The laptop is an ASUS X5DC running Windows 7 (although I have an idea the OS is not the original one). The mousepad is ELAN PS/2 Port Smart-Pad (that is what it says in Device Manager). The touchpad icon in the tools tray has a red X on it. When I right click on the device in Device Manager, and then go to Properties, I get this message :- This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all it's drivers installed (Code 24). I feel this is an installation issue. Windows updates are fine and create a System Restore, but if you use system restore, it says it has failed. Also, I can't use the interface of the Antivirus, but it is installed.

There is no option to rollback, and I have tried uninstalling and re-installing a few times. I have just tried a registry cleaner, but the problem still exists.

The mouse is working fine. It's the touchpad (mousepad) that won't work. The icon in the tools tray is like a screen with a big red X through it. It appears under Hidden Devices in Device Manager, but I am getting error code 24 on it.

Sorted that out in safe mode. Thank God. Managed to find the Elan PS/2 Port Smart Pad in the Hidden Devices' in Device Manager. That has an eclamation mark on a yellow triangle on it. Under the properties, I get this message :- This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all it's drivers installed. (Code 24) I have Googled this problem to no avail, and have reinstalled Driver Software from numerous sources. I have also noticed that System Restore fails all the time (even though Windows Updayes have completed successfully). And although it let me install Avast Security, It won't let me open the user interface or program. I think there must be registry keys missing. Maybe the version of Windows 7 installed is a replacement of the original one, and not the exact one needed for this particular laptop.

What a tool I really am!!!!!! I found the correct touchpad driver software and installed it. It still wouldn't work, so I brought up the propertis. I have gone and clicked on 'disable when external mouse is plugged in' like the big eejit I am. Now the external mouse won't even work. I give up.

Everything sorted now I think (used Driver Genius Pro). Everything except the mousepad that is. Installed the update packages, but the mousepad still does not work. I guess that was actually broke after all. If there are any suggestions on it, I would be greatful. If not, I would like to thank all you guys again for your continued help and support. Many Thanks:-)

Managed to get Windows updates up to date, but having a problems with the graphics one (Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. - Display - SiS Mirage 3 Graphics). Installing this takes me back to square one, so I have to roll back the driver to boot up normally. Doing this gives limited functionability graphics wise (no screen saver etc). I have been on the Asus website, but can't find an alternative download. Next thing is, I need to get the Wireless Capabilities (LAN) on the laptop to start automatically. I have looked at the services to try and find it, but I can't. Therefore, I have to start it automatically everytime I reboot. Laptop model - ASUS X5DC running on Windows 7 Professional OS.

Also, I can't work out how to set updates to install important ones only. I am updating manually at the moment, and am avoiding optional updates.

I am doing all the Windows Updates now. There has only been one failed out of 90 or so up to now, I will deal with that one later. Service Pack one has only just been installed, so I have got a long way to go. Each pc I have got has already had the likes of Adobe Reader, Acrobat etc on them. Even Synaptics Pointing Device installed. It seems that these particular type of programs, and others you would normally see in the start up list on msconfig are missing in this case.

msconfig shows that the only program on startup is the anti virus I installed earlier. How can I get an update of everything else that's needed like Adobe products etc?

Thanks for all your help guys. I managed to roll back the graphics driver in safe mode and Hey Presto, it worked I had to activate Windows, and although it is 2 years old, it's like a brand new laptop. There are lots and lots of Windows updates which was inevitable, and I am doing them now (touch wood). I can't use a screen saver because the graphics driver needs updating. I hope Windows Update will do that for me and everything will be ok. I will keep you all informed. Thanks a million everyone. And to think, this has been into a shop for repairs and my friend was told it was either unrepairable, or it would cost him a fortune. He also told him that a scre inside had come loose and had damaged something????? Need also now to get Pointing Device working, but Windows Updates may do that also.

Created just a standard user account and restarted. Same thing. The weird thing is that I can hear the usual Windows wolcome sounds in the background, and there can't be a screen fault because I can see everything in safe mode. I can also see the starting windows logo at the beginning of boot. It seems that it is loading windows, but for some reason, the screen is completely black (as if the computer is turned off) just after the startin windows logo appears on normal startup.

I have managed to complete a full sacn with Malware Bytes that found no problems or infected files. I can't do one with Avast (which I have just installed in Safe Mode), as you can't start it in Safe Mode. I can also start the Command Prompt as Administrator in Safe Mode. Can't even get to the 'Logon' screen in normal mode because after the 'starting windows' logo goes of the screen, the screen is just pitch black. It looks like the CPU light is still flashing intermittently, that is what confuses me more. You can see the screen in Safe Mode and Repair Mode, but not in Normal Mode.

Haven't got the windows 7 disk.

Just checked 'Installed Programs', and it appears that the only programs on the laptop are the ones I have just installed in Safe Mode. Mouse Pad doesn't work so have to use a mouse.

Hi guys. I have a friends laptop, that just won't play ball. Basically, Windows appears to start normally, but after the starting Windows logo appears, the screen just goes blank (and stays blank). I have managed to start it in Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Command Prompt and Safe Mode with networking. All seem fine. I can go on internet, and surf, but only in Safe Mode. I have tried System Restore. The only restore point was day of purchase 'Crytical Update', but an attempt to do that failed. I got this message :- System Restore failed to extrace the file (C:\sExtend\sRmMetadata\sTxf) from the restore point. error code 0x80070005 (this code seems to be something to do with Windows Activation). I tried 'last known good configuration' and got the message 'Windows loaded normally'. I just can't understand why the screen goes black in normal mode. I have also done chkdsk c: /f /v /r (with cmnd prompt) but that hasn't helped. Must be something simple, but I can't figure it out. Thanks for help in advance.

Isn't it a bit dangerous to turn off system restore? And how do I do it please?

It is an ASUS laptop. I have only been doing a scan with Malware Bytes for a minute, and it's already found 1 infected object.

I think I have fixed it. I followed the instructions here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950505 under the (Let me fix it myself') part. Although the icons have not changed back to normal, it opens all programs correctly. Just doing a full scan with Malware Bytes now. Thanks for all your help.

No CD I'm afraid.

Even the installed anti virus is now associated with WMP so I can't start it to do a sacn. I have Googled this problem, but there are too many complicated suggestions. The ones I have tried do not work.

Even all my programs on my flash drive have changed to Windows Media type Files as soon as I plug it in.

I am trying to start Malware Bytes, but it is now a WMP file, so won't start.

I have just noticed also that most of the desktop icons have changed to Windows Media Player ones. It won't let me change them.

I have tried System Restore, but it keeps saying 'System Restore could not start'