PC will not Start Up

Okay, I am not a whiz at "fixing" things like this. I do have a HP "D" or "Recovery" drive (I assume that's what you mean by partition). I do not think I have to do a clean install...I just don't know a lot about the info you folks are throwing at me.

As for cleaning my PC. I used canned air and blow out the back part of it from time to time. I do not "open up" the case however.

What I am asking is why doesn't Scannow work the first time? Why does it take three times? I have no problem giving it a shot......just doesn't make sense to me that's all.

Please bear with me I am not a PC guru.

Barnum said:

.....just doesn't make sense to me that's all.

Please bear with me I am not a PC guru.

you are not alone. I have often resolved problems with a simple re-start!

Barnum said:

What I am asking is why doesn't Scannow work the first time? Why does it take three times? I have no problem giving it a shot......just doesn't make sense to me that's all.

Sometimes not all errors can be found and fixed in a single run, so more errors may get found/fixed in a subsequent SFC run, after other errors have been fixed by the previous run...
When SFC finds and fixes problem #1, then next time SFC can find problem #2 that was not possible to be found with problem #1 unfixed...

Windows Update works the same way...
If you haven't installed all prior updates, newer updates may not get offered to you.

Anyway, see Step 1 in this tutorial to get a valid Win 7 ISO, and Step 2 if you want to use a USB flash stick.
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

If you want a Win 7 DVD disc, you may need to use another PC so you can burn it, as it sounds like you can't boot this PC into Windows...
With what you said in post #1 I wasn't sure if you could boot Windows...

Last night I shut it down, gave it ten minutes and it started up fine. I thought okay it was just a one time glitch, but this morning the same routine all over again. Repair attempt, system restore (at least an hour total), and I am using it again.

... and because I am not a guru I have learned to not question the excellent advice provided on this site. Although welcome and helpful, most explanations when given were over my head, so best just to do what is suggested, move forward and provide feedback with clarity.

I agree with what Alan (linnemeyerhere) says about hardware/cleaning troubleshooting.
To that, I'll add Malware could be the issue, and often is from what I've seen "lurking" in SF...
Here is a tutorial by gregrocker you should look at for your issue
Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

I have similar problems. Mine kept saying shutting down for a long time, till I hit the power button. On restart, showed 'loading' but never loaded. After working on it and trying things, it finally loaded windows, but took about 15 minutes to start any programs. Tried Chrome browser, and it would freeze.
Right now it's going what seems to be about 1/25 as fast as normal, and some things will still cause it to freeze.
This thread is a lot like my problem, so I am trying what has been suggested. And as mentioned, I can use one in general work and online, and can do general replacement of parts, but software is over my head.
So I am following this thread, and thanks to those who have offered solutions and help.

Okay I ran Scannow three times, rebooted after each and I still got the message "unable to repair some of them". So I guess I am back to square one. Hate to leave the PC running all the time but it may be my only option, short of buying a new PC and this one is not that old.

Can someone explain why it started up after being shut down for ten minutes, but would not start up after being shut down over night (8 hours)? Why would the time have anything to do with it?

Barnum said:

... Hate to leave the PC running all the time but it may be my only option, short of buying a new PC and this one is not that old.

Why would you choose to buy a new pc over a fresh s/w install? Your solution would only work for me if I were filthy rich!

Barnum said:

Can someone explain why it started up after being shut down for ten minutes, but would not start up after being shut down over night (8 hours)? Why would the time have anything to do with it?

Temperature?