10-15 minutes To Boot Up?

My comuter normally takes about 2 minutes to boot up. Unfortunately yesterday it just hanged after the first black screen with the windows symbol in the middle and after about 10-15 minutes there was a message that it could not boot and tried to do an automatic repair. The message later said it could not repair the problem automatically and would send an error message on line.

It booted up fine into safe mode and I deleted my graphics card driver in case that was the problem. I used a third party programme to run a disk check and now it will eventually boot up into windows after hanging on the same screen for 10 to 15 minutes which is very frustrating - the graphics card driver was automatically loaded after it boot up into Windows with no option of a roll back. I recently upgraded to Windows 7 service pack 1 and also upgraded my ATI Raedon 4300/4500 series Graphics card driver to version to 8.821.0.0 dated 26-1-10.

I have no idea where to start debugging this problem so any help would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

Chris

Hi there
10to 15 mins on bootup then definitely "Houston We have a problem ....".

I should re-install -- it's often difficult to pinpoint exactly what's happenning in this type of scenario.

A re-install will probably take less time that trying to find out whats wrong and fix it.

Incidentally you should keep various image backups so you can alway restore to an earlier point in time where the system was functioning correctly.

You can start in SAFE MODE and get a prompt after drivers are loaded but this takes forever. If you suspect a "duff driver" just remove it and let Windows or the manufacturere of the card replace it next time you boot.

Cheers
jimbo

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately system restore was turned off. I have now turned it on and created a new restore point but this is only after the problem occurred.

I do have a back up clone of the drive dating from about 2 weeks ago that I can use in an emergency. However I would prefer to try my best to repair the damaged drive first before faling back on that.

Kind Regards

Chris

Try a Clean Boot Procedure to learn what programs are running unseen which can be causing problems. Turn off all Startup items except AV and gadgets: Startup Programs - Change

Study the Event Viewer>Custom>Admin view for repeat errors to google text and ID# for resolution. Check also the Performance log on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking your WEI score link at Computer>Properties. Check for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate A System Health Report.

Look for issues cued in Action Center in System Tray. Type "Solutions" in Start Search box to see if any have been sent for Problems reported or not. Always report problems when asked as Windows 7 is interactive this way.

Check for infection by installing Malwarebytes, update, run a Full Scan. Many issues can be solved by running a free lightweight AV like MS Security Essentials or Avast 5 with the Windows 7 Firewall for best performance. 32 bit Avast 5 will give you a deep boot scan.

Test your hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes or overnight: RAM - Test with Memtest86+, then test the HD using maker's diag/repair full CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp..

Look in Device Manager for devices in error, update drivers on key devices.

Check temps for overheating by installing SpeedFan, blow dust out of the case using canned air, check all connections carefully avoiding static discharge to components by touching case first, reseat RAM.

Trace Windows 7 boot-shutdown-hibernate-standby-resume issues - MSFN Forums

Some of these steps suggested for cleaning up a factory bloatware install might help.

Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to repair any damaged or corrupt OS files.

As a last resort before reinstall try a Repair Install which can fix most problems as it reinstalls the OS while keeping all programs, files and settings in place.

Tips for a clean reinstall, which is actually better than getting a new computer with today's bloated factory pre-installs.