sheelz

I find installing the Xvid codec solves the problem and it can be downloaded legitimately

Switched on PC this morning - yes, the screen hung at the green bar etc. Then, about 20 minutes later, I was greeted with the welcome screen and was able to log on. Seems there was a raft of windows updates being processed (gah!). That'll teach me to panic in future! Will see how things go on, anyway. Thanks for suggestions given

having just had a quick read through another thread, I can add that after my successful format/restore from disks, the current problem started after I tried to reinstall Nero 8 - a legitimately purchased program BTW.

I tried last good configuration - no joy - also there were no restore points prior to reformat/recovery

I have a Medion PC (500 GB HDD/2GB RAM) Vista Home Premium. Halfway through yesterday it slowed to a snail's pace (well, half a snail's pace). Anyway, successfully (I thought) did a recovery via the disk/s supplied, and then proceeded to install the programs I most use. Rebooted and the screen's been stuck at the one where the green calibration goes to andi fro ever since. Tried hard reboot - power off/on and then press power button - nothing! Safe Mode - a number of diagnostic tests - ditto. I hate letting a machine beat me, though I wonder whether my HDD is gone - or the motherboard - I purchased the PC in Sept 2007 so it's out of warranty; I'm currently working on my less than powerful laptop.

thanks in advance for any help I can get here - in 11 years of owning PCs I've not have problems with reformatting/restoring. Now I have a major one! I'll go through the threads to see whether I can sort it out with your help :)