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#1
Hi,
I hope this isn't a repeat of previous threads (I DID google to try to find an answer).
My problems started several weeks ago with random freezes and BSODs. Upon investigation I learned to run sfc /scannow which I did and it always found problems that it couldn't fix (even if I ran it 5 times in a row). At this point everything I read recommended re-installing Windows. So I did.
That fixed things for awhile, but I started to get random freezes. i ran sfc /scannow but it didn't find any errors. Eventually the freezes turned to total hangs. Then I began to have problems even getting back to Windows. I couldn't boot straight into Windows, I couldn't boot into (any of the) safe mode(s), I couldn't boot into the repair disk. What I mean here is that the boot process would proceed to a certain point (usually the Starting Windows screen) and just stop (even though my hard drive light would be running). I'm not sure how I did it (because every time I tried to re-create it I couldn't), but eventually I'd get to a chkdsk prompt and it would find and fix problems. Once that happened I would be able to get back into Windows.
I tried diagnosing the freezes, but couldn't come up with anything. One time I got into Windows Repair (from my Windows 7 install disk) and I ran Windows memory checker and it told me that I had RAM problems. A couple of years ago I ran into a bunch of BSODs that pointed to my RAM, but I was able to work around the problem. So this time I ordered new RAM (16GB (4x4Gb) of Crucial). By the time the RAM arrived my system was totally hosed (I couldn't boot into anything no matter what I tried). I replaced the RAM, fought with a stuck chckdsk switch (I have a USB keyboard and couldn't tell chkdsk not to run!) and everything was back to (better than) normal!
And then...
And then I started to get the temporary and intermittent freezes. I again googled for answers but was a little overwhelmed by all the results I found. I looked through my event manager, but couldn't make heads or tails of it. I brought up my resource manager so I could see what was running when it froze and the best I could come up with is that my network load was always huge when it froze. I have a wireless router and several items that run off of it besides my computer (Yamaha receiver, DirecTV, Wii, PS3 and my wife's laptop). I had an older USB wireless modem so I bought a new one (Netgear N600) and disconnected the Yamaha receiver and the DirecTV. There were still freezes. Then I got up this morning and all of my programs were hung. So I hit my reset switch and I'm back to my original problem.
That is, I can not boot into:
- Windows 7 normal
- any safe modes
- Windows 7 Install disk
- Windows 7 repair disk
- last known good configuration
The only thing I CAN boot into is an emergency boot disk that contains all kinds of diagnostic tools (Ultimate Boot CD). I've run Memtest but it found no errors.
I believe if I can somehow get to a command prompt to run chkdsk I can get back into Windows. But how can I do that?
Plus, once I'm back into Windows how do I diagnose the freezes? I've run a Western Digital program to check my hard drive, but it found no errors. If it's not my RAM and not my hard drive what could it be (and how do I figure that out)?
And please note that I'm NOT getting any BSODs - it just freezes.
Any/all help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Some more information:
- I have MS Security Essentials and have kept it up-to-date
- I also use Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster
- Just yesterday I updated MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and ran a quick scan - nothing found
- I have two external hard drives (500 Gb WD and a 750 Gb Seagate). I have unplugged (from the USB) the Seagate and my Netgear just to see if they are bogging down my computer (other than the RAM, they are the newest additions to my PC)
- When I try to boot into Windows repair (either from the Windows 7 install disk, the F8 menu or the Windows 7 repair disk) it usually gets all the way to the point that I see a cursor arrow on a black screen. And then it stops (although my HD light keeps blinking)
- When I try to boot into any of the safe modes I get all the drivers loaded and then it stops with the text still on the screen (again - the HD light keeps blinking)
- When I try to boot into normal windows, I get the "Starting Windows" screen and the Windows logo forms and then starts to 'pulse' and that's where I end (again - the HD light is on and blinking)
- these boot stop places are pretty consistent
I am at a total and complete loss with this issue. My gut is telling me that it's something with the hardware, but I just don't know. I'm hoping it's not MB related.
Last edited by Brink; 18 Jan 2012 at 13:15. Reason: merged consecutive posts