Can I use a Repair Install to fix a corrupted User Profile

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[John]

On my relatively new (9 months old) Dell Inspiron, I (perhaps foolishly) agreed to a Dell support guy logging in to check on a problem. He was unable to connect with my usual login profile, and created a temporary new one and was able to connect without problem. His diagnosis was that my Profile was exhibiting symptoms of being corrupted (albeit not badly so at present).

So, is my profile likely to be corrupted? How can I independently check it out?

If it is corrupted, can I use a Repair Install to fix it (without losing mycurrent profile’s setup)? – he suggested I could but I wasn’t sure.

What thoughts?

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

• This topic was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by John. Reason: Corrected a few typos

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So questions first:
What version of Win10 are you running?
What symptoms are you experiencing? Can you log in with your ID?
Did the problem start after an update? or some event?
What repairs have you try? Did the Dell tech try?

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Hi PKCano,

Yes, I am on 1803, and following Woody’s updates recommendations.

The only symptom I know of attributed to  a profile problem is the inability of a Dell agent to connect to my machine using their standard menthod. The only other oddity which _may_ relate to profile is that I cannot install MS Mouse and Keyboard Center. I deleted the old version and now cannot install the new one or the old one. I’m not overly concerned at the loss of this piece of software but only mention it as an unexplained installation problem. I don’t know if it is relevant to a profile problem.

The ‘problem’ – as identified by the dell agent –  was also experienced a month or so ago by a different Dell agent, so I am not sure when it may have first occurred.

I have not tried any specific repairs, but the Dell agent suggested Repair Install. I really didn’t want to contemplate that without checking it out here first!

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

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Dell was unable to connect with your usual login profile.
— How was Dell was able to create a temporary new profile?
— Since it was a temporary new profile, I imagine it isn’t on your computer anymore?

On your usual login profile, can you Can you log in with your ID? as PKCano has requested?
— If you can, save your data immediately.
— Create a system image backup.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Hi cmptrgy,

I created the temporary profile at Dell agents request/instruction. The profile is disabled currently.

I can log in fine myself – it was just the Dell software that had a problem (So I thought).

I save my data regularly (Every night to NAS 1 + 6 incrementals plus full disc backup (Acronis periodically).

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

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It would seem to me that if you can log in using your ID, and your ID is not otherwise messed up, then the problem is not your profile. It would seem that the problem is with the software you are trying to install. Maybe not compatible, maybe Defender is preventing it, maybe some other problem.

Is your ID Admin or Standard?
Can you install anything else on your PC? Can you reinstall the old version? Or something else, like VLC Player, for example?

Then, I have to ask the silly question. Are you sure you were talking to a Dell rep on a verified Dell phone number or website?

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What is the Dell software you are trying to install?
— Is it downloaded but won’t install?

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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John wrote:

I cannot install MS Mouse and Keyboard Center. I deleted the old version and now cannot install the new one or the old one.

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmptrgy

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John wrote:

MS Mouse and Keyboard Center

See if there are helpful tips in here
Common Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center Setup Issues
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4034427/accessories-keyboard-troubleshooting-mouse-and-keyboard-center-setup

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

1 user thanked author for this post.

John

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Sorry for the confusion but a Dell agebt was trying to use ‘DellConnect’ to gain access to my system to check out a different problem. It would not play with me logged in using my normal (Admin) user, but did work with a newly created temporary admin user.

I mentioned the MS Mouse and keyboard problem as it was the only other oddity I could think off even though I thought it a low probability that it was connected. (cmptrgy, I will check out the link you gave, thanks!)

PKCano, yes I was talking to a DEll agent (from Bangalore).

It may therefore be an academic question, but is it possible to use a Repait Install to fix a (possibly) corrupt user profile?

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

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Would not worry about a having a corrupted profile because a technician was unable to install something to remote into my system.
I would need to have problems logging into my own account before suspecting a corrupt profile. Or see a microsoft windows error message indicating a login failure for example “The user profile service failed the login/the sign-in and user profile cannot be loaded”
In my opinion the answer to your academic question is no. If we are talking about the Windows 10 Repair feature called Startup Repair; this is for repairing issues booting into windows not for login/profile issues. A Windows 10 Reset might work according to the article below.
https://www.easeus.com/todo-backup-resource/fix-a-corrupted-user-profile-windows-10.html

1 user thanked author for this post.

John

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@barcud
You had mentioned that “I can log in fine myself” in post #1862359.
— It sounds like you can log in and use the computer.
Now you ask “It may therefore be an academic question, but is it possible to use a Repait Install to fix a (possibly) corrupt user profile?”
— The doubt it.

In spite of what Dell has recommended, see if the following applies as I’d like to ensure this is/isn’t the case up front.
— When you log in fine, what happens that convinces you that you possibly have a corrupt profile?

When you log in have you ever received a message along these lines?
— “We can’t sign into your account. This problem can often be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. If you don’t sign out now, any files you create or changes you make will be lost.” That’s followed by 2 choices: Sign out or Dismiss.
— The message isn’t always the same but usually similar.

The reason to know is if that is involved is a strong indication of your usual login profile is signing in as a “temporary profile” if you see that message.
— If that is the case, there is a fix for that and I don’t think trying to do a repair install will work in that situation.
— I could be wrong but I’d have to be proven to be wrong.
— Please let us know that error message or something similar to it has ever appeared.

Also it seems you’ve been in contact with Dell starting about a couple of months ago.
— Can you bring up a system image backup prior to that time frame when the computer was running ok?
— If you can do that, it would save a lot of time in troubleshooting for a solution of what needs to be solved.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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[John]

@cmptrgy,
Some answers to your questions:-

When you log in fine, what happens that convinces you that you possibly have a corrupt profile?

Nothing – only the comment off the Dell agent.

When you log in have you ever received a message along these lines?
— “We can’t sign into your account. This problem can often be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. If you don’t sign out now, any files you create or changes you make will be lost.” That’s followed by 2 choices: Sign out or Dismiss.
— The message isn’t always the same but usually similar.

No

Also it seems you’ve been in contact with Dell starting about a couple of months ago.
— Can you bring up a system image backup prior to that time frame when the computer was running ok?

Unfortunately, no.

Thanks to all who have answered my initial question. My conclusion is that I do not need to do anything extra at the moment – just keep an eye out for problems and maintain my regular backups.
Is there anything else you would recommend?

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by John. Reason: Typo

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“My conclusion is that I do not need to do anything extra at the moment – just keep an eye out for problems and maintain my regular backups.
Is there anything else you would recommend?”
— That’s an excellent conclusion. Happy computing.
— One recommendation I have is to create a 2nd Admin account.
— If your primary account does act up, you’ll have the 2nd Admin account to count on.
— I know that isn’t a typical recommendation but I do that anyway.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

1 user thanked author for this post.

John

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Thanks for your help @cmptrgy!

I will now ensure I have another ‘backup’ admin account should it be needed.

 

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

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On my 2nd admin account I set it up as I do my primary account. And I use that 2nd admin account for at least a couple of days during the week before the 2nd Tue (Patch Tuesday) each month. I don’t want an unexpected surprise if it’s actually needed.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Thanks again @cmptrgy

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 Core Ultra 7 155H 32GB Win 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.5189)
Dell Inspiron 15 7580 i7 16GB Win 11 pro 24H2 (26100.3775),
Microsoft 365 Version 2504 (18730.20122)
Location: UK

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