Win 7 Stuck on Starting Windows Screen

[jon777]

So my wife's computer suddenly refuses to boot, and hangs on the Starting Windows screen. Have tried a number of things found in threads on various sites:

I CAN boot into Safe Mode w/ Networking. Ran MalwareBytes, Windows Defender and Spybot S&D. No issues found.

Ran System File Checker tool (SFC) - found no issues

Tried to Repair function -- no issues

Tried to restore back to a couple of system restore points from the last 2 weeks (she shuts down every day or two, so thought that at least would have worked). No help.

Tried to do a Clean Boot (only Microsoft Services enabled). Still hanging...

Tried Last known good configuration from the F8 startup menu... No luck...

What next??? Any help appreciated!

 

[indianacarnie]

Repair install maybe?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[gregrocker]

You'd need to be able to boot into Win7 to run a Repair Install. Please confirm you cannot do so because you refer to trying a Clean Boot but this would have to be done from the OS. So can you boot at all?

Confirm that 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) or C partition is Partition Marked Active then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times. Try all repairs from the installation media or System Repair Disk and not F8 System Recovery Options which can be corrupted. Try the rest of your Restore points from there.

If these all fail then everything possible that can be done is compiled here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start leading up to if necessary rescuiing any files to do a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. You should not fear this because you'll end up with a better install than 99% of owners out there as long as you stick closely to the steps given. If you do this then be sure to read the Special Note for Dell Owners at end of tutorial.

I would run the Dell Diagnostics now from F12 key menu at boot, to confirm hardware is sound. If it runs then leave only the Dell OEM partition during the booted reinstall, since Recovery will not run after reinstall anyway and deleting the OS partitions gives a cleaner install.

 

[jon777]

I CAN NOT boot into Win7 cleanly. It hangs at STARTING WINDOWS when booting.

I CAN boot in through Safe Mode. That is the only thing that seems to work.

This is an HP laptop -- it did not come with any disks (as it did not come with a disk drive). There is a D:\ (Recovery) drive. I believe it is Win7 Home Edition. We did buy an external DVD drive that I can plug in

I do have a desktop, where I have a Win7 Ulitmate disks (32 and 64 bit).

 

[TutoReviewer]

Try to re-install Windows. Maybe that should work.

 

[jon777]

Am trying to avoid reinstalling windows, so I don't have to reinstall everything, and worry about lost files..

 

[TutoReviewer]

You could try copying the important files onto another hard drive then reinstal windows. Then copy the files from the hard drive back to the pc. But you have to install the applications again so i recomend install the important ones. Sorry for my bad english...

 

[jon777]

Am hoping to find a way to fix without reinstalling windows. I figure that is the last resort.

 

[MilesAhead]

It usually saves time in the long run if you post the system specs for the computer with the issue.

One thing to try is boot into Safe Mode command line. It will show the device drivers as they load. If it hangs on one the file could be corrupted or missing altogether.

 

[jon777]

Am able to boot into Safe Mode w/ Networking as well as Safe Mode w/ Command Line.

It is an HPEnvy w/ Win 7 Home Premium. Let me know what specs you want and I can provide.

 

[gregrocker]

If you'd read Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 you'd see that the disks needed are provided in both for all repairs, rescuiing files and reinstall.

I also gave you specific steps to try in my post above which you have not responded to yet. You can first try tapping the same F8 key at boot for Safe Mode to see if you can boot into the System Recovery Options to do the initial repairs the way I specified.

This is an interactive process: We give you steps illustrated by the blue-link tutorials, you reply back with the results so we can give other steps if indicated.

Even if it gets fixed if you still have the factory preinstalled Win7 it is the worst possible install you can have, so why not take advantage of the fact that you are at the top site on the web for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7? We will help you get it perfect, so you'll have a better install than most anyone else instead of the worst one possible.

 

[jon777]

You'd need to be able to boot into Win7 to run a Repair Install. Please confirm you cannot do so because you refer to trying a Clean Boot but this would have to be done from the OS. So can you boot at all?

Can not boot into Win7 except through Safe Mode

Confirm that 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) or C partition is Partition Marked Active then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times. Try all repairs from the installation media or System Repair Disk and not F8 System Recovery Options which can be corrupted. Try the rest of your Restore points from there.

Have run Startup Repair 3 seperate times (using Win 7 Ultimate Disk from another computer)
Tried all restore points (note some failed during the restore, other succeeded, however none allowed to boot through past STARTING Windows

If these all fail then everything possible that can be done is compiled here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start leading up to if necessary rescuiing any files to do a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. You should not fear this because you'll end up with a better install than 99% of owners out there as long as you stick closely to the steps given. If you do this then be sure to read the Special Note for Dell Owners at end of tutorial.

I would run the Dell Diagnostics now from F12 key menu at boot, to confirm hardware is sound. If it runs then leave only the Dell OEM partition during the booted reinstall, since Recovery will not run after reinstall anyway and deleting the OS partitions gives a cleaner install.

On an HP not a dell. Am through Step 4 (no Viruses, no issues reported through SFC) in the troubleshooting. So now on Step 5, running the System Repair 3 times (using again the Windows Ultimate Disks).

Please let me know if I am following accordingly, or anything I missing...

 

[jon777]

First pass running Startup Repair (from Win7 Ultimate disk), generating the following:
Startup Repair cannont Repair this computer automatically
Details:
Problem Event Name StartupRepairOffline
Problem Signature 1: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 2: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 3: Unkown
Problem Signature 4: 73
Problem Signature 5: System Disk
Problem Signature 6: 1
Problem Signature 7: Bad Driver
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID 1033

2nd and 3rd running say Startup Repair Could not detect a problem.

 

[jon777]

Note: am trying again Startup Repair after making the 199MB System Partition "Active".
Startup Repair Pass #1: No problems found
Startup Repair Pass #2: No problems found
Startup Repair Pass #3 No problems found
(rebooted in between each)

 

[gregrocker]

If Startup Repair won't fix it then it's most likely because you have no Restore Points. Be sure to try the oldest point using System Recovery Options from disk and ignore if it says it failed to complete because often it has actually succeeded.

But if it won't start and this is the HP factory preinstall then that is the worst of all brands for corrupting bloatware and useless duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7. For this reason alone I would rescue my files and do a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 with our help. You will then have the best install one can have of Win7 vs. the worst install which hasn't even allowed you to experience native Win7 performance yet.

 

[jon777]

It does have restore points, however, they don't seem to help...

Per your suggestion, will move on to rescuing my files and doing the Clean Install you linked to above.

I've done a backup using the HP recovery Utility to an external drive, and as well gone in via safe mode, and moved out the Libraries, and was able to Launch Quickbooks and export her Company file as well. Any other things to prep? The MSFT backup doesn't seem to be available in safe mode.

Now off to get back my 4 GB stick drive, as I don't have any blank DVDs handy...

I'll follow the instructions and post back here with any questions. Anything else I should have ready/prep, let me know... APPRECIATE the help very much.

 

[gregrocker]

I would not reimport with Backup since it also copies hidden AppData files containing settings which are a corruption path back into a fresh install. This is not advisable. Start with fresh settings with only the User data folders repopulated.

Everything else is compiled in the tutorial, but feel free to ask back any specfic questions. Especially pay attention to how drivers are best handled - put your LAN driver in backup so if it's not provided by installer and ready to connect you can install it to get online, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to run all rounds of Important and Optional Updates until no more are offered after reboots.

 

[MilesAhead]

Before you wipe it I'd at least look at the command line safe mode boot screen. It shows all the drivers loading. If it cannot load a driver at least you'll have the name of it. it might just be one file you need. Not likely, but you could get lucky.

Edit: Trouble is it's probably something used in the full Gui mode that won't keep safe mode from loading. Look in the Windows folder. You may already have ntbtlog.txt inside.

 

[jon777]

Before you wipe it I'd at least look at the command line safe mode boot screen. It shows all the drivers loading. If it hangs, it might just be one file you need. Not likely, but you could get lucky.

Both Safe Mode w/ Networking and Safe Mode Command Line load just fine...

 

[jon777]

Question: On this step:

4. Make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, following the steps given in your PC's setup literature or in the Manual located on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer. As an alternative to Recovery Disks you can save a Windows 7 Backup Image or Macrium Image of the entire HD.

● If you have a Recovery or OEM tools partition, these may not run after clean reinstall so be sure to make your Recovery Disks.

● You can wait until afterwards to see if Recovery or (Diagnostics) Tools partitions will run from boot to decide if you want to delete those partitions and recover the space into C or elsewhere (using Step 3 here).​

I don't think I can make recovery disks, given that I can only boot into safe mode, can I? FWIW, there is a Recovery partition (D:\) as well as an HP Tool partition. Should I skip this step, or is there something I should do here?

Or should I use the HP Recovery to restore to factory settings, then make the recovery disks, then do the Clean Install?