PC in reboot loop - ARGH :@

[Macman]

BIOS

American Megatrends
BIOS Revision: 5.04 06/23/07
Core Version: 08.00.14
Model Number: m8170.uk
Product Number: GJ312AA-ABU
Build ID: 73GBv3PrA3

nVidia GeForce 8500 GT
500W CM SilentProM RS500AMBAD3

If more information is needed I will try and source it.

Basically I started up my computer and was met with the message that my HDD was either about to fail or intermittently due to fail something along those lines.

Took apart one of my internal HDD which was 2TB and shoved into the PC. Reformatted the PC and started from scratch so as follows:-

- PC running Windows 10 (Was running laggy like)
- Reformatted it
- PC running Windows 7
- HDD Failure Imminent message
- Insert internal HDD - Reformatted PC
- PC running Windows 7, apply all of the MS updates
- Restart PC

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. As it stands just now, I cannot get into windows at all.

Not sure what to do from here, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Solution: Bought new HDD

[Jonj1611]

Go into BIOS and change hard drive from IDE to AHCI or other way round if its already AHCI

[Macman]

I've done that, windows will still not boot up.

[Jonj1611]

Ah right, I am a bit confused about the internal HDD bit, do you mean external HDD, you took apart one of them to use as a replacement HDD?

I guess you have tapped F8 on startup and tried booting into Safe mode?

[Macman]

Ah right, I am a bit confused about the internal HDD bit, do you mean external HDD, you took apart one of them to use as a replacement HDD?

I guess you have tapped F8 on startup and tried booting into Safe mode?

doh. exactly that lol.

Cant even get it into safe mode. I'm going to format it, how do I disable the MS updates?

[Jonj1611]

Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update > Change Settings

I think its that but doing it from memory.

Hope you get it sorted

[satrow]

Try F8 and Last Known Good - multiple times, it should go back in time.

[Macman]

I have reformatted the PC, I've also disabled the updates. Now, if I manually download and install SP2 manually, will I get the critical fixes from the patches inbetween SP1 and SP2?

Or will I be ok if I install Anti Malware and Antivirus software?

[Jonj1611]

You may find you need SP1 before you can install anti-virus etc and I am not sure if you can do SP2 before 1, generally though when I have done it in the past there have been some pre-requsites before SP1.

This may help :-

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/2505743

[Macman]

I've reformatted the HDD to NTFS, disabled all updates, installed:-

- Steam (Some games)
- Anti-Malwarebytes
- AVG Antivirus

Restart windows and I get the hard drive check for consistencies? I used the command prompt to check for the drive being 'dirty', result show it is.

Would it be best I just buy a brand spanking new HDD?

[Jonj1611]

Are you sure the hard drive cable is ok?

And moving forwards, check the SMART settings and see if there are any problems, if not monitor to see if you keep getting the hard drive needs to be checked message, allow it complete fully at least once.

How are you shutting down Windows? Usually a dirty drive is caused by not shutting down properly.

[satrow]

A full format (rather than quick) would have checked and moved/replaced any bad blocks, try HD Sentinel for your SMART checks: http://www.hdsentinel.com/

[Macman]

Looks like the issue was me using the external hdd. Bought a 1TB WD drive brand new, seems to of resolved the issue for now.

Will tell for sure tonight when I boot the PC up.

In the meantime I appreciate all your input guys!