Windows won't start without using "Windows Memory Diagnostics"

007avenger007 · Feb 27, 2014

Now I don't exactly know which category this question belongs to so sorry about that. But as the title says, I'm using Windows 7 32-bit and a few days ago out of nowhere I started my PC and when windows is booting-up and you see those spiraling orbs it stops right when the first 2 start to appear... It hangs for about 2 seconds then the PC restarts. So I tried all of the Startup Repair options including System Restore but they didn't work... I'd lost hope but then I tried Windows Memory Diagnostic and once it was done I chose the "Start Windows Normally" option and Windows booted up fine. The results said there was no problem detected during the test although now whenever I have to restart my PC I have to go through this everytime. I'm 100% sure that my Windows is filled with viruses which may have caused this problem but I'm worried that there might be something wrong with my RAM? What do you guys think I should do?
BTW my rig is
i3-2120
Intel DH61H0 Board
2GB DDR3
160GB HDD SeaGate

Tradesman1 · Feb 27, 2014

Check in MSCONFIG and see if it's loading in startup, if so uncheck it

Go to START
type MSCONFIG in the search box
Enter
Click the STARTUP tab and look for the Memory diagnostics, if checked, uncheck
Click apply

007avenger007 · Mar 5, 2014

Tradesman1 :

The problem isn't the mem diagnostics... The problem is that the pc freezes unless I start the mem diagnostics... Without going throught the full memory diagnostics my pc keeps freezing at startup and restarting...

Somkash · Mar 6, 2014

007avenger007, I am having the exact same problem. I can never turn on my system normally if i shut it down properly. Have you found any solution ?

007avenger007 · Mar 6, 2014

Somkash :

I come back here looking for a solution everyday... Unfortunately I haven't found one. Other than that it would be really great if you're able to find one and please share it with me if you do... I'm having other PC problems too and I don't want to deal with this darn issue...

007avenger007 · Mar 6, 2014

Somkash :

I come back here looking for a solution everyday... Unfortunately I haven't found one. Other than that it would be really great if you're able to find one and please share it with me if you do... I'm having other PC problems too and I don't want to deal with this darn issue...

Tradesman1 · Mar 6, 2014

Try raising the DRAM voltage + 0.05, may be a weak MC

007avenger007 · Mar 7, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Look man I'm not a full on expert on this subject and my knowledge of hardware is barely advance level... Can you please explain that?
What do you mean by a weak "MC"?
Are the voltage settings in the BIOS somewhere?

Appreciate any further help

Tradesman1 · Mar 7, 2014

Yes it's in the BIOS area, by weak MC I'm referring to the memory controller, oft times if that is the problem a slight increase in voltage to either the DRAM itself or the MC itself can stabilize DRAM

007avenger007 · Mar 8, 2014

007avenger007 :

Tradesman1 :

K thx i'll try this and post the results...
Seems I'm having another problem that my CPU fan doesn't work most of the time and I have to leave the PC off for a while without any power to fix it... My PC is having bad days

Tradesman1 · Mar 8, 2014

Can you try a different PSU

007avenger007 · Mar 9, 2014

Tradesman1 :

The PSU came with the PC case and its a stock 400w PSU... I'm afraid I don't have any other option than buying a brand new one so no i can't "try" a different PSU right now... But since it has to do with power i do suspect that the PSU is at fault...

Tradesman1 · Mar 9, 2014

Might check w/ friends/co-workers and see if you can borrow one just to test with

007avenger007 · Mar 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Hey so I tried to raise the voltage as you said but the setting for everything except "graphics" is greyed out... I can only see the DRAM voltage (1.5 volts) but can't change it... What's up with that?

Tradesman1 · Mar 12, 2014

Was this in a prebuilt rig, if so may have a locked BIOS and SOL

007avenger007 · Mar 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Any way to unlock it?

Tradesman1 · Mar 12, 2014

If you can get a BIOS for it and upgrade to that, if it is a prebuilt, no guarantee the BIOS will work, if something like HP/Compag they may have altered things so reg mobo BIOS update isn't compatible, I think I'd contact the mobo maker and see

007avenger007 · Mar 14, 2014

Tradesman1 :

It isn't a pre-built rig... I built it myself after buying all the parts separately... my mobo is Intel DH61HO and I remember updating the BIOS from Intel's website but that didn't really change any thing...
Another funny thing...
I noticed I don't have to complete the memory test... when mem diagnostics starts I could just press "Escape" and after that windows loads fine... The mem diagnostics for some reason acts like a kick start... I'm convinced this is a software issue... Any thoughts??

netsolutions · Jul 23, 2014

Fixed this problem by running an inplace upgrade of Windows 7. This help point the issue to a system software problem of some sort.

MirPapillion · Nov 10, 2014

netsolutions :

Im not sure what you meant but myn only had optional but recommended updates and installing them did nothing.

I have exactly the same issue as the OP has. Right down to starting the windows memory diagnostic and hitting escape for it to be able to start normally. No idea why that works.

I was thinking this could still be a fault in a few areas however a hardware fault seems unlikely as i seem to be able to do everything like i normally can once i have got it started. I was contemplating getting a new hard drive and installing a new windows on to it. If said hard drive works fine that its either the old hard drive or a software issue. If not my guess is theirs something going on with the RAM. If it dose work i could try wiping my old hard drive after as a test and installing windows on it to see what happens. If it works then it was software if not its the hard drive but again it being a fault with the hard drive would make no sense as it all operates normally once past the bootup stage.

Windows won't start without using "Windows Memory Diagnostics"

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