Windows 7 won't boot past eVGA P55 splash screen after update

[schumacher574]

I have been using my Windows 7 x64 system for about 5 months without a problem. I booted it yesterday, and an autoupdate occurred as soon as Windows 7 started up. It looked like this autoupdate made changes to /COMPONENTS. As soon as it finished, the system rebooted, and got stuck on the eVGA P55 splash screen. It was stuck there for about 10 minutes, so I manually shut down the computer. Every time I turn it on now, I get stuck on the eVGA P55 splash screen. I can not get into safe mode or anything. Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this? Did some stupid Windows autoupdate crash my new computer? I am turning those off if that is what happened.

 

[Lomai]

Hi

Go into BIOS>Reset All to Default (or Optimal) Values>Save and Exit Bios and reboot.
Let us know if you can get past POST

Regards

 

[schumacher574]

Thanks for the quick response. When I enter BIOS (I would press [ESC] or [tab] during the splash screen, right?), and reset back to default, all of my harddrive's data would remain unchanged, correct? I have alot of recordings there that I would like to preserve if possible.

 

[Lomai]

We are not formatting any of your drives - all we are doing is resetting your BIOS values to defaults.
The Boot Device though may change if you have modified the Boot Order previously but we would to have the memory settings reverting to default values.

Keep us posted

 

[gregrocker]

Boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, accept any offered repair. If this fails, boot back into Recovery tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

If this fails, use the Repair disk's Command Line to make sure WIn7 is marked Active: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html Now run Startup Repair again x3.

System Restore is automated in Startup Repair but you can try running to separately if Startup Repair fails.

Next try restoring the Win7 partition using free Paragon Rescue CD, then copy data out to external HD, DVD, or second HD: Rescue Kit Free Edition | PARAGON Software Group - free partition software, hard disk partitioning

 

[schumacher574]

Okay, so I tried putting in my Windows 7 x64 disc, nothing happened, so I went with entering BIOS. I selected "Load Optimal Defaults", but every single selection or key change takes forever for BIOS to react to. After waiting about 10 minutes after selecting save and exit, it went right back to the same splash screen. Any advice? How can I get it to recognize the Windows 7 disc to attempt a repair?

 

[gregrocker]

You may need to reflash your BIOS if it is not responding to changes. But try to repair Win7 first as BIOS is safest flashed from Windows.

Try booting the DVD using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu given on first boot screen or in your Manual. I believe it's ESC key on Evga boards.

If this fails, double-check you are following the steps to correctly set DVD drive to boot first in BIOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/bootcddvd.htm

If this fails, test your memory using memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes or overnight, then your HD using maker's full diag/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Next it may be necessary to reflash your BIOS with the lastest BIOS version from USB flash stick or CD.

 

[stormy13]

First this isn't a Windows problem, but either a bios or hardware problem as it hasn't got to the point of even loading Windows. Guy over here,

[Solved] P55-UD4P hangs during POST - Gigabyte - Motherboards-Memory

has the same chipset on a Gigabyte board and you can see what he did to fix it. Try removing one stick of ram and see if it posts. if it doesn't swap them around. If it still doesn't start trying the other slots, one stick at a time.

 

[schumacher574]

okay thanks for the tips....i let it sit for the eVGA splash screen for like 20 minutes, and now it is a blank screen with a blinking cursor in the top left hand corner. I'll check out that other thread and post back with results.

 

[gregrocker]

There is no way to know that it isn't a Windows problem until he can boot into his WIn7 DVD to attempt Repair or System Restore to roll back the Update he says caused this.

In re-reading the thread, there is no attempt made yet to boot the Win7 DVD Repair console.

Are you following these steps: Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

 

[stormy13]

Coincidence most likely. I somehow doubt that anything from Windows Update could cause a boot/post problem and if it did, I would not be installing anything ever again from Windows Update.

 

[schumacher574]

i tried removing one pair of RAM, still had the same issue. I'm trying to go into BIOS to do a memory check / change my boot order, but it moves so goddamn slow its nearly impossible to get to the boot configuration option. I don't understand, because it was immediately after a windows update that this issue started to occur.

I'll try again to boot from the CD.

 

[Jacee]

Is this an upgrade to Win 7 from Vista? I see in your specs that it's a "custom" build. Do you think this update was a WGA validation component?

 

[Lomai]

Hi

You could attempt resetting the CMOS - have a look here

Regards

 

[gregrocker]

I'll try again to boot from the CD.

If you're using the Win7 installer it is a DVD so set the DVD drive first to boot.

Or boot it using one-time Boot Menu accessed by tapping ESC or whatever else is given for Boot Menu on the first boot screen.

 

[stormy13]

i tried removing one pair of RAM, still had the same issue.

Pull all but one stick of ram and try. If that doesn't work try another one at a time until it boots. If that doesn't work, start trying each ram slot one stick at a time.

Also, do you have a card reader with a memory card in it or a USB key plugged in? If yes to either remove the memory card or USB key.

If all that doesn't work disconnect all hard drives (might want to do this while trying each stick to save time) and leave only one stick of ram in. If one of the hard drives (specs say 3) up and died (and yes they can go without warning), a dead hard drive can stop the computer from booting.

I don't understand, because it was immediately after a windows update that this issue started to occur.

Pure coincidence. The fact that you can't get past the bios says it is hardware, as Windows isn't even starting to load until after the bios posts.

 

[schumacher574]

Okay...I unplugged all external HD's / USB keys (had a couple because of audio recording programs) and was able to boot from the windows disc...so then I took out the installation DVD and it booted fine now...

Thank you very much for the suggestion on removing USB devices. The problem, after investigating more, was my WD external drive. Which is confusing because it has literally been plugged in since I got this system. Anyways, thank you everyone for the help, I appreciate it very much. Even the stuff that I looked at that wasn't the cause of the problem, that could very well come in handy in the future.

Thanks!