Pc Won't Start

[Barsel]

I have a laptop which I'm using now, but I much prefer to use my Desktop PC. I've not been able to use it these last few days, as it won't get past Starting Windows. I've no idea what to do, will I need to take it to be looked at or is it a simple thing I might be able to do myself? Thanks in advance.

[Togo]

W7. 8, or 10 Barsel?

[Buenchico]

If it won't load Windows normally, have you tried booting it into Safe Mode? (Press F8 repeatedly, as Windows tries to load, until you're offered the option to use Safe Mode which, obviously, you should accept).

If you can get into Safe Mode, sometimes simply shutting down your PC and then starting it again will clear the problem. (Don't just use 'Restart'. Close everything down completely, wait for a minute and then boot up again).

If you can get into Safe Mode but the problem doesn't self-clear, or if you can't get into Safe Mode at all, please post again.

[davegosling]

^^ Do not, under any circumstances, just do a System Restore without knowing exactly what the problem is! System Restore can be useful, but should only be considered as an absolute last resort.

[Togo]

Have you got anything plugged into a usb port by any chance? If so unplug anything not required except your mouse and keyboard. Then after switching off try a reboot in safe mode.

[Togo]

Ahh good same tip ref safe mode. Barsel do you know how to access safe mode on your desktop?

[Togo]

Again Barsel, sorry, but have you recently had an update for whatever system you are using?

[Togo]

Dave Gosling gave good advice earlier the reason being is that you will not be able to undo a System Restore if it's done from Safe Mode or from System Recovery Options. You might not care since you can't start Windows normally anyway, but it's something you best be aware of.

[Barsel]

Togo it's windows 7 Ultimate. My daughters partner put it on for me as I wasn't keen on W10. A neighbour of mine came round with some recovery discs and although we got onto system restore, it said it couldn't do it. There was also another disc began with a U, think it had a penguin and some other animal on it, anyway, that hasn't worked either. He could have re=installed but we don't have the product key.

[Barsel]

Have just switched it off and pressed F8 repeatedly and the thing has come on.The desktop looks different but should be able to sort that out. Many thanks everyone.

[davegosling]

If the disc with the penguin on it was any flavour of Linux, you should be glad it "didn't work"!

[Togo]

Sorry to say so Barsel but I'm thinking bad disc. Your original product key will, or should, be on a little sticker somewhere on your system cabinet. You may have to do the new install using that after having w10 installed. Can't for the life of me though see what you found wrong with w10. If you can find the (usually a little white one) little sticker with the original 13 letter and number key you may be looking at a wipe the system and clean install. If you had any stuff you wanted to keep you will lose the lot though. By the way I revived my desktop after an overnight hard drive failure, it's subsequent replacement, loss of the original w7 disc and hours looking for it, then finding the sticker after being advised to look for it by a pal in the "business".

[Togo]

You lucky so and so. :))

[Togo]

Haha I started my 20.11 post at 19.59. I did ponder about it for a while though.

[Barsel]

Sorry guys spoke too soon. I switched off as Chris suggested, not restart, but the Starting Windows came on and won't move, so I'm back to square one. I've tried safe mode but there was no internet so I tried safe mode with networking but it keeps going back to Starting Windows. Togo, I don't have the product key as someone who put it on for me didn't give it to me.

[Old_Geezer]

There are executables out there what will look for the PC key. No idea if they run in safe mode.

But not giving you the key is a bit dodgy. It's the key that you pay Microsoft for. The software is free, it's the right to run it that costs; and the key is the proof this is valid and yours.

Can you not ask that someone what it is ?

[Old_Geezer]

Since you can get into safe mode (the different look is expected as many things haven't been loaded) it suggests the basic functions work. It will have to be from within Safe Mode one investigates and tries to find the issue (and correct it).

[Buenchico]

Get back into Safe Mode. (Don't worry that your desktop looks different. It's normal and occurs because the video driver won't have been loaded).

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and look for an option to take your computer's registry back to a recent date when things were working normally.

[Togo]

It was habit back then Barsel. Legitimate installers didn't offer up the key, but they did put a little sticker on the pc. Firstly have you looked for it carefully? There are programmers out there that can find the key for you, 23 digits I am now thinking for w7, but you need it running again. Have you again turned it off and tried safe mode boot? When you say that there is no internet what do you mean? Internet down? Doesn't connect to internet? In which case, after recovery, it may need re setting internet connections if you have changed your internet set up at a date after your restore point.