Computer only boots to "Advanced Boot Options" then freezes

Anybody still there?

Today my computer miraculously started up and went straight to log-in screen, and I was able to enter my password and then arrive at the desktop screen! However I noticed the F12 "wireless" key had a white LED showing rather than the usual red one, so I pressed it, hoping it would change back to red, but then things got weird again (I think pressing that button had caused the original problem). A small box appeared on the screen with options of enlarging the image, and then the whole screen went to super enlarged scale, as it had done prior to the original problem developing. I navigated over the mega screen landscape to the "start menu" and clicked on "restart". Upon rebooting to the log-on screen, I found that, as previously, I could not enter my password (no response to keyboard). I then restarted the computer and it has now returned to only opening to the "Windows Boot Manager" or "Advanced Boot Options" screen, with the keyboard disabled.

I have tried a number of "Boot" CD's, but they will not boot, as I suppose the computer is not configured to boot from a CD, but might not boot from a disc anyway as it appears to be "out of order".

Perhaps I can take out the HDD and put it in a remote drive hooked to another computer, so I can use a diagnostic and repair program on it? Alternatively, if I can access the HDD via another computer, I could do a fresh re-installation of Windows 7 OS, & add new drivers. Or perhaps the problem is with the BIOS chip? I can get a new one for about $30.

Any ideas?

You can slave the drive to test it but to install in another PC requires when you move it back to Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

I already gave you boot disks which will self-boot for HD Diagnostics and then wiping the HD, which will make the installation media self-boot.

The installation media is provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 along with everything else needed to get and keep a perfect install. Be sure to read the steps in red for how drivers are handled in WIn7 if you think that a bunch of drivers must be injected as that ended in XP.

Another thing to try is tapping the F11 key to run HP System Recovery
which may offer a Minimal Recovery option which is close to a Clean Reinstall.

gregrocker:

When you mention slaving the hard drive to another computer, do you mean physically installing the hard drive into another computer (then having two hard drives in the one computer), or does what you are talking relate what I was thinking about, which was to put the hard drive into a remote hard drive appliance, connected to my good computer via USB?

Before I take out the hard drive, I would try the methods you recommend, although I am sceptical that my computer will boot from a CD. The tool you have recommended is only available as a download, and at 229MB, I don't think my minimal internet connection is up to the task. So, until I find a computer hooked to a fast internet connection, I have ordered a disc on eBay which claims to be able to boot up a computer, so I will try that first ( but I've so far tried about six different boot disks).

I'll keep you posted on developments!

You'll be able to test hard drive easier if it's plugged in internally to the other HD via SATA port.

If you can't boot any disk try resetting the BIOS to defaults. Then tap the key given for Boot Menu on first screen. Most failures to boot disk are a user failure having to do with the timing of pressing the key. If tapping it doesn't work try holding it.

You can also try accessing System Recovery Options via F8 key but again it takes patience and trying different ways like tapping, holding the key, setting the disk drive first to boot in BIOS. Do you ever see the prompt to "Press any key to boot disk?"

My computer now appears to be fixed! I let it sit, switched off, for about 12 to 14 hours. I then developed a prayerful mind/attitude, and pressed the ON button, whilst laying my hands along the sides of the notebook, visualising "healing energy" flowing from my hands into the computer. Lo and behold, it booted up into the sign-in page! I didn't want to rush things, so I waited a few minutes whilst the computer did whatever it felt in needed to do in the background, and then typed in my password and pressed "enter". Voila! The computer advanced to the desktop! Again I did not hurry things, as I think that was the cause of my original problem. After about 5 minutes wait, I started to navigate around and found everything worked as normal!

One queer thing I noticed, is that the time and the date, displayed at the bottom right hand of the screen, now stated that it was January of 2010! While the computer was frozen for a week, had it actually been traveling back in time? I connected the computer to the internet, and updated my anti-viral program, and did a full scan, but no "bugs" were found. Maybe Windows had set itself back to a time when it was stable? Upon restarting the computer, during shutdown, the CHKDSK (Check Disk) program started on its own, and examined my hard drive and made some kind of report (nothing seemed to indicate a problem), then the computer continued with the restart. So, Windows must have known there was some problem, and somehow, in its own time and in its own way, it sorted itself out! Or, it was the healing "vibes" I put into the computer. Or maybe a combination of both, or neither.

Fingers crossed.......

Thanks for the help you guys have given me.

Krisby.

Clock and data slippage can indicate a bad CMOS battery that stores these when the PC is without power. Keep an eye on that.

I'd also continue to work through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 to uncover any problems and also to learn more about how to go about this.

Yes, gregrocker, I had thought about the CMOS RTC BIOS battery, so I've ordered a new one just to be sure. I will endeavour to look more into Windows 7, and make a Recovery Disk which the computer recommends be made initially. I don't really have any data on the computer worth saving in some remote location. I don't actually use the computer, due to the limitations of my 12 volt home power supply, but rather use a smaller ASUS notebook which uses a lot less power. So, the HP dv7 sits around for a week or two, before I put a charge on it and update its anti-viral program. Maybe that has led to excessive use of the CMOS RTC battery? Maybe when he computer is powered up or charging, the CMOS battery is not being used?