Start key and start button malfunction

[Total Noob]

Dell Optiplex 7020, running on Win10, but of unknown age, having been bought second hand with a fresh install of the OS. I have had memory problems and Win10 may be overwhelming the device. Architecture is 64, Intel chips, plenty of memory at least on paper, so maybe the HD is trouble?

Anyway, the Start Button and the Start Key have simultaneously malfunctioned, meaning I can't access any app not already on my desktop, nor can I get to control panel. I swear I did not adjust anything that might have precipitated this.

Some apps have also started to go kablooey. Windows Explorer's search function box won't accept input, though the directories light up and highlight and open. I could not open an old file which reported corruption, inexplicably. I have BSOD crashes commonly and browsers sometimes can't load pages and crash with vague error messages reporting memory issues.

Any thoughts? Has the device just had it?

[Ned Seagoon]

Originally Posted by Total Noob

Dell Optiplex 7020, of unknown age, having been bought second hand

The question to ask yourself is, "Why did the previous owner relinquish it?"

Has the device just had it?

Perhaps, but if you got it for the right price, it might be worthwhile persisting.
The start button can be bypassed or replaced with a switch, (With care).

Have fun, if you think it's worth the effort. Let us know what you find.

[Murf]

1. Run scandisc

https://www.easeus.com/knowledge-cen...w-command.html

[Total Noob]

Originally Posted by Ned Seagoon

The question to ask yourself is, "Why did the previous owner relinquish it?"

The places I buy second hand computers deal in corporate installations where computers are replaced on a fixed schedule. I have not had a problem with units that were broken or were essentially used cars (somebody else's headache).

Originally Posted by Ned Seagoon

Perhaps, but if you got it for the right price, it might be worthwhile persisting. The start button can be bypassed or replaced with a switch, (With care).

Have fun, if you think it's worth the effort. Let us know what you find.

Prolly above my pay scale.

1. Run scandisc

https://www.easeus.com/knowledge-cen...w-command.html

Can't. the first instruction shown on the website is

Step 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to get the Windows Search Bar.

Alas, as noted above, the Windows/Start key has also malfunctioned. In fact, on further investigation, the toolbar has entirely malfunctioned except for any launching icons I put there. Calendar is dead; Notifications is dead; Networks is dead. Search Box is dead.

Since last posting, I tried rebooting, and there was a Windows update, and still everything is dead. Is there a way to get to Control Panel without any help from anything on the toolbar?

[Murf]

1. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer and go to This PC.

2.Right-click on the disk/drive that you wish to scan or check.

3. Select Properties and then go to the Tools tab.

Click on Error checking

[Ensign Tzap]

Total Noob,

First off......
Never buy something without testing it first!
Especially something used!

Next.....
Your saying that, you can't access the Start Button or Task Bar with the Mouse Cursor?
And the Windows Key on your Keyboard doesn't work?

This sounds like a virus that as corrupted the Operating System.

1.) See if you can get the computer to BOOT up in to SAFE MODE.

2.) Now run the Scandisc that Murf mentioned.
NOTE: Copy the Directions in the Link before you start!

If after you repair the OS, and the Start Button and the other functions are back.
Update your Anti-Virus, and do a DEEP SCAN of your system.
Hopefully it won't turn up anything.

Next.....

Has the computer been dusted out and cleaned lately?

Here's a simple cleaning video: https://www.google.com/search?client...1TTVAN2fU,st:0

I've seen more memory issues caused by dust and dirt getting in to the Dimm Slots, or the PCI-Express Graphics Slots.
Thus, contaminating the contacts of the Video Card And Memory Dimm's.
So, simply blowing out just the dust in the computer won't solve the problem.
You'll need to do a more though cleaning of these items.

There are other videos on U-tube that go in to complete computer system cleaning, including re-doing the thermal paste for the CPU & GPU.


Signed: Ensign Tzap

[Russoroppy]

Have you considered trying to boot the computer into Safe Mode to diagnose the issues, and have you attempted the suggested steps like running scandisc in Safe Mode to address the malfunctioning Start Button and Task Bar?

[Total Noob]

Almost as if by magic, the problem solved itself.

Having futilely tried most or all of the above steps, I readied to open up the sides and do a full cleaning. But before I go to that, my computer randomly decided the keyboard and the mouse were new and required drivers. These devices have been attached since the dawn of time.

The drivers re-installed, and everything now works well. I am hopeful I will be avoiding other apps going kablooey.

I don't get why that happened. Does it happen to you guys with Apple computers? Is Apple somehow more robust than Windows? Or is Apple, as I always thought, the device not worth the glamor projected?

[Ensign Tzap]

Corrupted drivers huh......
That makes perfect sense, seeing that you were having multiple crashes.

But I still advocate that you Clean Out The Dust In Your Case!
Especially following the Anti-Static Method.
Pull the memory sticks out, blowing the dust out of the Dimm Sockets, then reinstalling them.

NOTE: Put them back in exactly the same way they were installed on the motherboard, unless they are all the same Gb and make & brand.
Example:
Dimm Slot 1 4GB memory module
Dimm Slot 2 8Gb memory module
Dimm Slot 3 4GB memory module
Dimm Slot 4 8Gb memory module
NOTE: Some motherboards color the Dimm Sockets Orange & Green to designate the memory banks.

Pull to video graphics card.
Blow the dust out of the PCI-Express Socket, then reinstall the video graphics card.

Plus,
Do the Anti-Virus scan as well.
Corrupted drivers can be caused by malicious virus's.


Signed: Ensign Tzap