This all started...

[Jeffreysaddison]

A few nights ago we received A Windows update at midnight that has caused me hours and hours of aggravation. I woke in the morning to see the error message saying it needed a bootable device. After hours and hours I decided to do a fresh install and complete wipe for Windows 7. To my shock, I received the same error message after attempting to install from the cd and the recovery file on the drive.
All tests available showed no errors.

I then bought a new hard drive and Windows 8. I was sure this would work.
After finally getting it to boot I was able to start the settup process. After about 5 minutes Windows played a pretty little tune, then shut down to a full color screen and freezes. The only way out was to preform a hard reset.

I now get this every time it boots anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 minutes after start up.

I can play around with it and get to command prompts and other repair options. If I attempt to have it fix the start up on its own it says it can not repair on its own.

I am not a computer wiz, nor do I play one on TV, but I sure could use some help here.

Thank you.

 

[2x4b]

Variable boot times have happened to me several times over the years. I've always traced it to failing piece of hardware. Once it was a CD/DVD drive, once an SSD, and once a mouse. All had to eventually be replaced.

Start unplugging stuff and see if you get a constant boot time. May take a while to figure out.

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

Thank you for your response. I will look into this. I will try anything. Getting desperate.

 

[The_Prophecy]

Sounds like failing RAM. Download and run MemTest86+. Let it run for at least a few hours and see if any errors are generated. Since you just got a new hard drive, we can be reasonably sure that is not causing the problem.

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

An update...
Now all I see is the Windows 8 logo screen then just a black or colored screen with no curser. Windows is not booting at all.
If I reinstall it may work for a boot or two, then ultimately end up at the black screen of death.
I have not had windows 8 working for more than 5 minutes. I have reinstalled it 9 times over the last couple days.
I have also tried to reinstall Windows 7 again but it freezes before the install can be completed, so I am unable to boot into safe mode.
I have two drives I have alternated back and forth between installs.
Any other ideas out there. I am stumped.

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I can not download anything. I have used Hiren's UBCD and have run several tests onall of the hardware and eeverything are back smelling like roses. I am running 2 G's of RAM in four slots.

 

[The_Prophecy]

Actually if you have a recent version of Hirens, Memtest86+ is already on there. What other hardware tests have you run? Would help to know what exactly you have tried already.

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

I have another computer. I will research for the latest Hiren's of that test is not in the one I have. I have run all of the available Windows test, HP tests and every test I thought would apply with Hiren's. I snapped pictures of many of the results.

 

[alxforever]

Start with this: Make sure your motherboard, CPU, heat sinks, and fans are completely clean and working properly and that all the ventilation paths are cleared of dust and clutter to avoid overheating.
Are you able to get in to the BIOS? Check the MB and CPU temperatures.

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

Another updat...
Thank you for your posts and answers.
I have cleaned all of the dust out of the towe. This was one of the first thingsiI did. All of the fans appear tobe working cleanly.
I have done some research and found these was a bad graphics driver installed in my last windows update. I am not sure what driver it was, but it prevented windows from running while the HDMI was plugged in. I am now keeping that unplugged until i am able to remove the bad driver
After that I was able to perform a bios update from HP and all appears well so far.
If anyone knows how to help me fix the driver update I am all ears
Thanks again!

 

[alxforever]

Tell me something: if you move your mouse, do you see the mouse arrow moving on the screen?

 

[Jeffreysaddison]

Yes,

I had a moving cursor. Everything is working well. I was able to upgrade my graphics Driver, correctly, no thanks to the Windows update that started this whole thing.
Now everything is working great and I now have ever a new 2T drive and Windows 8.1 as a result of this whole debacle.
Thanks again to those that took the time to ask questions and get my focus on the corrwct things to fix this.