[Solved] Windows 7 freezes on cold boot

[RustyKnight]

Since Windows installed updates last week it won't boot from cold. It gets to the log-in screen, I enter my password then it freezes on a black screen with mouse pointer.

 

I pressed Ctr-Al--Del and click restart and it goes back to the black screen. I have to hold the power button down to switch of my PC, then when I start it again it works fine.

[KenB]

Boot up the system [ restart if you have to ] then do a system restore to a date just prior to the update.

 

Reboot the machine.

 

If it still has problems booting up it was just a coincidence - if it boots up ok then we can assume that the update was the cause :)

[RustyKnight]

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

I've done a disc scan, no errors and system file check. I also tried the option to repair start up problems but it said there weren't any.

[KenB]

I suspect that the System Restore may fix the problem for you.

 

Any installed software / updates will be lost.

 

Files / photos / data etc will be fine.

You may wish to backup anything that is absolutely needed .....just in case.

[RustyKnight]

I ran system restore from the recovery menu - pressed F8 at boot. It said it had failed, but when I restarted windows I got a box to say it had completed successfully.

 

The computer booted from cold this morning OK. Now I have to fix the stuff that updated in the past week and re-update Zonealarm internet security.

[KenB]

Let us know how it goes :)

[RustyKnight]

It booted without any problems the last two times. I haven't had any Windows updates yet, I guess if I get them and it stops again that will confirm the problem.

[KenB]

I will mark this one up as "solved" - for the time being :)

[RustyKnight]

Thanks for your help

[KenB]

You are very welcome :)