windows hangs at "Loading Operating System..."

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 17:28

My PC has evolved over time but is basically home built. The last upgrade was about 10 days ago when I added the SSD RAID array and reinstalled Windows. Since then al has been OK, the only issue is it has frozen at the BIOS splash screen a couple of times and required completely powering down to reboot.

The spec is:
• OS: Win 7 Ultimate 64bit
• CPU: AMD Phenom Quad core 955 Black Edition (was clocked at 3.5ghz now back to 3, default 3.2)
• MB: Gigabyte 890FXA
• Mem: 8gb (4x2gb) Corsair XMS3 1600Mhz
• GPU: 2x HIS HD5870 (Xfire)
• HDD1: 2x Corsair Pro 3 SSD 64gb in RAID 0
• HDD2: 2x Velociraptors 300GB in RAID 0
• PSU: Coolermaster Silent Gold Pro 800w

This morning my PC is repeatedly getting stuck at “Loading Operating System…” prompt and hangs.

I had managed to get into Windows Repair on the DVD and it said it could find the OS installed. I noticed it had found both RAID arrays but my primary disk (SSD RAID 0) was showing as disk E and my Raptors (data only) as drive D despite HD boot order in BIOS being set to 1)SSDs 2)Raptors

I have tried all sorts and currently I can get windows repair to tell me there are no startup issues, if I try and install windows it tells me a copy already exists, if I try and run a system restore to last nights state it fails

I am a bit stuffed - any suggestions greatly appreciated.

deanolfc · 7 Jun 2011 at 17:39

right click your computer click manage then go to event viewer , this is where errors go to when things like crashes happen and bsods , see what kinda errors you have

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 18:32

I can't get in to windows - it hangs at Loading Operating System straight after ts found the RAID arrays. I can't get safe mode either. All I can do is boot from the Windows Install media.

Destination · 7 Jun 2011 at 18:45

ahci enabled?

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:00

Nope

OnChip SATA Type: RAID
OnChip SATA Port 4/5: As SATA Type
OnChip SATA RAID5 Suport: Disabled
OnChip SATA3.0 Support: Enabled
OnBoard GSATA/IDE ctrl: Enabled
OnBoard GSATA/IDE Mode: IDE
ESATA Controller: Disabled

I'm at a loss - just checked memry using windows repair and all is well there. Start up repair says OK, checked sstem files and they reportedly are OK

Destination · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:06

you've an ssd don't you turn ahci on with on?

deanolfc · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:23

in the repair option on the windows disk , open up command promt , and type sfc /scannow will check system files are correct.

bootrec /fixmbr , this will fix the masterboot files

You can also write a new boot sector onto the system partition with this command (which is often more useful) bootrec /fixboot

did u install windows 7 on the ssd when the hd was connected.

remove the hd see if that helps.

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:24

I have 2 SSDs in a striped RAID - If I set it ot AHCI won't it treat them as 2 seperate drives?

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:26

What gets me is that it was al workig and then over night it rebooted itself and stopped at the "Loading Oper..." prompt and has not worked since. I wondered if windows update did something? However, the last system restore point was created when I installed Mappoint yesterday.

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:28

I have already checked the system files (sfc scannow) will try the other now

Nippletweaker · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:55

Massive props to Deanolfc!! Fixing the masterboot files or writing a new boot sector did it!!!

Thanks for your help! I have been pulling my hair out with this

deanolfc · 7 Jun 2011 at 19:57

no prob

, windows repair sometime's wont fix that so best to do it manual

and when its missing or corrupt you should have got a warning about it after turning computer on