Windows freezes shortly after startup

I am assuming this is the best forum of this post.


About two weeks ago, I was on the internet and my laptop froze, I forced shut and restarted the laptop, and was greeted with a black screen saying "Realtek Family Controller, Media test failure, check cable" Although I don't use an ethernet cable to use the internet (I use wireless), I plugged one in and windows started up normally.


Fastforward to two days ago, I was watching a video offline and my laptop froze, plus made a loud noise. I forced a shut down, and restarted. But now I only have to turn the laptop on, and it just freezes for no reason. Loading Google Chrome, or just looking in my folders. Only way to use laptop is in Safe Mode!

Therefore I am using Safe Mode with networking to post this and using IE 8 aswell as Chrome makes it freeze even in Safe Mode.

My Specs:

AMD Athlon II P360 Dual core Processor 2.29GHz
Windows 7 home Premium
RAM: 4.00GB
File System; NTFS
Capacity: 298 GB (Used 91.5 GB)


I have also downloaded Malwarebytes and ran it, and there was no spyware/malware on my computer. I have also ran the Windows memory diagnostic, but when it says it will display, the results once it restarted, I get no results so I assume there was no problem.

I have tried to use scandisk but it freezes.

Enter BIOS setup to make sure HD is set first to boot.

Then work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

If you can't boot use these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot starting with the memtest.

Carl Lawrence said:

What do mean by loud noise? Could it be overheating?

The sound of a cd/media file getting stuck. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr type of noise.


The fan was whirring but it wasn't that type of noise.

gregrocker said:

Enter BIOS setup to make sure HD is set first to boot.

Then work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

If you can't boot use these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot starting with the memtest.

And yes, HDD is the first to start on the bios screen.

I tried doing the memtest via a usb stick, and when I plugged it in my laptop started up as normal and didn't run it/ Although the screen went black fro about 30 seconds before bringing up the 'starting windows' screen.

How did you write memtest to the flash stick?

You can use this tool which provides memtest and many of the other bootable tests needed except Win7 repair for which I'd use the installer ISO provided written to stick. Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD) from a USB flash drive | USB Pen Drive Linux

I have run the memtest, only had time for 2 passes. Is it essential to wait until it's at least 7? Why so high?

Also I managed to load up windows normally, but it froze just after posting the above message.

So I'm back posting this message in Safe Mode with networking :/

You want to stress test the RAM by running as many passes as possible, including overnight.

Continue working through the steps from either of the Troubleshooting tutorials, depending upon if you can stay booted.

I was getting nowhere through that list so I took my laptop to a local man who did a full health check, and found that part of the hard drive was getting corrupted. And I had two options, either have him reinstall windows and (the problem may occur further down the line) or get a new hard drive aswell as a new windows install...


I chose the latter as I'd rather my laptop work and be on tenterhooks waiting it to happen again.