SOLVED Computer needs several boots to start

[Jasnick]

Upgraded from Windows 7 a couple of months ago with no issues. Then a few weeks ago computer wouldn't boot and needed several tries of using the reset button and also turning it off and on to get it going. No error messages at all. Tried a clean boot to no avail and yesterday used the Recovery/Reset option. No issues with that, all went well and I re-installed a few programmes like Mailwasher, Avast, Malwarebytes, Firefox and Thunderbird. This morning it was back to the old issue of not booting for several tries. Then it came on.

So the Reset did nothing. I have never received any error messages. Once it gets going it works fine but it is becoming very tedious to have to wait so long for it to start.

Thanks

 

[Trouble]

Try uninstalling Avast and see if your problem goes away.
Use the programs and features applet in the control panel to uninstall and then use the vendor specific proprietary removal tool to get rid of any remnants.
https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

 

[Jasnick]

Thanks Trouble - I had already uninstalled Avast (as I had seen it mentioned as a possible cause of issues) but I have now done the extra uninstall from the link you provided. Won't be able to tell if it worked until tomorrow morning as re-starting has never been a problem once it starts. Will post result. Thanks.

 

[Jasnick]

Uninstalling Avast has done nothing - this morning needed 3 tries to boot. The fact that it eventually starts has me puzzled - why doesn't it start first try?

 

[Trouble]

The fact that it eventually starts has me puzzled

Me too.
Try clean booting the system and see if their is some third party program or service causing the issue.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135
Use the steps for 8 / 8.1 (same for 10)

 

[Dan99]

Do you have fast boot enabled in BIOS?

 

[Jasnick]

Thanks Dan99 - I don't know - how do I find this out?
Is this done via Power Settings?
OK - I've turned it off

 

[Dan99]

Thanks Dan99 - I don't know - how do I find this out?
Is this done via Power Settings?

No, if you had selected that you would remember. It was just a stab in the dark. I see you turned fast start off but that is not what I was referring to. Best if you stick with Troubles advise.

 

[Jasnick]

Thanks Dan - I wouldn't count on remembering anything I have two computers of my own and it is my husband's that is giving the trouble.

Trouble - I will do a clean boot. As re-starts are not a problem, I may not be able to tell what works and what doesn't so will do it prior to turning off tonight and see what happens in the morning. May take a few days to go through everything. Will post back. Thanks

 

[Jasnick]

After I removed Fast Boot yesterday I turned off the computer, waited at least 5 minutes then turned it back on. It started first try. So waited for this morning to see if that had fixed it but it didn't. Multiple tries to get it going this morning. So tonight will start the clean boot process.

 

[Jasnick]

One last ditch experiment before clean booting: last night I attached a different monitor and it started immediately. So I waited until this morning for the true test and to my surprise it started first attempt. Could it possibly be that I have a hardware issue and not a software one?

 

[Trouble]

I suppose.... anything is possible.
Maybe your computer was actually booting all along and the problem is with the monitor and it just takes a very long time to get with the program.
What is the differences between the two monitors?
Are you using the same connection (port on your video card) and the same cable on both monitors?

 

[Jasnick]

The working one is an Asus and the possibly faulty one is a Samsung. I found lots of posts on forums about the Analog/Digital box that pops up momentarily on the Samsung and is followed by a black screen - exactly my issue -
and the first thing to do was try a different monitor. All I did was swap over the connections so yes, same cables.

 

[Trouble]

Wow.... that was a whole lot of work on a computer that was probably booting all along.
Is there anyway on the Samsung monitor to make it default to the proper choice (analog versus digital). On many monitors there is an OSD on screen display that you can evoke by pressing a button on the monitor, maybe the auto setting is just not up to the task.

 

[Jasnick]

Quite possibly - I will need to attach it again, perhaps tonight, and check it out. Will do some research first. How do I know which choice to make - analog or digital? Isn't everything digital now or not?

 

[Trouble]

Good question. I would just try one and then the other and see which one actually works.
I've always associated a 15 pin VGA connection with Analog
AND
DVI and or HDMI with digital

 

[Jasnick]

Apparently the cable that comes with the monitor is analog so I will try that first.

 

[Jasnick]

I'd better close this thread now. Computer continues to boot correctly with replacement monitor. Just waiting for my tech friend to come back from holidays to have a look at the wonky monitor. Thanks for all the input.