Question Laptop freezes whilst Windows 10 is loading ?

[Adam H]

Laptop model: Acer Predator Helios 300 N20C3

CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
Graphics: RTX 3060
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 500GB M.2

The other day, this laptop was suddenly unable to boot past the Windows loading animation. I see the boot Predator logo, the Windows 10 spinning loading dots start up, and after a few seconds, they just freeze. Replacing the drive outright with another running Windows 10 seems to work fine, so I know it's not an issue of the laptop itself. It must be something with that specific installation of Windows 10.

Here's everything I've tried
Automatic Repair (nothing)
Recovery Menu > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options

Startup repair​

Uninstall Updates​

System Restore (not available)​

Command Prompt bootrec (bootrec /RebuildBcd, bootrec /fixMbr, bootrec /fixboot, bootsect /nt60 SYS, bootsect /nt60 ALL)​

Boot USB Windows 10 Update (not available)

I'd like some means of repairing this drive without outright re-installing

Thanks in advance

 

[KingLoki]

Will it boot into Safe Mode?

 

[Adam H]

Will it boot into Safe Mode?

Yes it will! Specifically Safe Mode without networking

 

[KingLoki]

Ok, then it should be related to
1. One or more Corrupted/faulty/incorrect driver files
2. Third party software or plug-in
3. A service that runs on boot up causing windows to hang or freeze.
4. Small chance of hardware problem

 

[KingLoki]

You can disconnect any external peripherals-printers/keyboard/mouse/external drives etc, then try to boot. This may narrow it down to external device connections and drivers. May put you a step closer to finding the culprit.

You also mentioned it started the other day. Did you add new hardware or install any new programs or plug-ins around that time?

 

[Adam H]

You can disconnect any external peripherals-printers/keyboard/mouse/external drives etc, then try to boot. This may narrow it down to external device connections and drivers. May put you a step closer to finding the culprit.

You also mentioned it started the other day. Did you add new hardware or install any new programs or plug-ins around that time?

Everything's been disconnected from the system save for the power cable an the issue remains. I've attempted uninstalling the wifi drivers via Device Manager and reinstalling them from the manufacturer's website, but it doesn't seem to have worked.

Is there some elegant solution to narrowing down which driver or startup process might be causing the issue?

 

[KingLoki]

Please follow the steps below...
1. Boot into Safe Mode
2. Type "msconfig" (without quotes) in the search box.
3. Click on "Selective Startup"
4. Untick "Load startup items"
5 Click "Apply" - "OK" then reboot

This will show if a startup item is causing it.
Let me know how u go, cheers

 

[Adam H]

Please follow the steps below...
1. Boot into Safe Mode
2. Type "msconfig" (without quotes) in the search box.
3. Click on "Selective Startup"
4. Untick "Load startup items"
5 Click "Apply" - "OK" then reboot

This will show if a startup item is causing it.
Let me know how u go, cheers

Thank you! Unfortunately this still led it freezing in the same spot as before.

 

[KingLoki]

ok, well try again the steps above but this time only UNTICK the "System Services" box and leave the startup items ticked, and then re-boot, so you can isolate it to services only. Pls let me know how you go with that.
The process of elimination

 

[Adam H]

ok, well try again the steps above but this time only UNTICK the "System Services" box and leave the startup items ticked, and then re-boot, so you can isolate it to services only. Pls let me know how you go with that.
The process of elimination

Ok! Doing this still led to the same crash. Going back into Safe Mode asks for a pin to be set up, but I apparently can't do this in Safe Mode? So I effectively can't get back into the system, even via Safe Mode.

 

[Adam H]

Oh, and I should add that I'm now able to use the boot drive in an enclosure on another computer trying to see how it behaves if I boot it as a virtual machine, if this makes any fixing steps easier.

 

[KingLoki]

Have you booted up inside the VM? Did it boot fully or safe mode only?

 

[Adam H]

Have you booted up inside the VM? Did it boot fully or safe mode only?

I wasn't able to get it to work, and at this point I sort of didn't want to put too much more time into it. Had the drive wiped and reinstalled Windows fresh. Fortunately, data was backed up beforehand. The only thing that seems to be happening now is that restarting from within Windows doesn't work, just goes to a black screen that forces me to hold down the power button. Shutting down via Windows does still work, though.

 

[KingLoki]

Try a hard reset into safe mode from within windows...
Hold the 'Shift' key down and press the reset switch on the case and continue to hold shift. Then see if you can get in that way. Cheers.

 

[Adam H]

Try a hard reset into safe mode from within windows...
Hold the 'Shift' key down and press the reset switch on the case and continue to hold shift. Then see if you can get in that way. Cheers.

Oh I'm able to get in just fine! The only issue is that restarting doesn't work - only shutting down does.

 

[KingLoki]

Are you in the VM?

 

[Adam H]

Are you in the VM?

No, it's a fresh install of Windows on the laptop. Everything runs fine now, just the restart doesn't work. Apologies, I got all mixed up lol