W7 hanging at splash screen

cmh · 14 Jun 2013

Hi guys, I have W7 x64 installed with all updates. I am running the OS from a SSD with about 10gig free, and also have a second drive with approx 500gig free.

My system has been trouble free until just recently it would not start, after some testing we worked out the problem was hardware with the PSU so we replaced the unit.

Now I find the system hangs when at the W7 splash screen (with the 4 coloured flag emblem and the words "starting Windows 7 Home Premium".

This was unexpected as it appears to be a software problem, and the system was not actually running when the PSU died, so windows should not have been affected.

My problem is now I cannot even get into the system using safe mode or booting from the W7 DVD.

- I initially could access the OS drive via safe mode, so I attempted to reinstall W7 using the DVD over the top of the existing W7 install, hoping this would fix the issue and avoid a more drastic complete format of the OS disk. But the install will not complete as it always also hangs at the now dreaded splash screen. And I can no longer access the drive using safe mode as I now get an error saying "the installation cannot be completed using safe mode, the instal will now reboot your system" which then ends up ganing at the splash screen.

- If I try booting from the W7 disk it jumps straight to the splash screen (after installing some unspecified files) and the system then just hangs.

I have tried using a bootable XP DVD to get to a level where I can just reformat the OS drive, but this failed as it could not detect a windows OS.

Basically I am at the stage now that I just want to reformat the OS drive, but how can I do that? Safe mode menu does not have an option to start with a DOS screen (like the good old days) and starting with command prompt option just goes to the dreaded splash screen and hangs.

So I guess my questionis, how can I bypass W7 and reformat my OS drive (drive C), or alternatively can I cancel the now hung incomplete reinstal so that I can use safe mode to access the OS drive again?

Thanks heaps in advance!

Cheers all

Golden · 14 Jun 2013

cmh said:

how can I bypass W7 and reformat my OS drive (drive C), or alternatively can I cancel the now hung incomplete reinstal so that I can use safe mode to access the OS drive again?

Hi,

You need to use the CLEAN and FORMAT commands available from DISKPART.

Do this:

Note

Physically disconnect the HDD for now

1. Boot from the Windows 7 DVD as if you were going to install
2. At the Language Screen press SHIFT+F10 - this will open a command window:

Command Prompt at Startup

3. Now follow this tutorial to run the CLEAN command -Steps 1,3,4,5,6 and 7 only

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

4. Now proceed to format the disk and create a new installation partition - OPTION 2 Step 1 to 8 only

Partition or Volume - Create New

I recommend using these:

Code:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk 0
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

It ensures proper alignment of the SSD as described here:
SSD Alignment

Now close the command window, and try to install as you normally would. If installation completes succesfully, reconnect the HDD again.

Regards,
Golden

cmh · 15 Jun 2013

Hi Golden thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a detailed and helpful response.

Re working with the W7 DVD - it always goes straight to the splash screen and hangs, I never get to the menu you mention. Do I just spam Ctrl +F10 after selecting "press any key to boot from CD" - I did try that and still ended up at the dreaded splash screen. Maybe I just didnt spam it enough (you know like hitting F8 etc).

With physically disconnecting the drive do you mean actually removing its connection to the MB? Yeah its prolly a dumb question but just want to be sure because I dont understand how you can complete the installation to a disk that is unplugged as per your last step?

EDIT: also another dumb question but there are two connection cables in the back of the SSD do I disconnect both? I dont understand how all the steps above can happen if the HDD/SSD is disconnected?

UPDATE:

This just is happening for me. Even with the problem SSD/HDD disconnected when I boot from DVD it loads files and then goes straight to the "starting windows" splash screen and hangs. I dont ever get to any dialogue box or any chance to select any options.

Any ideas what I may be doing wrong? Occam's razor tells me the most likely issue is me ;-)

All help will be appreciated as I have an online uni exam due and need the files on my main pc....

Golden · 15 Jun 2013

Physically disconnect one of the cables from the back of the HDD - leave the SSD alone, since that is where you wish to install Windows 7 to.

Enter the BIOS when the PC boots by continuosly hitting the DEL key on the keyboard. Once in the BIOS, Find the option that shows the boot order of the SSD/HDD/DVD - make sure the DVD is 1st in this order. Press F10 to save and exit the BIOS setting you just changed.

Insert the installation DVD and boot the PC, It will now boot from the DVD, and you should now be able to install.

cmh · 15 Jun 2013

Ok thanks. Will try that right now.

ps: there are two cables connecting the secondary HDD which does not have the OS on it ie not the SSD) .... I guess I remove both ......

update: the boot order was already correct ie DVD drive first then the SSD. The result is the same - the DVD goes straight to the splash screen and hangs (after about 15 secs of loading files)

Is there any way at all I can reformat this SSD drive without W7 ????

Golden · 15 Jun 2013

Yes, There are but they are more complicated. We arent beat yet though.........

Perhaps the DVD is damaged, So lets make a new one......a USB version more precisely.

Download the correct version of Windows 7 ISO here:
Microsoft

Install it to a 4GB USB flash drive using this tool:
Microsoft US Online Store

When done, Boot from this USB flash drive and try install as normal. Make sure all other devices are unplugged from the PC.

cmh · 15 Jun 2013

thanks for hanging in there withme ... can I use a blank dvd as I dont have a 4 gig usb stick?

update is this the correct iso:

(I have windows 7 64 bit home premium)

Oh dear just realised its a 3 gig file, i am on a 5 gig cap (impoverished uni student) so its not going to be an option for me

Is there no way I can just get to like a dos command that lets me format c: (like the good old days)

Or anyway i can cancel the half completed reinstal so that i can get into the drive via safe mode?

Also I cant understand why booting from both the DVD and the SDD give the same result of hanging at the splash screen it just doesnt make sense ?? Is there a way to shorcut the splash screen on the dvd and get to the menus?

Thx

Golden · 15 Jun 2013

Yep

jimbo45 · 15 Jun 2013

cmh said:

Hi guys, I have W7 x64 installed with all updates. I am running the OS from a SSD with about 10gig free, and also have a second drive with approx 500gig free.

My system has been trouble free until just recently it would not start, after some testing we worked out the problem was hardware with the PSU so we replaced the unit.

Now I find the system hangs when at the W7 splash screen (with the 4 coloured flag emblem and the words "starting Windows 7 Home Premium".

This was unexpected as it appears to be a software problem, and the system was not actually running when the PSU died, so windows should not have been affected.

My problem is now I cannot even get into the system using safe mode or booting from the W7 DVD.

- I initially could access the OS drive via safe mode, so I attempted to reinstall W7 using the DVD over the top of the existing W7 install, hoping this would fix the issue and avoid a more drastic complete format of the OS disk. But the install will not complete as it always also hangs at the now dreaded splash screen. And I can no longer access the drive using safe mode as I now get an error saying "the installation cannot be completed using safe mode, the instal will now reboot your system" which then ends up ganing at the splash screen.

- If I try booting from the W7 disk it jumps straight to the splash screen (after installing some unspecified files) and the system then just hangs.

I have tried using a bootable XP DVD to get to a level where I can just reformat the OS drive, but this failed as it could not detect a windows OS.

Basically I am at the stage now that I just want to reformat the OS drive, but how can I do that? Safe mode menu does not have an option to start with a DOS screen (like the good old days) and starting with command prompt option just goes to the dreaded splash screen and hangs.

So I guess my questionis, how can I bypass W7 and reformat my OS drive (drive C), or alternatively can I cancel the now hung incomplete reinstal so that I can use safe mode to access the OS drive again?

Thanks heaps in advance!

Cheers all

Hi there.

First see if you can boot directly from the install DVD -- get into the BIOS and change the boot order so it boots first from the DVD. If that fails Then :

Download a copy of Partition Wizard and create the bootable media. Then boot from CD/DVD and re-format your HDD. (The one you want to install the OS on).

Now you should be able to re-install windows again.

Note - you need to get into the Bios to change the boot order -- ensure the DVD device is ist in the boot order.

Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

(You'll have to do download the program and create the bootable media from another computer if the problem machine is your only one -- a colleague should be able to help with this though).

Cheers
jimbo

Golden · 15 Jun 2013

Ouch! Use PW as suggested and format that way.