Windows 7: Windows not starting after Windows Update

Hi guys,

Last night my computer applied the Windows updates that it had automatically downloaded and this morning when I tried to turn on the computer, Windows would not start. Whenever I try to boot up the computer, it gets past the bios screen then the monitor proceeds to go into sleep mode. I have looked around but could not find a solution to the problem so I figured that I would seek help here. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

Press F8 at boot to get the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Select Last know configuration that worked.

See if that fixes it.

If not boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair which should offer to automate System Restore.

If not and it doesn't repair it, run System Restore manually from the Options list.

Hmm I tried both of those options and they didn't work. It might be a video card problem, I'll let you know if I find anything out.

Can you boot a Linux Knoppix disk or Hiren's boot disk XP OS (in blue link below) to see if the hardware functions correctly? If so you know it's the OS and can also copy out your files.

There are other steps here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start including hardware tests. Everything possible that can done is there leading up to Factory REcovery or Reinstall.

I just swapped out my video card for my old video card and its working now, so it appears to be a video card problem. I'll try to mess around with it if I have time in the next few days to make sure. Thanks for the help!

Sometimes reinstalling the card or the driver, or updating or rolling back driver, is all it needs.