Windows Boot Problem?

[Keebler Elf]

Over the past 2-3 days, when I start up Windows in the morning it gets past the Windows splash page to a black screen (which is normal) but then it hangs and doesn't reach the desktop (which is not normal).

Rebooting usually fixes the problem but today I had to do it three times before I got to the desktop.

I haven't added any programs or devices that might have started these problems.

Any ideas what's wrong or how I can diagnose it? (before I potentially reach the point where I can't get to my desktop at all)

 

[vavog]

Potential Hard Drive failure. Next time you get it started successfully, right click on your drive under My Computer, and select Properties.. then select Tools.. then select Check Now button. Check all options.. then reboot. Drive will be thoroughly scanned and checked for errors.

This is normally the problem. If not, its likely a bad file somewhere or possibly even a trojan messing with your system (just to name a few other options)

 

[joebear]

you have a potential hardware problem. I doubt it is the hard drive.

windows will hang or cause reboots if the HAL (Hardware abstract layer) is corrupted assuming if all the hardware is fine. You can have perfectly functioning hardware but if windows is corrupted then it wont function properly.

first try the windows repair function. you can reinstall windows on top without losing anything but dont reformat.

it could be your motherboard but usually you get error beeps helping you find where the problem is.

the only real way to solve the problem is checking all your hardware one by one removing all components and adding them one by one but that means a reformat of the main drive and reinstalling windows.

check out any error codes from the event viewer. classic view>admin tools>event viewer>click on system

in run type dxdiag and check for video problems.

 

[Radio_Shack]

Before you run ANY repair actions check your event log!

You can get there by right click on "my computer" icon on your desktop. Choose "manage". Click on the plus sign beside "Event Viewer" and select "system".

Check for any repeating errors. This will help you avoid running corrective actions that may do nothing for you. Once you have this info you can post anything suspicious back here (ie. check time stamp of time of last problems) we will HELP (we hope)!!!

This helped me diagnose that my hard drive was getting lots of errors.

Other fun ways to help diagnose is to run the "msconfig" tool. Windows XP has this. Not sure what other OS uses. Just run it from your Start|run. You can turn off drivers from loading (diagnostic startup/selective startup). This will sometimes tell you some things about what is casuing the problems.

 

[Edifice]

How about this problem?

When my friend turns on her notebook, the notebook beeps for a few seconds and then a message appears that says "Check cable/network plug/unplug".....something to that effect though.

It will not even load into Windows an hangs.

Can someone help me?

 

[vavog]

Curious Joebear! Why discount a hard drive failure (or corrupt file) so quickly? Isn't a Chkdsk an easy first step other than a windows repair or re-install? Would you want to check the easy stuff first?

The event log is always over-looked. Nice catch Radio Shack.

 

[vavog]

Beeps on boot are called Post Beep Codes. They are like Morse code. Count the beeps and try to determine if long beep or short beep and then go to vendor site for explanation. Its hardware related and could be bad memory, or a loose card, or anything to do with hardware.

example: One Long and Two Short Beeps = video, Three Long Beeps = keyboard (these are AMI examples only)

Good Luck!

 

[giz99]

Try this. After you start up hit Alt Ctrl Del to bring up the Windows Task Manager. Check under Processes. If a file called Svchost.exe is using up the majority of your resources that is your problem. It is a known microsoft bug that they are aware of but have not been able to fix. If you have automatic updates enabled on your computer then turn itoff. This program is checking to see if you have the latest updates for all your microsoft products. It will consume all your resources up to 45 minutes to determine that you have all the latest updates. This is worse for laptops which are turned off on a regular basis.

If you do not turn your computer off you will not have the above problem. There are some other ways to stop this problem PM me and I will send you instructions with more details.

Giz

 

[joebear]

Curious Joebear! Why discount a hard drive failure (or corrupt file) so quickly? Isn't a Chkdsk an easy first step other than a windows repair or re-install? Would you want to check the easy stuff first?

The event log is always over-looked. Nice catch Radio Shack.

nice catch indeed, since I posted it before Radio Shack.

 

[vavog]

My apologies Joebear.. indeed you did.