Windows 2000 Professional

we have this pc (our first) almost 3 weeks. three days ago at start up we are getting a window titled "Getting Started with Windows 2000" down in the lower left corner there is a square checked to "Show this screen at start up." if we did something to make this happen we are totally unaware. since this window has been appearing at start up the mouse has disappeared.if someone could help us or let us know if there are there any tutorials that would walk me through fixing this problem. any help would be very much appreciated.
fad.

First question, do you have kids? It sounds like it could be little gremlins playing around. About the mouse, see if it is plugged firmly into the proper spot at the rear of the computer. Sometimes it can be dislodged accidentally. Lastly, uncheck the box and you won't be bothered with that message again.
Miles

no kids miles, just us seniors which is probably worse. the plug is also ok. is removing that check in the box one of the things that can be done usng the key board?
thanks, fad

I am not sure about using the keyboard to remove that check, but I suspect it can be done. It is probably in your Startup folder in the Start menu under Programs. You can go to it and press Delete to remove it....

You might want to check in Device Manager to see what it says about the mouse, I suspect that you will find a problem there since it is unlikely that the Introductory screen is causing mouse failure. I believe you can get to Device Manager by pressing the Windows key to open the Start menu, go to Control panel using the arrow keys, go to System, arrow key to Hardware and tab down to Device Manager, hit Enter to open Device Manager. If the mouse has a yellow mark by it, tab to it and Remove it. Reboot and Windoze will reinstall it.

If the mouse doesn't have a yellow mark by it, you may not be able to access it.

Another possibility to consider: if you don't have firewall, antivirus and generally good security, you may have an intruder that is interfering with your mouse. What kind of security are you using???

And Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

Thanks Budfred.
Finally were able to click the mouse off and got rid of that window. However the next time we turned the computer on the mouse was gone. At least that window wasn't there!!!! That was three days ago, haven't seen the mouse since. I have just been searching the archives. We'll work on it this evening. Thanks so much for getting us started.
fad

Did you manage to get into Device Manager?? If you did, what did it show for the mouse? Have you tried a different mouse?

Could you please go here (http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/) and download HijackThis. Run it and save the log, then copy and paste tho log and post it here....

Do not remove anything with it yet, most of what will be shown is safe or needed.

No, I never did found anything titled Device Manager. I went to the Hijack site, was afraid to open it on this imac. That was my wake up call.
After I "Thank" you folks for trying to help me/us. I apologize for taking up your time. I am in way over my head here.
I think you folks are doing a wonderful service on these forums helping people with their problems.
I will remain on the list as I find it to valuable not to.
Thanks again.
Wishing you the Best of Health,
fad

As for taking up our time: most of us hang out here because we like helping other people solve their computer problems and we can make it as simple as you need if you give us enough info to work with.

As for having an iMac, you are probably in the wrong forum. We generally deal with PCs here although there are a few people around who use Macs. Your best bet if you are using an iMac would be to find a Mac forum and ask there....

I have the imac. We got this 2 yr old PC a few weeks ago. It has Windows 2000 Professional in it. I was just in the process of looking around to see what all was in it. I never touched any settings. The third evening we had it, we turned it on that is when the mouse problem started.
We donÕt have the PC on the internet. I figured I need to learn how to use it just a wee bit before putting it on line.
I am sorry for confusing you. I realize now that from the beginning I should have stated I was using the imac while trying to get the PC to work.
fad

If the PC doesn't have any files on it that you really need or want and you have the Win2K disk, your best bet might be to wipe the drive and start over. If it is a computer than someone else has been using for a while there could be all sorts of problems with the install that would take a lot of effort to fix, especially if you are not familiar with PCs. It also seems even more likely that you could have some intruders on there that are causing the problem if you are not familiar with the history of how it was used....