Start up option won't pop up

[paula7206]

I have Vista and have always been able to access my start up menu from left clicking my Windows icon in the lower task bar. Two months ago that ended and now I can't shut down my computer or access any programs, control panel, printer, etc....help
I have tried different programs to purge any malware, or viruses, but it still won't come up...thanks

 

[hang-the-9]

What happens when you hit the Windows key on the keyboard? Does the mouse work aside from the Start button?

 

[paula7206]

What happens when you hit the Windows key on the keyboard? Does the mouse work aside from the Start button?

hi, when i hit the windows icon it just pulsates a little but nothing happens....i don't have a mouse just the keypad. any other ideas? thanks

 

[hang-the-9]

All the other functions on the PC work fine? Can you open My Computer, My Documents, open other files, web browsers, etc...?

If you have a Windows disk, you can try to do a Repair setup of Windows, that will put back any corrupt or missing files from the operating system back without doing anything to your data.

If that does not work and you already ran though the virus removal guide from here, you may just have to fully re-install Windows after backing up your files and settings. Or buy a new hard-drive and install Windows clean on that one so you don't have to worry about losing anything on your current drive. Sounds like you have a laptop, so a new drive and a USB enclosure for your original drive would be what you need so you can copy the files back over.