Help! Computer stops responding after loading windows.

sethamphetamines · Jul 24, 2014

Hi, I just started having an issue with my computer today.

While switching profiles in Chrome today, my computer froze. My girlfriend didn't know what to do, so she just left it. When I came home, I restarted the computer.

Now, after windows starts up, after a few seconds pass, the screen goes black, my USB keyboard and mouse completely shut down, and not even the power button works. To turn it off, I have to unplug it.

The computer functions fine in Safe Mode, and Safe Mode with Networking. I can also use MSConfig to start in diagnostic mode and that works fine.

I haven't been able to figure out the issue yet. I assumed a driver issue, especially a USB driver issue, but device manager shows all my hardware is working fine.

I haven't added any new hardware lately.

Possibly related: A few days earlier my mouse (Bloody V7) stopped working. I had to completely uninstall the mouse from device manager and reinstall it to get it to work. The computer has been fine for two days since that happened.

I tried to use WhoCrashed to determine what was going wrong, but all it displays is an error from months ago. It seems these crashes aren't creating a new Windows error log.

My computer is usually on all the time, and this issue only started today.

Any advice would be welcome.

sethamphetamines · Jul 25, 2014

More info:

This is in windows 7. I have a disk for windows 8.1 that I've been holding off installing. I tried to install that to another partition from boot, and the same error happened after the setup files loaded (shortly after asking for my install key).

So whatever is causing this seems to be causing an error in more than just my C:

I'm on my phone right now, but if necessary I can post my hardware info. I don't think that would be relevant as I haven't added any new hardware lately, aside from reinstalling mouse drivers.

Guest · Jul 25, 2014

I think the problem is in the files installed in your Hard Disk itself.
Since you aren't able to stay long on your OS as it stops responding, due to a system file crash which is causing the Operating System to not respond, the only way you are able to solve this is to perform a clean installation which is to delete the both partitions on your hard disk and re-partition them following with the operating system installation. That might just solve your problem. I don't think there is anything faulty with the internal parts. It's surely something to do with the system files. Since your windows 7 is installed on the Local Disk : C, it takes the lead as the primary operating system and it controls the activities on your entire hard disk. Installing another operating system on the other partition wouldn't help. Only by performing a clean installation after a format would do the trick.

sethamphetamines · Jul 25, 2014

Thank you for the help.

I'm considering installing a new hard drive (good excuse to finally get an SSD) and then I can work around the old hard drive.

If not, then I will definitely be trying your suggestion. Thanks!

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

This has now gone from a small pain in my butt to a much larger problem.

I got a new hard drive (Samsung SSD 840 Evo), I set it up in my previous windows (diagnostic mode) installation then disconnected the old hard drive completely.

I re-booted with my Windows 7 install disk in the drive, and a few minutes into installation on my new hard drive (while install was unpacking files) it locked up the same way. USB devices completely shutdown, monitor went black and power button was unresponsive again.

I've never seen a lock up like this before and I'm completely stumped.

Could there be a hardware issue causing this that wouldn't happen in safe mode?

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

I wouldn't start an install inside a system that already has troubles. It's likely to transfer some of those troubles to the new installation. You need to remove the problem partition from the equation. Without the old hard drive installed at all, begin your installation by deleting the partition you created on the new hard drive and then create a new partition, format it (If necessary, generally windows 7 will do this for you.) and then perform a clean install.

If you run into any issues with this then the problem is a hardware failure of some kind at which time I'd try a different mouse and keyboard. If you still have issues use a different USB port or ports. It's not uncommon on a machine that's got a few miles on it to have a USB port take a leave of absence. Also, check your BIOS to make sure all your hardware is reporting in as normal and it probably wouldn't hurt at all to try Memtest like the Kid said although I've seen a lot of memory pass testing and still end up being the culprit. Good luck and let us know.

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried reformatting the drive through windows 7 setup. The drive formatted ok, but my system still crashed at the same point. I ran Memtestx86 and that passed without issue.

I don't have a spare keyboard and mouse at the moment, but I did try booting windows with the mouse unplugged once, and another time I had my usb connected to the ps/2 port instead of usb (through adapter)

According to bios everything is reading correctly, and as mentioned it all works in safe mode.

My next try will be removing one stick of ram at a time. I have 4 sticks of 2GB each.

Other hardware info:
Motherboard- MSI 870A-G54
Graphics- MSI nvidia 460 GTX
CPU- AMD Phenom 2 quad core black edition 3400
1 external USB drive 1TB
1 internal Sata 3 western digital drive 1TB
1 internal Sata 3 Samsung 840 Evo SSD (just added tonight)

I have been using onboard audio, and audio is one thing I know that hasn't been loaded in safe mode/diagnostic mode (where windows is stable) Could that be causing the issue? Can I disable my onboard audio chip?

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

You can try safe mode with boot logging option that should tell you exactly what is being loaded when the hang up occurs. It will create a log file that you can then go in and see what happened or in some cases see it right away. You can definitely disable your onboard sound, just go into device manager, right click on your soundcard and select disable. Then reboot and see if it the problem persists. And what I was trying to say before is, you need to ditch the old hard drive for now, THEN format the hard drive deleting everything on it that might have come from the old drive when you began the installation from it, then install the OS. You can also go into BIOS and disable components like the onboard sound adapter to see if that helps while attempting the install. Make sure when you do the installation you select the custom install option that deletes all the old files otherwise it leaves some of the files from the previous installation sometimes.

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

I completely disconnected my old hard drive, rebooted with windows 7 install disc, deleted the partitions I had made on my new hard drive, created a new one, and my computer still locked up, At a different area this time. So it seems like it isn't related to windows unpacking the files, just after a certain amount of time has passed.

Disabling audio in the bios didn't help either. I thought I was onto something there.

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

Also, I don't see an option to boot into safe mode with boot logging. I have Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

I'm not sure what good that will do. Everything runs fine in Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. I'm not quite advanced enough to work off the command prompt, so I haven't tried that yet.

When I boot Windows normally, it boots up fine. It's locks up after the desktop shows and while other startup programs are launching. It couldn't be an issue with one of those programs though, because my computer locks up while installing a new windows also.

Maybe some windows service is causing an issue with my hardware? A service that doesn't load in safe mode?

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

You can enable or disable boot logging by using the MSCONFIG utility. Follow these steps in Windows 7 and Windows Vista:

1.Press Win+R to summon the Run dialog box.

2.Type msconfig and press Enter.

3.In Windows Vista, type the administrator’s password or click the Continue button.

4.Click the Boot tab.

5.Place a check mark by the item Boot Log.

6.Click OK.

7.Click the Restart button to restart now. Otherwise, click Exit without Restart.

Restart normally, not in safe mode, then after it hangs restart in safe mode and go take a look at the log which can be found by doing a search for ntbtlog.txt on your system.

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

Update: I started windows with "last known good configuration" and it was stable. (I'm an idiot for not trying this earlier)

Now my problem is all my network and audio services aren't loaded, so I have no sound or internet.

Because of this, I thought my onboard Ethernet port was causing problems, so I disabled it in my Bios. I use a PCI wireless card to connect to the internet. (I had already removed my wireless card to troubleshoot, but it wasn't the culprit). The Ethernet port doesn't seem to be the problem either.

Regardless, I tried installing windows to my new hard drive now that windows was stable. Same problem. Installation started and when it got to expanding files, it remained at 0% for about a minute, and then the computer crashed again like it had been.

Now I'm back in my old windows installation trying to start every service I can related to network and audio to see if I can get those working again, but no luck. I have re-installed the wireless PCI card, and I re-enabled my onboard audio. Both show up in device manager.

I'm at a total loss right now.

Also, there may be other normal services that are disabled right now, but I'm unaware. Internet and audio are just obvious ones.

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

If it runs windows with a previous configuration it should not have problems running an installation of windows where nothing has been installed yet. Perhaps it's a thermal issue or motherboard problem? That doesn't seem likely since it runs the previous configuration but I'm at somewhat of a loss here. Are you still trying to install windows to the new drive while running the operating system from the old drive or are you trying to install it with the new drive as the only drive installed in the system?

sethamphetamines · Jul 26, 2014

I am also at a loss.

It's not a thermal issue, there is plenty of cooling, I'm working right now with the case open, and I've played a few games in my old Window's installation to test for problems during resource intensive tasks.

I'm thinking it's a motherboard issue now. I'm going to try to update drivers, then perhaps flash a new bios. I have no clue what else to try.

If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll go down the expensive task of replacing parts, starting with the mother board.

And to answer your question, yes, I've tried installing Windows to the new hard drive with the old hard drive completely disconnected. Formating the new drive fresh from the Windows installation disk.

I also tried installing it from my old Windows installation, because hey, why not. It got further than it did before, but still crashed the same way after some time.

EDIT: I did do some research on Windows Services and have now been able to get online and play audio. So now I really don't know. I thought for sure that was a sign that my Motherboard was in trouble, but now I have no clue what doesn't work any more, aside form installing windows. I'm still in the process of getting everything updated through MSI's Live update utility. Once that completes, I'll try installing again.

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

Here's the kicker though. When installing a new OS, it doesn't matter about drivers being up to date or anything because, well, it's new. It should still install. Even if it doesn't know what to use or have a driver for a particular piece of hardware, it will generally use something generic for the install process after which you can install manufacturer specific device drivers or update them using the Windows update utility except in rare circumstances and usually on older systems. Windows 7 should be good to go with your SSD. You shouldn't need ANYTHING to install a clean OS on a bare drive. Can you post your build. Board, processor, BIOS version, any add in cards you might have, RAM type and specs, hard drives and any USB components that are connected during the install. Let me take a look at these and maybe get somebody else around here to pipe in if they have a better idea of what might be happening.

Darkbreeze · Jul 26, 2014

I found this, maybe it's worth a shot.

1.Boot up Windows 7 disc.
2.When the welcome screen comes up on Windows Setup, press Shift + F10, which will display a command prompt.
3.Type "diskpart" (no quotes) and press enter.
4.Type "list disk" and press enter.
5.Hopefully you can see your SSD in the list. You should see a number identifying it. Now type "select disk X" (where X is the number identifying your SSD) and press enter.
6.Type "clean" and press enter. This will write a blank MBR, YOU WILL LOSE ANY DATA ON THE SSD if you did have anything on it.

After completion try installing again. Also, make sure your set for IDE or AHCI. RAID probably isn't going to be helpful for a clean installation with one drive.

sethamphetamines · Jul 27, 2014

It lives!

I really don't know what the trick was.

I got all my services working, which shouldn't have mattered. Reinstalled a bunch of mobo drivers, which shouldn't have mattered. Flashed the Bios which may have helped. Cleaned the drive before windows installation like mentioned in darkbreeze's post, and then tried installing again, and it somehow worked.

I'm going with sheer will being the reason why, because nothing else really makes sense.

Thank you darkbreeze! I really appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

Darkbreeze · Jul 27, 2014

It was most likely the creation of the master boot record. But whatever it was, I'm glad to know you got it going. Don't hesitate to ask if you ever need help. Myself or one of the other members is always glad to do what we can. Take care.

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