Browser,mouse,pointer frozen on my dell laptopPLEASE help.

[cimoose]

I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop and the browser (pointer)is FROZEN I think the lap top crashed,how can I free the (mouse) by using the keyboard someone said try Ctrl,Alt,Numlock but this laptop does not have a Numluk key.Desperately need help. p.s. I am also a newbee

[Allan]

Just reboot the system (hold down the power button to turn it off, then restart it).

[cimoose]

Thank Allan I allready tried  that, also tried other things like restart having no luck

[Allan]

No luck with what? EXACTLY what happens when you try to restart - does the system shut down? Please explain.

[2x3i5x]

No luck with what? EXACTLY what happens when you try to restart - does the system shut down? Please explain.

Or does OP mean that restarting the laptop doesn't fix the problem?

Browser, mouse, pointer still frozen despite a clean reboot?

[cimoose]

thank2x3i5x  restarting doesn't fix the problem either does complete shutdown

[Allan]

Boot to safe mode. What happens?

[cimoose]

allan.  Booted to safe mode n/g what know?

[Allan]

Instead of one sentence responses please explain exactly what is going on. What happens when you boot to safe mode?

[2x3i5x]

in addition though, as a thought ... does a regular mouse work? (by regular, I mean one you have to plug in, not the one that comes with laptop)

[cimoose]

thank2x3i5x  the end of the mouse is round i have 3 or4 they are all the samethe dell does not accept that.?

[cimoose]

allan  we tried safe mode all we get is a black screen,don't forget i am somewhat of a newbee.

[Allan]

So you can't even get into safe mode? How did you try to get there.

Also, what is new or different since the last time everything worked properly (ie, new hw, new sw, virus, error, etc)?

And I know you are a "newbie", but you still need to explain EXACTLY what you mean so we can understand you.

[2x3i5x]

Cimoose, you did tap F8 repeatedly upon computer startup? That's usually how you get into the menu allowing you to boot to safe mode.

If you did, were you able to get a screen similar if not 100% same as the one in the screenshot below?

[quaxo]

thank2x3i5x  the end of the mouse is round i have 3 or4 they are all the samethe dell does not accept that.?

That is what is called a PS/2 mouse (the small round plug). Try a USB mouse, available most anywhere, even Walmart which has a USB mouse as low as $6.

After some research though, it seems this is a very common problem with the 1525 & 1526 models. A "fix" is explained here (with photos):
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19280661/19505726.aspx