Windows 7 stuck on welcome page (fixed)

photodgm

Help. I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. On starting computer seems to start normally gets to password which I enter then gets stuck on welcome screen. I have got in using safe mode with networking, still asks for password which I enter and it loads in safe mode. I've just updated and run malwarebytes anti-malware - quick scan which found no issues. Any suggestions for next step please? (also running intel rapid storage, which uses a SSD to speed up boot process, but since safe mode works I don't think that that is causing the problem)

robmar0se

photodgm wrote: »

Help. I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. On starting computer seems to start normally gets to password which I enter then gets stuck on welcome screen. I have got in using safe mode with networking, still asks for password which I enter and it loads in safe mode. I've just updated and run malwarebytes anti-malware - quick scan which found no issues. Any suggestions for next step please? (also running intel rapid storage, which uses a SSD to speed up boot process, but since safe mode works I don't think that that is causing the problem)

What was the last few things that you've changed? Has it started since you upgraded to the SSD? Have you tried upgrading BIOS/drivers?

photodgm

Not changed anything for a while - last software installed was zune (pc to windows phone transfer software) about 3 weeks ago. SSD came with computer. Whilst in safe mode I checked icon notification and when I clicked customise found that windows update was uploading at 71%. When I checked a few minutes later it was still on 71%. When I tried to run windows update from the all programs list nothing happened. I've now shutdown and re-started and I'm at the requesting password screen. I'm going to wait a bit then enter password and see what happens.

fas3robinj

Try - Restart PC. Tap F8 to get the menu that comes up for you to select safe mode. Don't go into safe mode.

There should be a menu item that says something like "Start windows using Last Known Good Configuration" Try that. It should cause the PC to restart using the parameters that were used for the last successful start.

photodgm

I'm back in safe mode (F8 didn't work perhaps because I'm using wireless keyboard, will look for old wired one I'm sure I have somewhere) ran windows update troubleshooter. It found but couldn't fix some problems!!!!! There has been a 'silent' update to windows update perhaps that has caused the problem? Going to eat breakfast and look for wired keyboard any other ideas very welcome.

fas3robinj

F8 is a bit tricky. What I do is restart PC and immediately it begins the restart start tapping the F8 key. Keep tapping it about twice a second. Don't stop taping until the menu appears.

waddler_8

As it starts in safe mode, perform a clean boot and then enable things bit by bit to see if you can pinpoint what may be causing the problem.

Fully outlined here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Pay particular attention to point 1.d though.

Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.

photodgm

I've tried good configuration - doesn't work. I've tried system restore to 2 days ago prior to a windows update installation - hasn't changed any thing. I already run with minimum services - I took a few more out including windows update but didn't change anything. Being suspicious of windows update I did run the windows update troubleshooter which tells me (twice) 'Repair windows update components - Not fixed' Anyone come across this?

photodgm

Seems fixed - not sure what the root cause was - but in case someone finds themselves in a similar position, this is what worked for me. Plugged in a wired keyboard and mouse booted into safe mode, disabled all services apart from microsoft and intel ones. Stopped all programs loading on startup including anti-virus. I then restarted and booted as normal (ie not safe mode) I could now run windows update, so I did. Had a little trouble restarting the anti virus service but did a repair from the add/remove program in control panel followed by an update. Enabled all the services and programs I had stopped restarted and everything now seems ok. Not yet checked with the windows update troubleshooter not sure if I want to do that or not..........