds until your computer powers off completely.

Remove and unplug any external periferals and accessories.

Press once the power-on button to turn on the PC and wait if it will start now. Wait...

If it still fails to load properly, go ahead with the next steps

2. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out hardware problem

- Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

- Power the computer back on.

As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

- Choose F2 to open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform System Test >> Quick test.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

Let me know the test results. If the tests pass without issues, continue. If not, please, let me know

3. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have prenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Provide your feedback/reply.

[Ro191]

Thanks for your reply. BeforeI start this, At what point to I replug the AC power? 

[Ro191]

Thanks for your reply. Before I try your solution, let me add that prior to reporting this here, I had got Windows to load (possibly partially) and my desktop scree cam on but only the recycle bin icon was there, and along the bottom three icon on the left side and 3-4 on right side, but when I tried to bring up any menus, even to look at settings, those buttons pressed showed NO menus preventing me from even power down. An error message came up saying "C:\windows\systems32\config\systemprofile\desktop is not found" 

Does that change any instructions you gave me?

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Ro191 

Thank you.  As mentioned initially, this may be corrupted Windows or corrupted user profile. Your clarifications made it clear this is caused by a corrupted user profile. It may happen due to some conflict or fauly Windows Update.

My initial instructions [above] do not change. You can just skip the part of testing the hardware.

If System Restore did not help (it will revert any Windows updates, changes and may restore the user profile), check this article and follow its steps :

>> https://www.thewindowsclub.com/desktop-location-not-available-windows-10

Let me know how it goes.

[Ro191]

Ugh, I tried Restore and it says no restore point created. (couls have sworn I did but oh well).  So I checked the article you provided and it say to copy my desktop profile form my user file to the location in system32 folder. Only problem is I cannot get to the files to pick it to copy. Sorry, you are doing a great job at makeing suggestions though.

[IT_WinSec]

I hope you have some sort of USB pendrive or USB external hard-disk drive, whatever USB device

I hope you have some free space on it. If not, consider buyone one - they are cheap and start from 5-10 USD or euro.

PLUG this device into the PC now

Ok, so once you hit the F11 and end up in the Windows (HP) recovery environment,  and once you choose Advanced options, do the following.

Instead of choosing System Restore, choose Command Prompt

When you see a Command Prompt, type notepad and press [ENTER] to launch a Notepad window.  Click File and select Open in the Notepad window.

Ensure you select the All Files option at the bottom of the window, and then click the Computer option.

You can use this Open dialog as if it were a Windows Explorer window – select files and you’ll be able to copy and paste them elsewhere.  If you connect a USB drive or removable hard drive to your computer, you will be able to copy-paste files onto it.

Do not double-click any files or Notepad will try to open them, possibly freezing.  If Notepad freezes on you, go back to the Command Prompt window and type taskmgr to launch the Task Manager.  You can end the frozen Notepad task and re-launch Notepad.

The idea is to COPY all your files from this folder  ~Local Disk~\Users\~your~username\
in your USB pendrive location.

Kind of extract them.

Once you are done copying your files off your hard drive, you can close the windows and shut down your computer/restart it. 

reference: HowToGeek website

[IT_WinSec]

Once you extract your files, consider reinstalling Windows.

There are 3 possible ways:

1st one -> use F11 recovery environment and start HP Recovery or Reset this PC options   -> more details here >>

RESTORE WINDOWS 8 - if its recovery partition is OK >> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03489643

2nd one -> use F11 recovery environment and start HP Recovery or Reset this PC options -> more details here >>

RESTORE WINDOWS 10 - if its recovery partition is OK >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&sfs=tdoc&lc=en&language=e...

3rd one -> I prefer this clean(er) option -> https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/EliteBook-very-slow-after-drive...

Let me know how it goes. Please, provide an update

After reinstalling Windows, you can restore your files from the USB copies

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

If you can get a Windows install to boot, or a Recovery USB to load and offer a command prompt. then...

XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be 😧 or G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h     

[then hundreds/thousands of files (like those 3 listed below) get copied over]
C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf