Half the time I get stuck on Windows logo screen on restarts

keredd said:

Finally I'm on the desktop and there is a message box that reads "Can't open AsIO.sys !! (2)" . Also there is a box that reads "personalized settings" in the upper right corner of the box and "Windows Desktop Update" in the middle of the box and the spinner has been going for like 5 minutes. Windows explorer seems to be kaput because I can't get to the start menu. The task bar is completely missing as well. The desktop background is mine though.

The driver error is for Asus bloatware that can be problematic. "Can't open AsIO.sys !! (2)" - Safer-Networking Forums

I suspect that Asus bloatware is also interfering with finalizing settings and setting up the Desktop.

Shut down the Asus services, none of which are needed and all of which interfere with Win7 native performance.

Type msconfig in Start Search box, uncheck everything except your AV in Startup and Services boxes after ticking "Hide all MS Services." Reboot.

Now uninstall all Asus crapware in Control Panel>Programs and Features, reboot, delete any remaining Asus folders in C: Program Files.

As aggravating as it is, you really should now run SFC /SCANNOW Command
since even uninstalling the crapware can damage System files, and Repair Install has not been absolutely able to tame it all.

jshinevar said:

Just go to the hardware manufacturers website and download a set of drivers before formatting. If you are really adventurous slipstream the drivers in and burn a custom iso.

The drivers should be all passed through in a Repair Install. Check Device Manager after all Important and Optional Updates are finished - there will be multiple rounds.

Likely a case of bad OEM software not being able to be processed fully by a Repair Install because it is inimical to the OS. Asus has a reputation for bad software but good hardware.

I believe my suspicions are correct. Windows Explorer is hosed. Every time I try to open something it spins forever and then it says its not responding and then it says windows explorer stopped working. However the task bar and start menu is back. Everything appears like normal on the surface except when I actually try to open something. When it does actually open something it takes forever. Man this is frustrating.

What are the hurdles to moving to do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7?

Do you have your files all backed up and program installers available? Check over the other steps to see how close you are to being able to get started.

I gave up and installed my back up image. Well the main reason I didn't want to do the clean install is because of how time consuming it is. I didn't realize that this is just as, if not more time consuming. Also the headache of re-installing all those programs all over again and accumulating all the drivers and such. I may go ahead and do it this weekend depending on what comes up. But my last back up image is back up and everything is running smooth which is also a reason that I do not want to do the clean install. As of now my only issue is that I have to reboot twice when I have to reboot. So why go through the install to fix that silly problem? It may be best to simply wait until the OS is unusable. Thank you for all your help and patience. I will definitely use your walk through when I am ready to take the plunge.

It's possible the boot problems can't be repaired without wiping the HD first before a reinstall.

However if you've already run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times which should automate all boot repair commands, then boot back into the DVD or System Repair CD, open a Command Line to manually run the boot repair commands shown here:

click to enlarge