Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, blank screen for 2 mins, Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, repeat

Question

Has anyone experienced an issue where the password prompt never appears after hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL? This happens about 30% of the time when I start or try to unlock my computer. The only resolution is to turn the machine off and hope that it doesn’t happen the next time. If my computer was locked, this means I lose any unsaved work in programs that can’t auto-recover.

Exciting video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfBCLxwHtrY

Solution 1

This turned out to be caused by a bug in the McAfee endpoint encryption that was specific to my chipset. A software update resolved the issue.

Solution 2

• Try it in Safe Mode. If it doesn't happen then it's probably a piece of software (either an application or a non-essential driver) that's causing the delay.

If it does appear to be a piece of software, you can use MSConfig and/or Autoruns to selectively start enabling/disabling startup stuff, to hopefully hammer down the culprit.

• Try System Restore to go back to a date/point before this started happening.

• Try creating another user and see if it behaves the same way.

• Try unplugging any/all peripheral devices (printers, joysticks, mp3 players, etc.) and see if it reacts any differently.

Comments

[henry700]

Are you on a domain?

[paradd0x]

Is this a wireless keyboard?