Laptop Won't Boot, can't get past Initial Windows Screen

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for DOS (CD) - remember that this is a CD scan from boot?

Burn the ISO to CD using Windows Image Burner. Boot, run Extended Scan.

Run SFC -SCANNOW Command
from an Elevated Command Prompt.

gregrocker said:

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for DOS (CD) - remember that this is a CD scan from boot?

Burn the ISO to CD using Windows Image Burner. Boot, run Extended Scan.

Run SFC -SCANNOW Command
from an Elevated Command Prompt.

I noticed that one, but when I look at the info, it gives a list of supported OS. Windows 7 isn't listed. Is it still okay to use in that case?

During the downtime, I've downloaded Security Essentials and CCleaner. I've already used CCleaner to clean up some files left behind by uninstalled programs.

Reboots are still really slow for my computer. Takes about 20-30 minutes total each time. After updating Security essentials, I'm going to try out what you suggested about startup programs.

I will also download the diagnosis in the meantime.

Things have gotten worse.

My desktop is completely frozen and without a mouse cursor. Last time this happened was just before I made this thread. I'm going to power down and try the Data Lifeguard.

Edit:

The CD doesn't seem to be doing anything. Just says, "Starting caldera DR-DOS" and then I get a black screen. I'll wait for a bit, but my HD light turns off after that text goes away.

Try the other DOS ISO.

YOu can also try booting into Win7 DVD Repair console to see if it offers more repairs, or finds more needed with Startup Repair. SFC, HD scan, Check DIsk are going to need to be run again.

What was the result of Malwarebytes scan?

If you want to break off at any time and try the clean reinstall, go for it.

gregrocker said:

Try the other DOS ISO.

YOu can also try booting into Win7 DVD Repair console to see if it offers more repairs, or finds more needed with Startup Repair. SFC, HD scan, Check DIsk are going to need to be run again.

What was the result of Malwarebytes scan?

If you want to break off at any time and try the clean reinstall, go for it.

The other one is apparently for a floppy disk.

Before checking back here I ended up running the non-CD lifeguard. Will it make a difference? Let me know if I should shut it down. Just to be clear, it's running on my desktop now.

After this test completes (Or if you tell me to stop it), I'll get to doing the SFC. I should mention that before making my thread, I tried everything to get SFC to work, but in some way or another it just refused to ever scan. This was from Recovery environment and before I had the install disk, so it may work for me now.

I haven't been able to download Malwarebytes yet. I may have to download it on my other computer since on my Acer refused to download it, probably because it's been struggling to download anything at all.

I still need to update Security Essentials and get rid of AVG as well. I now realize how hard it is to prioritize when your computer is barely working.

We've come this far. I want to try everything to save my computer as it currently is. If all of your advice doesn't work, I'll do the reinstall.

What do you do with your computers that mess them up like this?

I would consider getting a perfect reinstall and then following the regimen included for keeping it secure, clean and maintained.

Running the Windows HD scan is better than nothing, but likely can't repair bad sectors since the HD can't be dismounted while running an OS.

Malwarebytes is a tiny download and install which takes 30 seconds normally. Update and run a full scan.

gregrocker said:

What do you do with your computers that mess them up like this?

I would consider getting a perfect reinstall and then following the regimen included for keeping it secure, clean and maintained.

Running the Windows HD scan is better than nothing, but likely can't repair bad sectors since the HD can't be dismounted while running an OS.

Malwarebytes is a tiny download and install which takes 30 seconds normally. Update and run a full scan.

Honestly? I have no idea what made this so bad. I bet it partly has to do with me using Internet Explorer 8, while I usually used to use Chrome. However, after getting that corrupt file error relating to chrome, I decided to uninstall it.

I'll attempt to download after HD scan. I guess I just have to hope for a miracle if it normally doesn't repair bad sectors. Otherwise I'll have to reinstall.

Reinstalling is not a last resort but a fresh start which is better than getting a new computer, when you consider how today's new computers are larded with bloatware that throttles the first lightweight, instantaneous OS.

It's an opportunity to get it perfect and then maintain it smart so that you never have to reinstall again - just reimage if it ever becomes necessary.

It removes the OS as a possible cause of mystifying problems so that if they persist you can then zero in on hardware.

Just as trying to clean up a serious infection is wasted time, so it trying to save such a crippled OS. If you don't get some traction on the repairs soon, Clean Reinstall is not only the best solution but the only realistic one.

gregrocker said:

Reinstalling is not a last resort but a fresh start which is better than getting a new computer, when you consider how today's new computers are larded with bloatware that throttles the first lightweight, instantaneous OS.

It's an opportunity to get it perfect and then maintain it smart so that you never have to reinstall again - just reimage if it ever becomes necessary.

It removes the OS as a possible cause of mystifying problems so that if they persist you can then zero in on hardware.

Just as trying to clean up a serious infection is wasted time, so it trying to save such a crippled OS. If you don't get some traction on the repairs soon, Clean Reinstall is not only the best solution but the only realistic one.

Yes, if anything this dreadful experience has at least showed me that bloatware is not helping anything. Either way, I'm going to avoid several things from now on, AVG in particular. I suppose this also means I'll have to watch out for my computer more often.

And agreed. If this HD scan and Malwarebytes turn up nothing, I'll just have to accept the loss of my installed programs and reinstall.

The worst case scenario here is that my hard drive is causing all of this. I really don't want to deal with that.

Anyway, I can't thank you enough for your help Greg. As soon as something comes up, I'll update, and if it happens to be something decisive, we can finally put this thread to rest and mark it as solved. :)

(Note that this will at least be several hours later)

OK, we'll be here.