Computer locked out

[devadiva]

I have just typed this all in once and it has disappeared!!
My computer is an HP and has windows XP. Left computer on standby whilst I had lunch and came back to find it had locked out. When this happens I usually unplug it at the mains and siwtch on again and it is ok. This time - no.
The wall paper and icons appeared but down in the right hand corner I usually have EN in a little box and a sign that looks like 2 t.v's on top of each other. These have not appeared. The egg timer does not change to an arrow and when I move it to open emails the icon darkens but it does not open.
How do I get it to work again in simple language please I shall be eternally grateful

[owdhamer]

could be a virus

[VHG]

The problem with unplugging a computer at the mains is that Windows does not do a controlled shut down and save all files and so on.

So sometimes your hard disk can become corrupt, causing numerous problems.

Always best, if you can, to do a controlled shut down (but not always possible).

As this is XP it may not have such good recovery capabilities as later versions like Vista or Windows 7.

You could try pressing the F8 key during start up (before Windows loads) so you get a list of options.

One of these options may be repair (I think XP has that option) and see if Windows can do a repair.

Also you can try to go back to the "latest good known configuation" which i think is also available on that list of options.

Also you could try doing a check disk on the hard disk (search the Windows help for "check disk" or "CHKDSK" to see how to run a check disk). This will seach for errors on the disk and correct them.

A While sicne I used XP so cant remember exacly what options there are.

[stevec000]

try a system restore and out ur pc back to an ealier date befor this happened.

[methyl]

Take no notice of the "system restore" advice above. Even if you have installed something new and the computer misbehaves that would still be a last resort.

Is this a laptop? Do you have wireless internet or something else?

First idea is that your virus scanner is updating and is blocking other processes. Let it finish. Second (and most likely) idea is that your internet connection needs resetting. Third is that it is downloading Microsoft updates.

Btw. If this is a laptop, there should be a key with a Sun symbol to get it out of standby.

The EN box is just English/US keyboard settings. The other "two screens" icon is the network connection symbol.