Windows 8 Blank Purple Screen After My User Login In. (Curser visable, No Tiles, No Start Menu) But Other Users Can Log In Without Problems

Please help... (I have read other similar posts to mine & agree that they probably experienced the same issue I am having as well. But I do not understand the instructions on how to correct the issue do to my lack of experience with Windows 8.)

I purchased a Toshiba Laptop with Windows 8 on it in June 24, 2013, this is my first time using this operating program. While it's been quite a learning experience, I'm really liking the Win 8 program. Until this morning when I encountered my 1st problem since owning this laptop.

MY FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE WITH MY WIN 8 LAPTOP:

When I opened my laptop this morning my user sign in screen appeared as normal, I signed in with my Microsoft password, then the screen went blank, purple, with only a cursor. No Start Menu, No applications, Nothing but a purple screen & my mouse pointer. I can go back to the lock screen by using my keyboard & pressing (Windows + L) & I can (Ctrl+ Alt+ Delete) & get the Task Manager. But from there I have no clue what to do with the Task Manager because Win 8 Task Manager seems so different than Win 7 task manager in my opinion

I have used Windows 7 & I'm pretty familiar with how to navigate through these type issues, with simple suggestions, when I have had to in the past. But I now am running Win 8 & need step by step instructions on how to do simple tasks it seems everyone else already understands. (I do not yet own a smart phone, tablet, etc. so I'm a bit behind I suppose.)

1) Someone instructed another user to try "System Restore", which I am familiar with from Win 7, but have no idea how to navigate to it on Win 8. Then someone stated to Use "Windows 8 Restore" to correct this issue. What is the difference & how do I do this? 

2) Someone also stated that a Dell Tech helped them through the process of a "Complete Machine Reset" but didn't give the details. What does this do? I know it's not something I want to do unless absolutely necessary, but that is all I know. Will I loose all my files, pictures, & saved data? Or just basic apps & passwords & some or all my downloaded information?

Can someone please explain in more detail what I should try to correct the issue & in what order to try these suggestions? I can figure this out I'm sure, if just explained to me step by step... Assuming I have no clue what I am doing at all. Because I most likely will not have any clue. Thanks in advance for your patience!   -Nikki

September 21st, 2013 1:36am

I can (Ctrl+ Alt+ Delete) & get the Task Manager. But from there I have no clue what to do with the Task Manager because Win 8 Task Manager seems so different than Win 7 task manager in my opinion

Does it have a More details button?  You would need to use that to get to a more familiar display.   Otherwise it would just look like the old one's Applications tab and without anything running probably appear empty.

So, your symptom may mean that explorer.exe has stopped running for some reason (though strange I think that it would not try to recover).  Then, you could use TM to try starting it again, or you could use it to try starting other things, e.g. using the File, Run... command.   Alt-F, etc.   Or try switching to a different account.  E.g. it may only be a problem with your account, not the whole OS.

 

HTH

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September 21st, 2013 8:50pm

I just had the same issue. I simply restarted the machine and everything was back... Weird...
January 14th, 2014 4:40am

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