Computer stuck at starting windows screen

Hey guys,

So I have a HP DV7 that I purchased back in 2011. Over the last few months, I have been getting stuck at the "Starting Windows" startup screen (The one that displays the windows logo).

At first I thought that this may have been a result of my hard drive failing, so I went ahead and replaced that. At first that seemed to have fixed the issue, but shortly after (about two days or so) the laptop began doing the same thing.

So that got me thinking that it was either another piece of hardware and/or software. So when it happened again, I did a reformat of the entire system. During the first install, the laptop got stuck at the startup screen in the middle of the installation. Eventually I was able to restart the reformat and left it over night at the windows starting screen after doing some googling and when I woke up in the morning I restarted the laptop (it was still stuck at the windows screen) and windows actually booted up.

Fast forward another two to three days and the same getting stuck occurred. Again, I was forced to do the reformat process.

That is where I stand today, so I am looking for any kind of suggestions/solutions to this issue.

I am currently looking into buying a new laptop but if I could get this issue fixed, I could definitely put off having to make an expensive purchase right now.

Computer Specs:

HP DV7
Processor: Intel Core i7-2630QM @ 2.00 GHz
RAM: 8.00 GB
Graphics Card: Radeon 6770M/On Board Intel chip (Switchable graphics)
Windows: Windows 7 64 Bit

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I played a good amount of CS (1.6 and CS:GO) over the past few years so perhaps it has something to do with the graphics over heating and malfunctioning when the computer shuts off? I'm not really sure, just a suggestion!

Two things I would try are to remove and clean the memory, and then test one stick at a time, in different slots. And then do a BIOS flash. Test with as many peripherals off as possible.

paul1149 said:

Two things I would try are to remove and clean the memory, and then test one stick at a time, in different slots. And then do a BIOS flash. Test with as many peripherals off as possible.

Would this turn up a different result than when I ran the RAM test in the BIOS menu?

Also I am unsure how to do a BIOS flash, I do not believe I saw that as an option in the diagnostics on the computer when I was playing around in there.

It could. RAM testing via software needs to be done extensively to catch everything.

Flashing the bios is a separate operation, and about as low-level as one gets. If you do it, do it carefully, as it can brick the MB. That said, there's usually no problem. If Windows won't load you will have to do it from a DOS USB stick or via a Windows PE disk. Not sure if it can be done from a Windows Repair disk.

paul1149 said:

It could. RAM testing via software needs to be done extensively to catch everything.

Flashing the bios is a separate operation, and about as low-level as one gets. If you do it, do it carefully, as it can brick the MB. That said, there's usually no problem. If Windows won't load you will have to do it from a DOS USB stick or via a Windows PE disk. Not sure if it can be done from a Windows Repair disk.

I'm currently inside Windows as I was able to get it to start up this time after a few attempts (it seems if I let it sit at starting windows, shut it down, unplug the power cord, plug it back in, and turn it back on, it will work...at least this time) so if you'd walk me through doing it I could do so.

Interesting. You should try a power drain. Shut it down, unplug all peripherals and pull the power cord off. Then hold the power button down for 20 seconds. Release for 10s, then hold down again for 5s. This will clear the capacitors.

As far as the other, I don't know what you've done of what I suggested.

paul1149 said:

Interesting. You should try a power drain. Shut it down, unplug all peripherals and pull the power cord off. Then hold the power button down for 20 seconds. Release for 10s, then hold down again for 5s. This will clear the capacitors.

As far as the other, I don't know what you've done of what I suggested.

Well I stopped using the battery a while ago, prob at least 6 months, as it was draining quickly since the laptop is so old. It is worth noting that I received messages that the battery needed to be replaced, so perhaps that has something to do with it?

IF not, would the power drain still work with just using the AC Adapter alone?

Also, I have not done any of those steps yet, as I am unsure on how to do them/do not want to turn this off yet for fear it will not start back up without a reformat.

Your specs say Desktop. With a laptop you must pull the battery as well.

The normal way is to try the smaller stuff before the bios flash. But if you're really afraid of losing the system then go to the manufacturer's site, download the windows-based bios update, and run it in windows. But it will reboot the machine immediately. Also, back up any data before you do any of this.