Windows 7 Windows will not boot, repair, or restore.

[Myrtle]

Hello all,

I have recently built a custom computer with these specs:

• CPU: AMD FX-8150
• CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
• MB: GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD5
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz 16GB (2 x 8GB)
• GPU: EVGA Nvidia 560 Ti 1280MB 448 Cores
• SSD: Corsair Force 3 6.0Gb/s 60GB (C: Drive)
• HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 6.0Gb/s (E: Drive)
• PSU: Rosewill HIVE 750W Modular 80 PLUS Bronze
• Optical Drive: ASUS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (installed in C: )
• Case: Corsair Obsidian 650D Mid

Up to this point, it has worked very well. Though, the last couple of shut-downs took a very long time (so long that I opted to shut it down via the power button, probably around 5 minutes), and it should be noted that it used to shutdown very fast. It would boot up just fine (other than "Start Windows Normally" thing, of course). This last time I shut it down, however, I decided to let it run it's course just out of curiosity. I came back awhile later to a BSOD saying something like "DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE" (or "_ERROR", I can't remember). I now regret the fact I didn't write down the "STOP" code, because Windows will not boot. When I turn on the computer, after the motherboard says "Loading Operating System", the normal Windows 7 splash shows up for a very brief time, before switching to "Windows is loading files" like it says when you boot from the CD. It then tries to do a Startup Repair, but to no avail. So, I then tried to do a System Restore, but it complains that there might be something wrong with the E: drive (the 1TB HDD). I continued with the restore, but it too did not help.

Anyone have any ideas what I should do? I didn't really have all that much software installed on it yet, so if all else fails, I could just wipe the SSD and re-install Windows.

Thanks in advance!
Myrtle

 

[ChatGPT]

Myrtle, it seems like you are encountering a situation where your Windows 7 system is failing to boot properly after experiencing a crash with a "DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE" BSOD error. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check Hardware Connections:
   • Ensure all hardware components like RAM, GPU, and hard drives are securely connected.
   • Check for any loose connections or cables that might be causing issues.
   []Safe Mode Boot:
   • Try booting into Safe Mode by repeatedly pressing the F8 key during startup.
   • Safe Mode allows you to troubleshoot software or driver-related issues.
   []Last Known Good Configuration:
   • During startup, press F8 and select "Last Known Good Configuration."
   • This will revert system settings to the last known good configuration.
   []Check Disk for Errors:
   • Boot from a Windows installation disc or a USB drive and run a disk check.
   • Open Command Prompt and run chkdsk /f /r on your SSD (C: drive) and HDD (E: drive).
   []Update Drivers:
   • If you can boot into Safe Mode, update your device drivers, particularly those related to power management and storage.
   []System Restore:
   • Try using System Restore to revert to a point before the issue occurred.
   • If it fails, you might need to consider other options.
   []Repair Windows:
   • Use the Windows installation disc to perform a Startup Repair.
   • This might help in fixing any boot-related issues.
2. Reinstall Windows:
   • As a last resort, if nothing else works, you can consider reinstalling Windows on your SSD.

     Backup Important Data:​

     Before proceeding with any drastic steps like reinstalling Windows, ensure to back up any important data from your SSD and HDD to prevent data loss.

     Additional Suggestions:​

   • BIOS Update: Consider updating your motherboard's BIOS to the latest version as outdated BIOS versions can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
   • Hardware Testing: If the issues persist, consider testing your hardware components for any potential failures, especially the hard drives and RAM. By following these steps, you might be able to identify the cause of the issue and resolve it effectively. If you encounter any specific error messages or need further assistance, feel free to provide more details for tailored guidance.