Windows 7 - Windows 7 Startup Problems

I have been having computer problems lately it all started after playing StarCraft 2 beta the other day, I clicked Exit and my computer froze.

So I restarted and it got to the Windows7 loading screen and didn't get any further, so I restarted again and tried to 'Launch Startup Repair' and that failed as well. I eventually got into Startup Repair but I tried to fix problems with startup and that failed, I ended up restoring to about a week ago, restarted and Windows7 loaded fine but was extremely sluggish when doing the most simple tasks. I have tried switching out my RAM with some older RAM I had available and that didn't work, I am currently running an Ubuntu CD I own to type this message.

The only conclusion I have come to is that it might be my harddrive or Windows7 installation as I have removed all unnecessary hardware (soundcard, gfx card)...

Anyone have any suggestions?

If you're worried about your hardware you can run diagnostics on it to figure out if there are problems.

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

Download the CD as an ISO not a zip.
Burn it to disk using Windows or IMGBurn
Insert in Computer & Boot from it

You can now use the memory, hard drive and other diagnostic tools to figure out whether you have a hardware issue. Keep in mind that many of the tools take a considerable amount of time to complete.

I am currently running the Ubuntu CD. I'll try and run some diagnostic tests and see if there's any issues. If not I assume it would be a problem with the Windows 7 installation? Corrupted perhaps?

Hello Chriso Welcome to the Windows 7 Forums!

Are you seeing this on a new or recent build or simply an upgrade on existing hardwares as far as the OS from a previous version? For a system that's been in use for a years a good scan with the drive manufacturer's own diagnostics utility for any bad sectors would be a thought.

If you are ocing at all you may have to trim back a bit and use the auto settings for memory and voltages in the bios. Other then that however you most likely will find this being a software related issue. If you just recently installed as an upgrade over a previous version rather then a clean install the upgrade may have not gone as well as first thought.

The version I have installed is a clean install of Windows Ultimate x64. The version is a genuine copy, and this is the first issue I have had since I installed it 11 months ago...

One thing known for causing problems while gaming even when exiting a game session is having any antivirus or other protections active. It wouldn't be quite 11 months unless you are still running the 64bit RC since it's just now turning 10 months for those with TechNet or MSDN subcriptions.

Since the games is in beta form you likely just installed it lately haven't you? A bad or imcomplete installation of the game itself may well explain the problems it generated with your present install of 7. The first thought however would seeing if you are able to boot up is safe mode and look over the startup items in the msconfig if you have added any other programs on lately in addition to the StarCraft 2 beta.

You can also schedule the checkdisk utility to run a scan on the next startup with the chkdsk /r command to see if that will help along with running diagnostics on memory, hard drive, and other things.

Just curious... Genuine Ultimate x64 wasn't available 11 months ago, what did you install?

That was a guess, I hosted a House Party and received the Genuine version pretty early.

I have already GParted the Windows partition in Ubuntu, and when I try reinstallation of Windows 7 I still get stuck at the "Starting Windows" screen (prior to installation screens).

Considering I have removed all unnecessary hardware, and the computer runs fine in Ubuntu, I am stuck... I don't understand what else could be causing it?

I even tried resetting my BIOS and playing with power settings in BIOS several times to check if the RAM/CPU was getting enough power to boot properly...

In your spec, you list 2 monitors. Have you tried the install with just one connected ?

Yes, I also tried switching cables and using the onboard graphics card.