Startup problems? Boot problems? Startup error?

Troubleshooting a computer startup error, startup problems and boot problems can be puzzling. They can happen due to a number of possible reasons and these are as follows:

Reasons for Startup Problems

• Corrupt system file or volume - An error message of some sort will tell you of what is the corrupt file. This will lead to a startup error.
• Hardware failure - This can be as simple as your computer has been unplugged, to a piece of hardware, such as a chip within your system that has failed.
• Faulty or bad driver - If you have just installed a new or updated driver for a piece of hardware than it quite possibly be defective or incompatible with your system.
• System misconfiguration - your computer may have slow startup but certain applications or services may be causing havoc or even failing to initiate.
• Virus infection - Viruses cause all sort of nasty computer problems, startup errors and boot problems being one of many so keep your antivirus protection updated. Visit our Antivirus Software page for further help and information.
  

 Other Start Up Problems

• Blue screen - Also called a 'STOP' screen. This is another computer problem within itself so please visit our Blue Screen page for more information. Learn More.
  
• Freeze screen - This is not just a startup problem. Please visit our Computer Freezes page for further information. Learn More.

Diagnosing computer startup problems

All the above are very plausible explanations for your computer to acquire these booting problems but to diagnose which one of them is the culprit then you need to use a bit of savvy and gain some understanding.

• Corrupt system file or volume - When you bootup your computer and before it gets to the Windows screen you may get a message of some sort. This is known as a 'black screen' message. These are less ominous than they look so let's see what they mean:
  

Message Shown	Probable Cause
NTDLR is missing
A disk read error occurred
System hangs after BIOS POST finishes	The boot sector is corrupt due to hard disk errors or a virus infection.
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
Check boot path and disk hardware
Could not read from selected boot disk	The boot volume is corrupt or the referenced system file is missing.
Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem	The boot.ini file is corrupt, missing, or needs updating.
Missing Operating System
Invalid Partition Table
Invalid Partition Table	The master boot record is corrupt due to hard disk errors or a virus infection.

As you can see from the above causes the same results appear - corrupt or missing files, hard disk errors or a possible virus infection. These can happen for a variety of reasons so visit our other pages for further information - viruses, spyware, registry corruption. The above messages are open to suggestion for the precise reason for your start up problems so go to the 'Resolving computer startup problems' below for the best and most effective way to solve them.

• Hardware failure - Listen for unusual noises such as clicking or grinding - could be your hard drive or your fan. Do you smell burning and if so turn your computer off, cool down and open it up for closer inspection. Mechanical symptoms are easier to find with some careful diagnostics but other start up problems are not so obvious to troubleshoot.

  DO NOT attempt to open up your PC if you are not 100% competent. Serious damage can be caused by interfering with the internals of a computer. Use a reputable computer engineer if you think that there is a hardware problem.

If you can get into Windows then check out the 'Device Manager' within your 'Control Panel'. This is obtained from clicking on the 'Start' menu. If there is any hardware that is malfunctioning or not working then a warning sign will indicate the offending item. Click on the 'Help' button within the 'Device manager' for further assistance .

• Faulty or bad driver - If your startup problem has occurred since you last installed a new or updated driver then uninstall this driver and see whether your startup error disappears.

• System misconfiguration - If a box appears on your screen with the following 'One or more services failed to start' then this is caused by a corrupt registry or a system misconfiguration or it can also be a problem with a conflicting application. A corrupt registry is a serious issue so visit our Windows Registry page for further help and information or click here for a FREE scan.
   
• Virus infection - Viruses can so easily be stopped from attacking your computer system. Once a virus or spyware has got hold of your PC then boot problems can just be the tip of the iceberg. Install a reputable antivirus package to clean your system of viruses. Please visit ourAntivirus Software page and our Spyware Removal page for further advice.

• Windows Update - Check that you have the latest Windows update available. Click the 'Start' button, click 'All Programs', and then click 'Windows Update'.

Resolving computer startup problems

Alot of booting problems are associated with a corrupt registry. The computer registry is the most vital componant on your computer system and without a registry your computer would fail to operate. Visit our Registry Cleaners page for more descriptive advice on how you can utilise an excellent tool to repair those worrying computer startup problems or you can scan your computer registry here for FREE.

Alternatively, turn your computer on, keep the F8 button pressed and a list of Windows tools will be listed on the black/blue screen. This is the Microsoft tool for your not-so-obvious startup problems. As you scroll down the list of options a brief description of the tool will be displayed to help.

Depending on the operating system that you are using the list of tools are as follows:

• Repair - Run the Windows setup from your CD and choose the repair option and let it run it's course.

• Safe Mode - This loads Windows with the basic set of drivers so it can possibly eliminate any boot problems. If it succeeds to boot without any issues then you can be sure that a driver is causing the startup error. Eliminate the last driver that you have installed - quite possibly a new driver update.

• System Restore - This will restore the system to it's previously saved configuration and this can certainly solve those start up problems.

• Recovery Console - This is for advanced users only as it will take you to a command line prompt to run various commands.

Learn more for further information about the recovery console from Microsoft Support.

• Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced) - This tool restores the 'Controlset' segment of the registry to it's last logon to the system.
  

If you are unsure about any of the above tools then get some sound advise from Microsoft's support page. Click here for Vista users.

Troubleshooting a computer startup error, startup problems and boot problems can be problematic yet using the above elimination methods you should (whilst using common sense and a little extra curricular) eradicate your boot problems and bring your computer back to top form. Visit our Registry Cleaners, Antivirus Software and Spyware Removal for further help on startup problems.