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So, unfortunately, I've got another computer problem that's been driving me up the wall since I got back from vacation. This time, it's with my new PC, which I've had for less than four months. I've tried contacting the manufacturer/supplier over the last week (several times with repeated voice mails, emails to customer support, etc, but they will not reply). I called Microsoft for support, assuming it was an issue with my OP system, and they said they would be willing to help me, for a $79.00 over-the-phone fee; otherwise, they suggested that I contact the manufacturer (duh).

I don't have a lot of knowledge on the subject when it comes to fixing hardware/software conflicts, etc, which is why I'm asking for help here. I'd be willing to bet just about anyone on this forum knows more about repairing software/Windows issues than I do.


The Problem:

Just before I left for vacation a few weeks ago, everything was working fine. When a windows update would install and restart the computer, it would reboot in less than 30 seconds, and I would be back online. The night before I left for vacation, the reboot took about 20 minutes before Windows started. The windows loading screen would appear for about ten seconds, and then the screen went black for about fifteen minutes, before Windows would finally start. I ran several virus scans/checks, and Windows/AVG said everything was working properly and no viruses were found.

I got back home from vacation last week, and turned on the computer, and again, it took around 20-30 minutes to come online; black screen and all. Recently, it got so bad, that the ONLY way the computer would boot itself back up is if I unplugged it from the wall, and then restarted it that way.

Last night, the computer installed updates before shutting down, and restarted itself to configure those updates. When it got to "Configuring Updates, 3/3 0% complete, the computer would restart itself, cycle back to 3/3 0%, restart, cycle, and it never ended; and I could NOT get back on to Windows.

What I've Tried (as suggested from various help/support forums:

-Restore point. Tried running Windows from a date before the issue came up. Didn't work.

-I started the computer from the OS disc. The black screen still showed after the Windows logo, and after about 20 minutes of blackness, Windows started.

-I unplugged all USB devices. As suggested, one of them could be causing a conflict, and keeping the computer from booting properly. Didn't change a thing. It still took 20 or 30 minutes to start up, and I had to unplug it to get it that far.

-I reinstalled Windows from the OS disc. Still, the black screen.

-I reformatted my computer (blew EVERYTHING off and started over). I reinstalled the motherboard drivers, Nvidea drivers, etc. Afterwards, I went straight to AVG to install a virus/firewall program. AVG needed to restart the computer to install properly. And the same problem occured. The computer would NOT start up by itself. I had to unplug it from the wall, wait a few minutes, and then turn it back on. Then, after a black screen, Windows started.

-Brought up the task manager during to start up to enter a string as a new task. (I found this suggestion on a support forum which allegedly would fix the black screen issue). My computer didn't recognize the command.


And that brings us up to the present. Now, I'm weary about restarting my computer for anything, thinking I won't be able to get back onto Windows if I do. I've searched Google, and the black screen is a common problem with Vista (as a result from a recent update, which apparently, Microsoft does not care to address at this time). Having to unplug my computer just to get Windows to boot up with the black screen? Not so common. Aside from a faulty motherboard, a dusty motherboard, or a bad power supply, I can't find a simple fix for the problem. And since I don't have any experience taking apart computers, or identifying faulty pieces, I need to save those possible causes as a last resort.

I was wondering if anyone familiar with this problem could point me in the right direction? On a side note, a few days ago when Windows started up, the fan was making a loud grinding noise for about ten minutes. It eventually stopped, and the computer ran as if it wasn't an issue. I read from reviews on the supplier's site the computer was a little loud, so I didn't think anything of it.

And just to clarify; Windows, once I'm online works fine. I can run and use all of my installed programs, get on the internet, etc. The only issue, is rebooting/restarting my computer which once took about 20 seconds, now takes a half an hour, and can only be done by uplugging it from the wall beforehand.

Kravenwolf

You should try taking your hard drive out, cleaning the recievers and then put your hard drive back in.

Are you certain this is caused from software of some form? When you reformatted... did you try rebooting before reinstalling anything (namely updates)? That's one of the things I would double-check if you're still wanting to fix the problem.

If it turns out to be something software-wise... perhaps do a selective update for windows... try to narrow down which update it is that caused your issue. Or find out what drivers/software it was that you installed that caused the issue.

If it turns out to be a hardware issue... well your options are limited if you don't have spare parts laying around that you can use to find out what part is the problem. The usual "replace this part with a known working part and try again" would be the way to narrow that down.


Aside from that, I don't have much to say on the subject.


The one and only,

Blame AVG. Try uninstalling that, it can cause real problems when it goes screwy, I've had lots of issues with it. You could also try disconnecting the network and boot up - if it boots up quickly then it's a network issue, possibly still AVG playing up.

I prefer Kaspersky for cheap virus protection - but the main thing is that often its your PC trying to get to a network address - if it's blocked totally, then it can take a while for your PC to realise and give up.

So, disconnect that network cable and try booting - if it boots up quickly then I would uninstall AVG and find something else. If it's not too much of a stretch, maybe it's worth backing up and restoring the PC to factory settings, start from scratch.

As far as I can remember an application can prevent the computer shutting down (since the system asks each running application whether it should be allowed to shut down), so terminate any 3rd party processes and try again. Although, what I remember may only be relevant to power saving and not manually shutting down. Actually I've just read that you've reformatted, but I'll leave this paragraph here for anyone else that might have a similar problem.

I'd also suggest giving the inside of your computer a good clean, and possibly try removing certain devices. A malfunctioning CD drive has caused my computer to have bizarre power-related issues, and a non-functioning PCI card actually prevented the computer from shutting down (it'd get to the "Windows is shutting down" screen and then simply restart instead of turning off).

Since you're worried about not being able to get it to start up again I'd recommend altogether disconnecting all disc drives, any non-important PCI devices, and try rebooting.

Additionally I'm not sure if problems would manifest themselves in this way because of it, but you may have some faulty memory (or a faulty memory slot), so remove all but one stick and see if that makes a difference.

I've just remembered, my friend had a problem that was very similar to this - the computer got to the loading screen and simply refused to go any further. It turns out one of the memory slots was buggered, as determined by a memtest. The solution was to simply move the stick out of the broken slot and put it in another (working slot, that is).

Ohh, one small thing - If someone is accessing an area of your PC, say shared documents, then it won't shut down, or it'll delay the shut down consideribly - especially if there are any issues.

So try getting rid of network shares too, as they can cause a lot of issues.

By the sounds of the update problem, the directory to the WINDOWS folder can't be found. I had this problem and fixed it by trying System Restore. Even a restore point 1 minute before the update would fix it since the update may have jogged a file in the directory :L. How much RAM do you have starting up? If you go on the BIOS menu at the main start-up (once you press the power button), press the key to enter the BIOS options (usually DEL). Navigate to PCI config or anything with PCI in its name. If it shows a band measurement of memory there on the 'RAM cache', see if it can be altered. There would usually be 'BIOS RAM', 'Installed RAM', 'Total RAM' then 'RAM cache'. The RAM cache is an additional amount of installed memory used to help the start-up of an OS.

I would either try that or try the easier way. Try downloading another OS onto the system and boot from that. If that boots fine, it's rather blatant that Windows has a corrupt boot-up registry, which can be fixed by re-installing the OS (last resort) or repairing it using the installation disc or the System Restore menu.

Or, you can try what TerrorNation said too, see if there's any dust on the components in the PC and clean them. Just to note as well: Use an anti-static wrist band, it can your computer's life . I know I've probably missed an obvious solution, but I am looking for solutions.

-SSG

I had a similar issue on a Vista OS machine, but it ended up being a Bios problem an not related to Vista. The issue was caused by my having two internal hard drives and the bios for whatever reason changing the boot order of the drives. When it tried to boot from the non-OS drive it would stop at a blank screen. I never had the patience to wait and see if it would eventually try the other drive. Unplugging would fix it most times until the next restart. Just an idea. See if you can select the drive an boot from bios.

@SP,

You can set the primary boot device on the BIOS menu: Go to Peripherals, and set the 1st boot device as the HDD which contains you OS. That's what I had to do when I got a 2nd Hard Drive, my BIOS though it contained the boot command, loaded Windows from the other one and the screen was black which technically means the location of the OS is either undefined or corrupted, but it's never corrupt, usually, just set your first boot device to the main HDD .

-SSG

Also that reminds me - be careful with some of those USB drives and pens - they can confuse the boot sequence too - I had an external drive that had to be disconnected or it would block the boot up.

Don't know whether this is relevant but I've noticed that over the last week or so my Vista PC takes noticeably longer to boot up. During this extra time the screen is black with the usual various text messages muttering about BIOS, SETUP, etc - but at some point it displays a message showing a path with the string "/Registry" in it (I'll try to remember to note it down completely next time and report back) and shows this for a long time. This registry thing is new. The total delay is not as bad as 20 or 30 minutes but is very noticeable. I'm using Vista 64 bit Home Premium.

There are simple rules I follow that keep me out of stuff like this:

1.Dont use Vista,XP FTW,if you want,go Windows 7
2.Dont install updates
3.Use some proper antivirus (NOD32,BitDefender,F-Secure)

This has gotten me through for 8 years now,the updates caused a lot of trouble. Vista also has some horrible booting so it messed up many times. In the old days I used free apps like McAffee or Avast,got many viruses,since I use Nod32,my PC is clean.

Answer to your question: Its the updates.
To fix choose:

-Format your HDD
-Remove updates
-Wait for new updates that fix the problem
-Get XP or 7

He hasn't responded in a while... maybe we've succeeded in breaking his PC.

No, not yet I fired up my old PC a few days ago, and performed a system restore on that one to get rid of that nasty virus I brought up a few months ago. It seems to working fine now. In the mean time, I'm trying to find the cable to my other monitor, so I can try everyone's suggestions on my new computer, and finally get back to work. Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'm going to try one after the other, and see if any of them resolve the problem.

Kravenwolf