Boot difficulty

Niddles · Nov 21, 2010

Hi,

I've seen many similar posts to the problem I have, but haven't found any exactly like mine, and the solutions given haven't worked on my laptop.

The problem:
Basically, when I turn the power on, it starts as normal until the 'Microsoft Corporation' loading screen. This takes a bit longer than it did before (not sure if relevant) then where it would usually go black then show the windows logo, and let me log in, it goes black and eventually (sometimes about 10secs, sometimes 20mins) restarts itself. People have said it sounds like the 'black screen of death' but when mine goes black, there's no white cursor.

What I've already tried:
Startup repair - said it could not automtically solve any problem. Last known good config - acts the same as starting normally. System restore - it says I have no restore points. Command prompt>bootrec.exe - tried everything in that. Safe mode - works fine, even with networking or with command prompt. I've also tried something in command prompt that I didn't really understand (something about exporting and rebuilding bcd).

Computer specs (not sure if needed):
Acer Aspire 5920G
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M TurboCache
2 GB DDR2
and that's probably all that would be of use

I think that's everything. Sorry to make a bit of a long post, but I thought it might be better having a bit of detail. The laptop is only 2 1/2 years old so I'm hoping I won't need to replace it.

Thanks in advance,
Niddles

Niddles · Nov 21, 2010

Forgot to add:
I've also tried run>msconfig disable all in the startup tab and all (other than microsoft) in the services tab

richc46 · Nov 21, 2010

Welcome sounds like it might be an essential driver not is not loading properly
In safe mode, see if you can get a cmd prompt and perforform an SFC command
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html
If it shows errors, run up to 3 times

Does not work try a clean boot
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
This will help diagnose and possibly repair

Does not work
Go to search and type event viewer and look for critical errors that may help explain the problem and eventually help us solve the problem

Does not work
Try going to device manager and looking for warning posters of a bad driver. Try to replace.

Boot Procedure
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.

Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

Niddles · Nov 22, 2010

Thanks for the reply

I tried the SFC command and it didn't show any errors. I also tried the clean boot, but it didn't work. There weren't any critical errors in the event viewer as far as I can tell (I'm not very familiar with the event viewer). Device manager however did show one device (System Devices>Consumer IR Devices) with a yellow triangle with a black ! in it. In properties, it says under device status:

"This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)

Click 'Check for solutions' to send data about this device to Microsoft and to see if there is a solution available."

Check for solutions started searching, then finished without saying no solution could be found or that it had found a solution. I went to driver>update driver and it said driver software for your device is up to date. In driver file details, it says "Driver files: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\circlass.sys"

Any chance this is the problem? If so, how do I replace it?

Thanks

richc46 · Nov 22, 2010

Beg, borrow or (that is all that I am allowed to say)
An install DVD and make a repair
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

Niddles · Nov 22, 2010

ok, I'll try to get my hands on an install dvd and let you know how it goes

Niddles · Nov 24, 2010

ok, i've got an install dvd now but it says i can't do an upgrade install in safe mode, and i can't do it from booting from dvd either. anything i can do?

richc46 · Nov 24, 2010

Go to safe mode and change the boot order
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

Niddles · Nov 24, 2010

i mean, i can run it from the dvd, it just won't let me upgrade install unless i'm already in windows (like, logged on i suppose)

also, i think the dvd version is earlier than my current version. can i upgrade to windows 7 without losing files, programs etc?

richc46 · Nov 24, 2010

First you buy the cheaper upgrade 7.
You can upgrade, and not lose your stuff (this is the worst way)
Custom install, stuff is sent to windows.old filter, but programs will have to be reinstalled (better way)
Clean install, includes format, lose stuff , but the best way.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips

Niddles · Nov 24, 2010

ok, thanks. what are the downsides to choosing upgrade or custom instead of clean?

richc46 · Nov 24, 2010

Good question
Its like your car.
Which do you want?
Your old car waxed, shined, detailed
tuned up
new tires etc.
or
a new one?

Its the same with windows. Upgrade, is just that new face, but alll the old problems are there, virus etc.
In additiion, I have worked in the Seven Forums since Windows Seven was introduced and there were many, many problems caused by an upgrade and none due to clean install.
Go clean and be mean

Take care.

Niddles · Nov 25, 2010

ok, thanks a lot.

richc46 · Nov 25, 2010

YOur welcome
It does not come up much in this Forum, but in Seven, it is a common question.
All agree that clean is the best way to go. My previous answer may have been a bit dramatic, but the basic answer is correct. Trust me on this one, go with a clean install
After you make the clean install, post. I will give you some hints on the best way to back up your new OS
I assume that you will go with Seven
Here is the link to the second best Forum
Vista is the best forum LOL
http://www.sevenforums.com/
Take care.

Niddles · Nov 27, 2010

ok
i've clean installed windows 7. it worked fine for the first day or two (i'm now thinking i really should've made a system restore point) but now it's doing the same as it was on vista. one thing i noticed though, while it was working, none of my games worked because i "either didn't have directx 8.1 or later or my hardware wasn't sufficient" i did have a recent version of directx installed since getting win7 and i haven't changed my hardware, so that confused me a bit, and also the in-built mic on my laptop didn't work on skype (i made sure that the settings on skype were correct). i'm not sure if those could have something to do with the problem. i'm now thinking that there must be either something wrong with the hardware or i have a virus or something, but it just doesn't make sense to me that it worked normally again for a while on win7.

also, i found this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92394-sf-diagnostic-tool-using-troubleshooting.html?ltr=S would it be any help if i did that and uploaded it here?

richc46 · Nov 29, 2010

If you installed a new OS and the same prooblem seems to be present, it seems to be hardware.
If you made a clean install with format, it is not a virus
If it works in safe mode it is probably a driver.
I am assuming that you tried clean boot (as given above and it did not work)

If it does not work in clean boot and does not work with safe mode, it looks like hardware, since you had the problem with Vista
Essential cards may be the problem, graphics, audio, etc.
Possibly memory

Download and test RAM with Memtest 86. Test each RAM stick separately, for 6 passes. Then with a known good stick test each RAM slot.
Memtest86

Boot difficulty

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer