Windows 7 randomly restarts during boot screen

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patsta

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Jun 30, 2014
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From time to time (around 30% of the time), my computer will randomly restart during the boot screen. After that, it will either boot successfully, or get stuck in a loop. I never have problems after I get past the boot screen though, even during heavy usage (gpu/cpu demanding software, games, etc.).

I have already done the following steps in trying to narrow down the problem:
-Memtest 86+ (tried all sticks at once with no errors for around 12 hours, not individually tested though)
-Disabling restart after system failure
-Reinstalling Windows (around 2 weeks ago, still was a problem then and didn't get around until asking about this until now)
-Repairing windows installation (also around 2 weeks ago)
-Unplugging/ plugging cables
-sfc /scannow
-Disc check utilities (I used 2 or 3 different ones, all said no issues whatsoever)
-replacing hard drive*

*More info about the hard drive: around 4 weeks ago when I was using my old hard drive to boot windows (~3 year old Crucial m4), Windows started to BSOD and freeze to the point where it was unusable (occasional problems in past). After I replaced it with a crucial m500, the freezing/ BSOD went away, but the restarting on boot was still there

Computer Specs:
Windows 7
Radeon 6950
Crucial m500 256 ssd (boot drive)
WD 2tb HDD
WD 1tb HDD
i7 2600k
Gigabyte Z68X-UD34-B3 Mobo

Any other info will be provided if needed.

 
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delellod123

delellod123

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Jun 5, 2012
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insert windows disk. click Repair your computer to access system recovery options.

Startup Repair: A good first attempt. Automatically fix problems that are preventing Windows from starting.

System Restore: Restore Windows to an earlier point in time. Choose this option if Windows 7 starts, but something has changed since a recent installation or update. You'll pick a restore point based on date and time (start with the most recent). You may lose recent program changes, but not your data.
 
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patsta

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I will test it out. So far I have not had problems booting from a disc drive, if that helps, but I will try a clean boot a couple of times to see if I could trigger the problem

 
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patsta

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Corsair HX750W

 
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patsta

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I tried turning my computer on and off a couple times, and it has been able to boot normally. However, when I waited a while, and then turned it on, it got stuck on the loading windows screen for 2-3 minutes, but eventually was able to boot up. Usually my computer is only on the loading windows screen for no longer than 10 seconds.
 
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Cristi72

Cristi72

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A very good PSU, you can rule out a PSU problem. The temps for CPU/GPU are OK?
 
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delellod123

delellod123

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See my answer above. About windows repair utility. This restores windows to a point prior to corrupted update. What u are wondering about is most def what the problem is.
 
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patsta

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Yeah, last time I checked (a day or two ago), GPU was 65 under load, 50 idle, and CPU was somewhere between 40 and 50 under load, and somewhere in the 30s for idle.
 
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patsta

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I already used it 2 weeks ago and still had problems, but maybe there was a very small time period between when there weren't any problems (which is hard to say, because this happens occasionally). I can use it again see how things are from there.

 
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Cristi72

Cristi72

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I am also recommending a clean install (I assume that you are using the SSD for OS). If the problem persists, free one of the HDD's and also do a clean install. Also, when installing, be sure that it will be just one drive hooked up to your motherboard.

By the way, have you tried all of the above with only the SSD connected or it was with all the drives running? Occasionally, an HDD gone bad could make the system to behave in unexpected ways...
 
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patsta

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I have some more information: I went to the repair options of the windows installation disc, and when I pressed Startup Repair, it froze on the screen where it shows where to pick where the windows installation was. From what I saw, it said my windows installation was on the F: drive (my 2 tb HDD), which is weird, because my ssd was the C: Drive. The partition size wasn't from that HDD though, it was from my SSD.

This happened to me before (2 weeks ago), with the F: drive showing up and freezing. But that time I turned off my computer, unplugged the F: drive, and used startup repair with no problem (showing C: as the windows drive). It said it fixed something, so after that, I turned it on with no issues booting. I plugged in the F: drive, and it booted a couple of times, but then the problems started coming back.

This time however, I noticed that the HDD light was on, so i decided to wait a while. After ~10-15 minutes, it finally loaded. I selected the F: drive for it to be repaired, but it said there were no issues.

Then, I remembered that I moved the location of all the libraries from the C: drive to the F: drive using the location tab of the library's properties, so that's probably why it selected the F: drive for the windows drive.

Question #1) I assumed this was fine, but is it ok if the libraries are on a drive other than the boot drive?
Question #2) Could this mean my F: drive is failing? That drive was put in the pc the same time I put my old SSD in (~3 years ago), and that SSD failed. (My other HDD is only 1 year old).
 
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Cristi72

Cristi72

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1) Normally it doesn't matter, but if you change the HDD's order by swapping the cables or some problems occur on the other device, it can lead to issues. The best way is to have all OS installation on a single HDD/SSD.
2) That is another possibility; try to download the DLG DOS utility from WD site, burn it to a CD, boot from that CD and verify one HDD at the time. Be very careful though not to wipe off your information, so please don't do Burn tests or Writing zeros...
 
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patsta

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Not a single error found on any hard drive... then again I tested my old ssd with a couple hard drive tests and all of the drive had no issues, which was probably not the case.

The hard drive that I feel is the culprit is my 2tb WD HDD. To be more exact, it is the green version, which I heard people had issues with. Can the hard drive be causing these issues even if the test says it is perfectly fine? What should I do now?
 
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soyo84

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Dec 22, 2014
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I had the same problem,my pc restarts at win7 bootscreen all the time, i tried to repair, reinstall - during installation, the same problem appeared. I replaced a new SSD an MOBO, and the problem apeared anyway.... I changed CPU to new i3-3240(old was i7-3770) then problem was gone.... But, was this a real reason? May be PSU is too old, and it's not working properly? I have approx 5 years old "be quiet pro" 550W

 
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