Hi, I'm Mike, and new here. HOPE someone can help! I hope this isn't too lengthy.

My problem started JULY 8th or so. I turned on my computer, and went to the log in screen. I had 2 users on my computer, one limited, and the other was me as administrator. I clicked on mine, and was about to sign in, when everything disappeared except for the background. I was able to sign in by typing my password and hitting enter as usual, even though it wasn't visible to me.

Next, I had a problem for a couple days, where when I clicked on my account to sign in, no matter that I typed the right password in, it said it wasn't right, and made me try again. It always worked the 2nd time.

That was no huge deal, but then the DISAPPEARING log in screen happened this weekend, and I have no idea what was wrong. I scanned for viruses, nothing there.

So far, the things I've done to fix this is
chkdsk
restore to a previous date – didn't work
uninstalling windows updates since June
uninstalling programs or programs I'd installed since June 10.
I reformatted.

I also left off passwords, and have only the one (administrator account. Now, I just go straight to the welcome screen. I'm getting flashing pop up windows when I try to do any random thing (check Windows Update, open Firefox, just anything really). Before I reformatted, it wouldn't let me download any new software (download page appears, no pop up for run, save, etc). It also shuts down any time it feels like it. I can't get to safe mode at all.....


SPECS
operating system
Windows Vista Home PREMIUM (build 6000)
service packs
CPU
1.80 gigahertz Intel Pentium Dual
none
computer make/model
Gateway GT5622 1.0
RAM
Slot 'DIMM0' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM1' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM2' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM3' has 512 MB
hard drives
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 389.32 GB 314.87 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0) 10.77 GB 5.01 GB free
j: (NTFS on drive 1) 60.01 GB 50.00 GB free
sound and video cards
integrated/don't know
current adware/spyware/virus programs
Norton 360, 2009
do you have a "real" Windows CD
yes
type of internet connection
Comcast Cable

Thanks,
MikeQuote from: enemy62301 on July 13, 2009, 11:36:39 PM

I'm getting flashing pop up windows when I try to do any random thing