I’m about to hit the sack but when I asked how chkdsk went you said no issues. That checks the state of all your system files and if no issues were found then I fail to understand why you’re seeing a blank desktop.

How long ago did these problems start? Can you remember doing anything specific that started them?

Can you start Windows in Safe mode? Google how to do that if needed.

I’ll be back in nine hours to see how you’ve got on.

18 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

@whisky, you can find the solutions to problems by asking Google. I entered “unable to access onedrive” and several solutions were offered.

It’s more complicated to run P3D on a Mac than Windows PC so you’re best off sticking with Windows despite the problems you’re experiencing with OneDrive. I’ve never used that feature but i can’t imagine it’s difficult to remove files from it. Certainly no P3D files should be on it.

You keep talking about a new HDD but then say you have an SSD. I’m confused. Perhaps you could start by describing your hardware. Plus how many times have you reinstalled P3D.

Finally, I asked you to run Chkdsk. How did that go?

I just ran the F12 boot up.  Respnse.  "Your device ran into a problem and couldn't be repaired"

mj

The plot, as they say, thickens.

I have installed a new SSD  drive.  Part way through the setup it says "Let's connect you to a network."

Locks and can't connect.  I have 3 network setups avaiiable.  Won't connect to any of them.  The suggested FIX doesn't work. (Nothing to see here)

So I can't proceed and I am absolutely over this Microsoft word not allowed.

I also tried to log into my Microsoft account and response was. "No such account exists"

At this point I am ready to pack it in and try golf.

The fact that you are not getting a desktop displayed is really weird.

Your installation might be corrupt indeed but I'm not sure what to recommend. You said the Windows menu appears with the keyboard action, so could it be that you have simply enabled the auto-hide function of the toolbar ? Or could it be that your screen resolution has not been recognized properly and everything is there but off screen limits ?

If you right click on that black background, do you get a mouse menu with access to "properties" or "Display settings" or something like that ?

2 hours ago, whisky said:

I also tried to log into my Microsoft account and response was. "No such account exists"

At this point I am ready to pack it in and try golf.

The "no such account exists" message is scary... are you absolutely sure you are using the correct email account to identify there ?

Just to be sure, have you tried to go to a microsoft webpage and see if you can identify there ? I'm thinking for example about the main Microsoft home page, for example.

 

Just a quick note, after a 6 hour session I ended up reinstalling the original drive.

It has proven that th previous installation was full of holes.

Desktop etc looking as it should so now the mamoth tasking of setting everything up again.

Thanks for your patience, I should have biffed that last install straight up.

Hopefully I can leave you in peace for while.

Regards, Kev

@whisky, the problems you describe are a mystery to me. I get the feeling we’ve only been told part of the story. Anyway, good luck. 👍

Your last comment "Good luck"

Not for this little black duck.  PC has died, not a spark.  Probably power supply.

I built this PC 4 years ago but with my brain fog now I dare not try. So into the local techie.

Back in a few days. BTW "I get the feeling I have only been told part of the story"  What,exactly do you mean?

Cheers

33 minutes ago, whisky said:

Back in a few days. BTW "I get the feeling I have only been told part of the story"  What,exactly do you mean?

Read back through your posts and imagine you’re another P3D user. It started with a minor scenery reordering issue. It ended up with you getting a new hard drive and then comments about Windows 11.

Finally, you’ve exceeded your install count so need to contact LM. Now your computer has died. So many separate issues in such a short time.

What power supply did you buy? A quality one?

7 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Read back through your posts and imagine you’re another P3D user. It started with a minor scenery reordering issue. It ended up with you getting a new hard drive and then comments about Windows 11.

Finally, you’ve exceeded your install count so need to contact LM. Now your computer has died. So many separate issues in such a short time.

What power supply did you buy? A quality one?

The power supply is 4 years old and was top of the line cost about $600 from memory.

It started this morning, the on/off switch is suspect.  But even in the last few days, things that normally install and work, don't.  Simlink, Orbx to name a few.  In task manager a number of files have a little green leaf, apparently power saver.  I tried to turn them off but couldn't.

Sim Brief downloader used to create the path but doesn't any more.

Bloody Onedrive.  I have removed by many and all means but it just keeps on restarting.  It is now doing the same on our other 2 PC's.

I am still convinced that Windows 11 is root cause of the problem, black screens, onedrive keeps blocking access.

Just fyi, I spent 30 years installing and setting up POS systems in service stations and supermarkets until I retired in 2015.

I have dimentia now, but only in early onset but I am finding even simple tasks are getting much harder.  So the flight sim is keeping my brain active and therefore very important to me.

Thanks for you support and understanding.

There was an issue recently with a Windows update that affected OneDrive and removed local files. I believe it was subsequently fixed but this might have been what you experienced. With flightsim it's always best to uninstall OneDrive from your pc IMO. You can still use it via the web (which is what I do to keep backups) but Windows occasionally attempts to reinstall so be vigilant.

7 hours ago, whisky said:

Just fyi, I spent 30 years installing and setting up POS systems in service stations and supermarkets until I retired in 2015.

I have dimentia now, but only in early onset but I am finding even simple tasks are getting much harder. 

Firstly, my sympathies. Horrible disease. If able, perhaps employ the services of a professional to resolve the computer problems.

I did this several years ago when having problems with USB devices disconnecting and reconnecting. Turned out the powered USB hub was not compatible with Windows 10. Most unusual problem.

Good luck. 👍

On 5/1/2026 at 11:25 AM, Dave_YVR said:

How long ago did you email their support regarding the key? 

A week tomorrow.  Took 5 days all up.

On 5/6/2026 at 1:50 AM, Ray Proudfoot said:

Read back through your posts and imagine you’re another P3D user. It started with a minor scenery reordering issue. It ended up with you getting a new hard drive and then comments about Windows 11.

Finally, you’ve exceeded your install count so need to contact LM. Now your computer has died. So many separate issues in such a short time.

What power supply did you buy? A quality one?

The power supply is 4 years old and was top of the line cost about $600 from memory.

It started this morning, the on/off switch is suspect.  But even in the last few days, things that normally install and work, don't.  Simlink, Orbx to name a few.  In task manager a number of files have a little green leaf, apparently power saver.  I tried to turn them off but couldn't.

Sim Brief downloader used to create the path but doesn't any more.

Bloody Onedrive.  I have removed by many and all means but it just keeps on restarting.  It is now doing the same on our other 2 PC's.

I am still convinced that Windows 11 is root cause of the problem, black screens, onedrive keeps blocking access.

Just fyi, I spent 30 years installing and setting up POS systems in service stations and supermarkets until I retired in 2015.

I have dimentia now, but only in early onset but I am finding even simple tasks are getting much harder.  So the flight sim is keeping my brain active and therefore very important to me.

Thanks for you support and understanding.

Have decided to bite the bullet and take it to a local techie.

Should I uninstall all licenses?

TIA