Computer fails to boot correctly!

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The goblin

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Marsha
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Hi, just curious if anyone else has suffered this.

Following a Microsoft update a month ago my PC refused to start saying something like 'windows failed to start'. After trying the repair tools nothing worked. A friend who is very handy with PC's fixed it saying the pc was booting in the wrong order and not recognising the SSD.

A week later and another Microsoft update and it did it again. This time I was annoyed as I tried disabling the updates beforehand so hit the brandy in a :rage: My friend was away but he instructed me on a fix, I had to go in to the BIOS and manually override the boot sequence. I did this until he got back and fixed it again.

Another update occurred with no issues.

Then another and it did it again! My friend hasn't managed to get round yet so I currently have to start my PC via the BIOS again!

My question is, does any one of the TP experts have any clue as to why this is happening and how I can stop it? Yes my friend can fix it, and this time he's going to show me what he did so I can fix it, but he's clueless as to why it keeps happening.

My PC is the following spec:
Intel Core I7 3.20GHZ
16.0 GB RAM
64-bit operating system.
Windows 7 Professional with Service pack 1.

I have updates changed to 'download only, install when I say' but it still installs them anyway. Apparently going in to the registry is the only way to change it and I don't like messing with the registry!

I run CCleaner regularly and have Norton Internet security.

Any hints/ tips/ advice appreciated.
 
I'd be cautious about not accepting any updates. MS often close security holes through them.
Is the only issue that it's changing the boot order?
 
Mine is doing this at the mo! Let me no how you cure it, I lost it and now trends no side panel as it's been punched through.....
 
Couple of things to try :

1) reset the cmos /bios via jumper pin
2) change the battery (usually cr2032) - however different for laptops
3) update the bios to the latest version
4) update the ssd firmware if possible
5) update the sata controller driver to the latest version
6) make sure you are using ahci and not ide (check the bios)
 
Mine boots up now and again but can't select anything except shutdown! If I try selecting and programs or file it doesn't do anything or says it's being deleted or not found in registry! Going to try a fresh build I think start a fresh
 
Change the update setting to notify you instead of downloading automatically. Then you can select the best time to download & install (and don't forget to do it!).

Re the hardware, what Sphinx suggests will help. You might also want to make sure the SSD is plugged into the lowest numbered SATA port.
 
Updating bios is a black art ... beware.
 
Sphinx said:
Couple of things to try :

1) reset the cmos /bios via jumper pin
2) change the battery (usually cr2032) - however different for laptops
3) update the bios to the latest version
4) update the ssd firmware if possible
5) update the sata controller driver to the latest version
6) make sure you are using ahci and not ide (check the bios)
Click to expand...

All black magic to me, I shall pass this on to my friend!

droj said:
Updating bios is a black art ... beware.
Click to expand...

Me no touchy anything in the bios without expert advice! This PC is too expensive for me to screw it up!
 
ancient_mariner said:
Change the update setting to notify you instead of downloading automatically. Then you can select the best time to download & install (and don't forget to do it!).

Re the hardware, what Sphinx suggests will help. You might also want to make sure the SSD is plugged into the lowest numbered SATA port.
Click to expand...

I shall check where the SSD is plugged in.

As for the updates, it doesn't matter what I change they still just happen automatically! They refuse to be turned off/ changed! Plus I am aware that these updates are essential and I have no clue as to what messes the PC up!

I did notice after the problem initially started that there were a number of failed updates. I had to download and install them individually!
 
As far as turning off your updates is concerned......

CONTROLPANEL; SYSTEM AND SECURITY; WINDOWS UPDATE; CHANGE SETTINGS;

then select NEVER CHECK FOR UPDATES and click OK.

Some folk get all upset at this though:rolleyes:

Is your date/time still OK on your PC? If not your battery needs changing and that is the only way I can think of that would change your boot order (unless you never saved the configuration)?
 
Mikesphotaes said:
Is your date/time still OK on your PC? If not your battery needs changing and that is the only way I can think of that would change your boot order (unless you never saved the configuration)?
Click to expand...

No, the date wasn't ok! It was out by about five hours and it wouldn't set automatically!

What battery? I didn't know there was one!
 
CMOS battery changed, thankfully I had one spare CR2032 battery at home! Gave it a much needed dust/ hoover while it was open, this is one dusty country, the fans were fairly caked up!

Now, when I started it it asked to enter setup to configure the BIOS :runaway:

I have just entered via the BIOS override as previous as like I said before I don't like to mess within the unknown!

Any tips on what I should be doing to configure it?
 
Find out what your SSD drive letter is (from My Computer) then boot into BIOS (usually F8) and change your boot order so that your SSD is first, save the setting and Bob's yer Aunty!

You will also need to set your date and time when you are in there.
 
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I know the SSD is the C drive. This is the main page in the BIOS, the c drive is not obvious to me:


I have been exiting here and going to boot override where I scroll down to here and choose the one at the bottom:



Apparently it's the SSD and the computer starts fine after this!
But I can't figure out which it is in the boot order as it doesn't scream c: drive at me!

Sorry if I seem thick! I can (could, retired now) control aircraft but operating inside a PC is a whole different dimension!
 
Looks like 3rd or 4th option on the first screen.
It doesn't really matter if you are wrong as you can always change it

BTW, UEFI is Unified Extensible Firmware Interface :)
 
kendo1 said:
Looks like 3rd or 4th option on the first screen.
It doesn't really matter if you are wrong as you can always change it

BTW, UEFI is Unified Extensible Firmware Interface :)
Click to expand...

I'd guess it is the fourth, otherwise it should have booted up ok (if the SSD was the third)

I'd just move it to third (so the first fixed drive) that way you can boot with USB without having to go back into the BIOS if you need to
 
Why would you want to boot from usb unless you had a problem?
I'd place the ssd first, why fck about? :) :)
 
have you tried looking at it in the advanced mode rather than the EZ mode?

Now you know the SSD model number it should be easy to see in a list of boot options and might be clearer than the GUI
 
kendo1 said:
Why would you want to boot from usb unless you had a problem?
I'd place the ssd first, why fck about? :) :)
Click to expand...
Well exactly you'd only boot from USB if you had a problem, so I'd leave it first just in case. Doesn't have any impact unless a bootable drive is in anyway

just personal preference, and I do tend to rebuild my computers fairly often :)
 
I don't want to boot from a USB, I want the SSD first! I tried moving each one into first, then rearranging the rest around it! I have tried various different orders and still it fails to boot correctly :( I thinkI will await my nerd mate popping around and see what he does! I shall take note and see what happens!
 
mjScall said:
Well exactly you'd only boot from USB if you had a problem, so I'd leave it first just in case. Doesn't have any impact unless a bootable drive is in anyway

just personal preference, and I do tend to rebuild my computers fairly often :)
Click to expand...

No prob, just my personal preference to change it when I need it! Which has happened twice in the last twenty years...
 
I've never used the ASUS BIOS software but did a quick google and found this as a 'fix' for the BIOS not taking changes properly after a battery change

Since you removed and replaced the battery, there are two other things you should do. The first is to restore a reliable set of parameters in BIOS, and then use a BIOS tool to make your changes stick.

Boot into BIOS Setup by holding down the "Del" key as it boots. On the EZ Mode screen (Manual page 3-2) at top right click on the Exit / Advanced Mode tab. See Manual page 3-32 for its contents. Choose the first option to Load a complete set of Optimized Defaults into BIOS. Then click on the second choice, Save Changes and Reset.

Your system should reboot cleanly. As it does, hold down "Del" again to re-enter BIOS setup. Now make any changes you need, including setting the clock. When you are done, go back to that Exit / Advance Mode screen and use that Save and Reset choice again. Unless you do this, your changes are lost.

Now your system should reboot with the changes permanent. After you have shut down completely and re-start later, those changes should still be in place.
 
Matt I have tried everything and got all excited as the boot order has been changed (completely back to front to the picture above) but alas it's not still not booting!

Curiously I tried setting the time in the BIOS and when I 'save and reset' it adds another hour! Unless there's a daylight saving option I've not found I don't know why it does this! The 'new' boot order stays the same now, just the time changes after I reset it!

I know my mate will come round press two keys and the world will be right again, but I'd really like to know why it refuses to work for me!

Dam I feel a brandy needed!
 
I think Matt has the right idea With post 25.

What happens when you press the boot menu(F8) in first BIOS screen?
 
OK, I have the ASUS BIOS too, so here's what to do.........

Boot into BIOS with DEL key.

Select EXIT/ADVANCED button on top right of first BIOS screen.

Select ADVANCED.

Select BOOT on the row of top buttons.

About 5 or so lines down it has BOOT OPTIONS 1.

Use the scroll down to highlight this option and a popup screen will appear with your SSD on it (mine is P1, looks like yours is P0).

Select your SSD as OPTION1

EXIT.

Save CHANGES.

Job done!:)
 
Mmmmmm:eek:

Mine doesn't have the Windows boot manager option, what happens when you select it?

My best guess (as I am struggling now), is to switch off your PC.

Make sure your lead is securely fitted to both the SSD and the motherboard end is in the first SATA plug, mine is marked SATA 1 (6G).
 
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I am hoping my friend can fix it again. I think I have fiddled around enough in the BIOS and have managed to not destroy it!
I shall await his rescue, but I will follow what he does to fix it and let you know here, at least it might explain should someone else get the same issue!
 
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