Stuck on Starting Windows screen

kk1984 · 21 Jul 2013

Many of the threads I have found on here regarding being stuck on the starting windows screen did not cover my issue. My computer was running very slow yesterday while I was playing a game, and my internet browsing was also slow. I started to shut it down for a quick restart and nothing really wanted to shut down, so I forced it down manually. Ever since then, the computer does not want to move past the starting windows screen.

It prompts me to either run the system repair or start normally. System repair takes me to a black screen, no cursor, and just sits there. Starting normally makes me stay stuck on the starting windows screen. No amount of time makes it move forward. I cannot get into my system to run an OS repair from the disk, I can't access Safe Mode, I can't log in to get administrator rights, I can't do ANYTHING. No amount of time letting it sit unused will make it "cool down" - I thought maybe my fans running a little hot and loud was a problem.

Can someone help?

Wanted to add as well - being as how I'm not very computer savvy when it comes to these things, I can't give you a good idea of what I'm running in the system. I built it through iBuyPower a few years back, and since I can't access anything on my system, I can't do any sort of diagnostic or system analysis to post that kind of information.

MouseGolf · 21 Jul 2013

This is a very basic answer but a cure for your problems. If you have backed up your important files e.g. music, videos etc. then use your operating system disk to reinstall the entire system. You had your computer built for you, they would have sent a recovery disk or disks to reinstall the system with the computer (in most cases this is done with custom builds).

Find the first disk in the set (there maybe only one disk) pop it into the disk drive, force the computer to power down (hold the power button in for 5 seconds). Then power on the computer. When the boot screen appears press the key that allows you to choose which device to boot from and choose the disk drive. The boot screen will show the keys to press for just a few seconds. Like F12 for boot device. Not all BIOS versions use the same keys. Just look and note the keys that are referred to your boot screen. It may sneak by you the first time but once you have noted the correct key to press, you'll be all set for the next boot-up.

If you do not have that option then you need to enter BIOS by pressing whatever key will allow you to enter Setup or BIOS. Once you're in the BIOS chip (screen) you can change the boot order so the disk drive (optical drive) is in the first position. When you power on the computer the machine will look at your disk drive first and see the recovery disk. Once the disk information loads you'll be prompted with a few questions. My advise is always perform a new installation.

Hope that helps.

kk1984 · 21 Jul 2013

Tweaker~ thanks for the response. I got into the BIOS setup and changed the "first boot device" to cdrom, saved, and it restarted my computer and took me to the Windows Error Recovery page where I can choose to launch the repair or start Windows normally. Either option leads me to a dead end. I don't even hear the Cd drive working. Repair gives me a black screen for 5 minutes followed by a distorted blue Windows screen and a large cursor - sort of how safe mode enlargens icons - and starting normally I get stuck on the Starting Windows screen and the Microsoft Icon stops pulsating. I have no clue what to do now.

DocBrown · 21 Jul 2013

Welcome kk1984,

What is the win7 version on the computer you are trying to repair ? Do you have any install or recovery CD/DVD ?

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

MouseGolf · 21 Jul 2013

Do you have a Windows Boot or Recovery Disk?

kk1984 · 21 Jul 2013

I am using Win7 x64 premium home. I have a Win 7 disk for 64 bit but I don't know that it's the one I got with my computer. My roommate has a Win7 x64 disk floating around too so what I have might be his copy. Don't know if that matters or not.

Britton30 · 21 Jul 2013

You might try a System Restore, option two in this Tut by Brink. IF the install disks you have are w7 Home Premium they should work.

System Restore

DocBrown · 21 Jul 2013

Well, if you are adventurous, you could make a universal AIO (all-in-one) DVD or USB Flash drive Install media. You should be able to use yours or your roommates to do this on another win7 x64 computer. Then boot to it and do a system restore or repair install.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create