Windows 7: Startup Problem but OK in safe mode

Hi Guys, new here and not so techy so please be gentle! I'm doing this from work so I may not be able to supply lots of info immediately if you ask.

Here's my problem. I have a ASUS laptop/notebook which has been fine for months but over the weekend the Browser icons (IE8 and Firefox) stopped working and I couldn't access the internet. I tried to do a system restore to a week ago but apparently I had no restore points (I thought this was turned on automatically but apparantly mine wasn't!) so I did a restore from my external hard drive that I use for storage, (I store everything about once a month) this said system restore had been completed. Unfortunately I was still facing the non connection problem via the icons and, then I had to force a shut down as the arrow pointer just turned into a spinning circle anywhere near the start up button or task bar. When turning back on again I am faced with the pulsing Windows logo then the Welcome message but then a black screen. I've tried leaving it on this screen for over an hour to see if anything would happen but it didn't so I had to force another shut down. I tried safe mode and can access the internet by clicking on the desk top icons OK but now it wont load properly and I keep having to use safe mode to start up and/or connect to the internet. I'm also a little concerned that Avast! (free edition) may not be working in safe mode as it only states that 'Your computer is in safe mode' rather than 'Your computer is protected' (or words to that effect).

I'm hoping this will an easy fix but looking around the forum (and general web searching) I don't see the exact issue I have. Oh by the way, I don't seem to be able to get to startup repair either.

As stated earlier, I'm at work right now so may not be able to provide further info quickly but many thanks for any help or suggestions offered, it's all appreciated.

Regards,

Steve.

Hello Steve and welcome to Seven Forums.

Since you can get into Safe Mode I'd try running a systm file chedcker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) The SFC will search for dsamaged, corrupt, missing, etc system files and try to replace them with the correct version. If any problems are found, run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If this doesn't fix things you could also try these troubleshooting steps prepared by one of the Forum experts. The steps are time consuming but have helped many people isolate their computer problems.

Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Hi Marsmimar,

Many thanks for such a speedy response, there's nothing there that looks too complicated for me follow if I take my time (have I just put the kiss of death on it now? ).

As I said a little ealier I'm at work right now but I'll try your suggestions when I get home. I confess I need to be out tonight so it may actually be tomorrow night before I can spend any time with it but I'll post back in a day or so (in this thread) to let you know how I get on.

In the mean time... I really do appreciate your help and I'll be raising a toast to you this evening!

Regards,

Steve.

Hello Stumped1, at the same time, you may follow the set of instructions laid down it Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot .

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the delay in coming back, just work and family commitments getting in the way!

When I got home the other day my wife had been trying a few things out (pressing keys in a random fashion!) and came up an ACMON Error message and something about a chameleon engine being out of service. I have downloaded the latest drivers just in case but Safe Mode wont open the zip file.

Where I'm at now. I've discovered that I can't run several things in Safe Mode such as defrag or open downloaded files. Check Disk came up clean and I've done a Disk Clean Up. I'll try the SFC this evening, I've just not had time these last couple of days to do much of anything. I have Malwarebytes already and this showed no sign of problems but Avast (free edition) shows three things in the vault (all dated from before the problems started) so I don't think they are the problem. CCleaner shows all to be well.

Sometimes it will load (mostly) in normal mode, except for no icons working, sometimes it will only load in Safe mode when all icon work but some things (like defrag) wont. Anything with an icon on my desk top works fine in Safe Mode except IE8 and Firefox. I'm afraid I don't know which edition of FF I have.

In Normal Mode My wallpaper, a photo slide show runs very quickly at first, every few seconds, then slows to about every 10 seconds which is where it's set for and then after a few minutes it all stops. Arrow pointer will move across the screen but turns to spining blue circle in task bar.

I'll be beavering away over the weekend as I have no work on and I'll report any progress as and when I can.

Thanks, as ever,

Steve.

Take as much time as you need, Steve. I noticed you have an ASUS. According to a Microsoft Answer forum thread, the "acmon error, chameleon engine out of service" has something to do with a Splendid Video Enhancement application. And an ASUS forum thread also had some suggestions.

acmon error, chameleon engine out of service - Microsoft Answers

ASUS Splendid Video Enhancement Technology

This probably isn't related to the original problem but may be yet another problem to contend with.

The advice to uninstall the Asus video program has solved the issue before.

Since you're having issues with the preinstalled crapware I'd consider doing what most tech enthusiasts do and Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - everything you need is in the blue link.

Short of that you can Clean Up Factory Bloatware immediately establishing a Clean Boot to see if that resolves the startup issue. If not work through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot starting with Startup Repair and as suggested SFC.