Need some help - Cannot boot

BlackDragon · 7 Feb 2008 at 17:36

I've had this computer for a while now. I replaced the motherboard and hard drive a few months ago and has been working fine for a long time. Although a few weeks ago it did stop on the windows loading screen (bar stopped after a while) and didn't boot. I thought nothing of it and just rebooted and it worked fine.

Today when I switch it on, I get the same problem. I restarted hoping it would fix it...but no. It hung on the windows loading screen again. It spends a few seconds trying to load, then the keyboard LEDs turn off (as normal) but then hangs. Normally the LEDs turn off, then back on again and away into windows we go. I've tried unplugging the keyboard before anyone might suggest it. Although I can boot into safe mode with networking ok.

So I'm assuming there is something trying to start up or be loaded during the loading screen that can't be loaded, thus causing it to freeze.

So any suggestions guys?

Thanks in advance!

JR1 · 7 Feb 2008 at 17:45

Have you installed any new software recently?

If so, I suggest you do a restore of systems settings (system tools > restore) to an earlier restore point. You can do this in Safe Mode and then try booting normally.

BlackDragon · 7 Feb 2008 at 18:00

Nope, the last time it happened was weeks ago. Just left my computer off for a bit and then came back to boot it up and it was able to boot up ok.

Any more ideas? I guess I could just never turn it off again

Salsa · 7 Feb 2008 at 18:15

Virus check and scandisk show up anything?

JR1 · 7 Feb 2008 at 18:55

It's a puzzle.

It is I feel more likely to be a software issue. Agree that you should seek to exclude a virus problem.

If you can always boot in safe mode it dosent feel as if there is a problem related to bad sectors on a system file. However, I agree that you should exclude this possibility. I would be inclined to run a CHKDSK.

russ0r · 7 Feb 2008 at 19:07

Sounds like a driver problem to me. Probably USB if its hanging when the keyboard lights switch off.
Update motherboard drivers? Unplug all USB devices? You haven't got a flash drive plugged in have you? They can sometimes cause issues with starting up.