Windows 10: Bootup Takes Two Tries

I found Manage Attachments and it seems to have uploaded from there . . . we'll see. *Huh

There was a little thingy that came with it that you plug into the laptop, but that's the extent of my "Entertainment" knowledge. I've never attempted to use it because I didn't understand it.

Yes, it was. Boot order was set at HDD and then DVD; however, I didn't set it that way. Did Windows 8 do it? I'm guessing it did.

There are no external devices hanging off the computer; I did change out the mouse, but that made no difference, nor would I expect it to.

 

You are doing great - thanks for all you've tried and reported back.

I was impressed that you got Speccy to work ... I had previously posted (on a different thread) that the install fails. When I tried to run it on my machine I "remembered". I figred out that you downloaded the portable version - BRILLIANT! - so that's what I grabbed too. Same results as you however - CPU.dll and SPC.dll failed to load. Tried a few things (allow in firewall, exclude from Defender, change security properties - nada!). I sent feedback to MS - the other Piriform apps work ok (cCleaner and Defraggler)
I apologize for sending you down that rabbit hole and I thank you for figuring out the portable version.

Between Saltgrass, you, StarFerret, and myself - everything looks ok.

A few things to try before removing the hardware.

1) Turn off hibernation
This command does not display any information, it just turns off hibernation and returns you to the prompt.

Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator)
type the following:
powercfg /h off
exit
Restart the machine. Any change in boot behavior?
HOLD off on the next two -
other things I already knew didn't work well in the preview.

2) Check System File Integrity

You might want to run this after booting to Safe Mode - there were errors on my machine and the message indicates files were in use. Running in Safe Mode first will save you from having to run SFC a second time if the results are the same or similar on your machine.

This takes a while - post what the scan reports after it is finished (on the command prompt window - no integrity issues found ... some integrity issues could not be resolved ... )

Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator)
type the following:
sfc /scannow
exit
Restart the machine. Any change in boot behavior?

copy C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\cbs.log to a location under your profile (desktop, downloads, or ...)
the original file is protected, so you have to make a copy

attach the entire log and a member will review it.

Here's what my machine reported in the command window:

sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some
of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For
example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Note that logging is currently not
supported in offline servicing scenarios.
While I'm trying to help you, you're really helping me test Win10 - thanks. Now I can see what Win10 thinks is wrong on this machine.

I'm fairly certain this means I'll have to run SFC in Safe Mode. Not sure how to do that in a VM, but it might be accomplished in msconfig - we shall see!

I'll review the log on this machine and use it as a base to compare the results on your machine.
3) Cleanup System Image - RestoreHealth
This also takes a while. Make sure your internet connection is available - this uses Windows update to check core file health.

Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator)
type the following:
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
exitcopy C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\cbs.log to a location under your profile (desktop, downloads, or ...)
the original file is protected, so you have to make a copy

attach the entire log and a member will review it. Yes, it is the same log as sfc created, but now it has been updated with dism results.

Any change in boot behavior?
After this, the hardware is the only thing left that I can think of.

The issue was in win8.1 and is in Win10 - the SSD wasn't added until Win10 ... this is a sticky wicket!

Bill
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I am a little concerned if the system double boots when booting to a flash drive, there may be something buried in the bios. If we think it is a Windows situation, maybe burning an Ubuntu DVD and booting might give an indication if it is related to Windows or not. Booting to a Windows 7 Install DVD might show the same indication since it seems to work with Windows 7. If you need one of those, the .iso file can be downloaded and burned to a DVD.

The way to boot to a flash drive is to select it during boot with a special key sequence which brings up a Boot Device Menu, or using the bios and selecting some type of Boot Override to boot directly to the flash drive, or DVD. Setting it as first priority in the bios may or may not hold when a restart is done, depending on how old the system is.

I have no experience with a "little thingy" but those highly technical terms always confuse me... *Wink If that system was set up to do some special type of boot for the Entertainment option, perhaps there is something in the bios you can turn off, if you can get there. I may go to the HP site and check around.

Can you turn off the floppy in the bios, do you actually have a floppy drive? And how was the SSD designated?

 

Thanks for reminding me: see Post# 25 for the HP information.

I asked about the BIOS version - there are a few updates, but I don't know what version is on the machine now.

Wynona can tell us that when she catches up.

 

Just got outta there! According to one place, the BIOS version is F 4.3; however, when I get to the setup menu, I see "Insyde H20 Setup Utility Rev. 3.5.

I've changed the boot order once more:
Internal CD/DVD
Notebook HDD
USB CD/DVD
USB Diskette on Key/USB HDD
! Network Adapter
! USB Floppy

Boot capability will be disabled if the device with the exclamation mark (Exact wording of this statement)

CD-ROM Boot - Enabled
Internal Network Adapter Boot - Disabled
Floppy Boot - Disabled

Virtualization - HP says:
Virtualization Technology: Hardware VT enables a processor feature for running multiple simultaneous Virtual Machines allowing specialized software applications to run in full isolation of each other. HP recommends that this feature remain disabled unless specialized applications are being used.

Virtualization - Enabled

Gee, Bill, I already ran SFC /ScanNow and got a message identical to yours. I'm going to go ahead and attach it since I already ran it. I couldn't figure out how to get into safe mode with Win 10, though. Oh, phooey! I'm on the desktop (more comfy to type on), so I'll attach the file in the next post.

 

Once again, I apologize - the SFC has a lot of errors re: can't decompress the file - as far as I can tell - these are all Win10 preview related and shouldn't be a concern. I'll take a look at the file you post - if it's too large, you can either pack it in a zip folder or just forget I ever mentioned SFC *Redface

Please post a System information file.
Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> System Information
File menu -> save

This will create a .NFO file - you'll have to put that in a zip folder because the forum doesn't allow .NFO file uploads

This file should accurately provide the BIOS information, plus a whole lot more.

Virtualization enable - allows you to run Virtual Machines using the AMD stack.

Thanks for bearing with me. I think Saltgrass might be onto something - I remember thinking "How cool is that - I can run CDs without booting" when I got my machine. Never used it though. I'm not sure how that might cause this issue though.

The little thingy might be a remote control.

Bill
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No problem. I'm just glad you're willing to help me figure out what's wrong with this little feller.

Will do tomorrow AM when I'm fresher. That way I'll be able to figure out where things are in 10 a little easier.

Yeah. I was pointing out that the laptop shipped with VT enabled, contrary to the BIOS recommendation. *Tongue

Yep, it be a remote control for Media Center in Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate. Guess it's a tad bit useless by now, but I may try it out tomorrow, just for grins and to see if it'll do anything. I think I saw Media Center on here, although I've heard it's not.

And I'm still leaning toward something common to Windows 8.1/8.1.1/10 that's causing the problem. There's just not any hardware except for the DVD drive I can remove from this machine. Besides, I didn't have to try twice to boot with Win Vista, 7 or 8.

 

As I looked around on HP, I was reminded that HP is recalling certain power blocks. You might want to check yours to see if it qualifies.

See: HP Notebook PC AC Power Cord Safety Recall and Replacement Program Announced August 26, 2014 HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support

It's not just your machine, it's any laptop with the power brick identified in the link I provided.

This is unrelated to the issue at hand, just thought I'd bring it to your attention.

Bill
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I'm going to guess that your BIOS is F.43 (not F 4.3), but guessing is never good where BIOS is concerned *Wink

Here's the list of BIOS fixes - the last few are of note (future OS support)

F.33:

• Fixes an intermittent issue where the notebook stops responding (hangs) and displays a black screen when resuming from Standby (F3) mode.

F.35:

• Fixes an intermittent issue where the function buttons that are located in the same row as the Power button may not work.

F.41:

• Updates AMD CPU AGESA code to improve compatibility and system stability.
• Fixes an issue where the system wakes up from Standby (S3) mode when the battery power is less than three percent.
• Fixes an issue where the system enters Hibernation mode earlier than specified in the Power Scheme setting for a critically low battery condition.

F.43:

• Fixes an intermittent issue where the display panel randomly turns on and shuts off when attaching the AC adapter to a notebook/laptop that does not contain a battery.
• Fixes an issue where a "blue screen" 0xF4 event may be returned after resuming from Sleep (S3) mode if the notebook/laptop contains a Western Digital hard drive.

F.44:

• Modifies the thermal policy for supporting the Boston Power Battery Pack.

F.46:

• Fixes an issue where the DV-out function on the 1394 port does not work.
• Fixes an intermittent issue where the notebook/laptop cannot be powered on.

F.47:

• Adds support for the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System with Service Pack 2 (SP2).
• Adds support for future Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.

F.48:

• Adds support for future Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.
• Updates some strings in the BIOS Setup Utility (F10).

F.49:

• Updates the Computrace OPROM to support the next generation of Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.

How to install
1. Download the file by clicking the Download or Obtain Software button and save the file to a folder on your hard drive (make a note of the folder where the downloaded file is saved).
2. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Just a list for now - let's see what version is on your system. Technically, you should be able to update to the latest, but on rare occasion, there's an issue. Being prepared with a fallback option and understanding the flash methods are important.

 

Sorry to be late to reply. When you buy an SSD. Usually, there's a CD that comes with it including the software ultilities and one of the option is to check for firmware update if the current firmware of the SSD is out of date, it will have an option to update it.

BTW, did you have AHCI mode enabled in the BIOS ?

 

It's the power cord only and neither of my power cords in use is affected. Down in the guts of the notice, it says the power block isn't affected.

I do have one other that's crawled off into a dark corner and hidden somewhere . . . or StarFerret has taken it and hidden it in her stash.

I saw that yesterday but hadn't taken the time to look it up.

Thanks for making me look at it. *Redface

 

Thanks, TopGun.

There was nothing but the SSD and a leaflet in the box. Since I know it's a Patriot Blaze, I can probably go to the Patriot site and look for it?

I've gone through every page of the BIOS and don't see AHCI mode at all.

 

I was working from memory and you're right; it's F.43 which the BIOS shows. I'm still wondering why the BIOS version is F.43 and the Setup Utility (BIOS) says Insyde, etc. Rev 3.5.

I like the looks of #46 above. Although this problem happens every time I boot, and isn't intermittent, this may fix the problem.

However, if I'm gonna update the BIOS, I'm going whole hog. I've updated BIOS a couple or three times, but I really don't like to. *Confused

Windows 8/10 and this problem make me look like a complete newb.

 

Insyde H20 writes the BIOS - their setup utility is Rev 3.5, but the actual BIOS version is F43

Under normal circumstances, I don't think too much about flashing BIOS ... it's come a long way since the early days.

Under a preview release, I'm not sure if the flash utility will work (Speccy, SFC *Wink)

Given an older machine that has been upgraded .... I'm not sure what is available.

Do you recall an HP_TOOLS partition on the machine?

When you go into BIOS, do you hit the esc key, and if so are there efi diagnostics. I forget the exact wording, but if your machine has the HP efi diagnostics, you can use that to update the BIOS. It's easy, it makes a backup, and you can store it all on a thumb drive.

You're right though, I suggest going to F.49 instead of incremental flashes.

I'm looking into a tool from HP that might make this a lot easier. Give me some time to get familiar with the tool to see if it applies to your situation. If not then you'll have to use the utility that comes with the softpaq.

re: AHCI - HP in it's wisdom limits user access to most BIOS settings.
HP sets AHCI as the default and we mere mortals cannot change it (nor would we really want to unless a new standard comes out)

Bill
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While I download the tool and try to find documentation, I have a few questions.

1) Do you have a thumb drive, at least 2GB, you can use?

2) Do you have another machine that you can use to download to and get on the forum?

3) Do you have 7-zip? You might need it to extract the BIOS from the SoftPaq.
Download x64 installer (.msi) here: download will start when page is loaded, the download bar gives you the normal download options.
Select save, then select Run from the bar when the download completes
I exclude the language packs when I install it - your choice if you need any of the 71 languages




I might be over cautious, but I want to make sure you have what you need in case any errors occur.

I suggest that you download the BIOS currently on your machine (F.43) and the most recent (F.49)

F.43: File name:sp42852.exe [1/1, 2.25M]

F.49: File name: sp45071.exe [1/1, 3.69M]

Still have 10 minutes for the HP utility ...........
If it is suitable I won't need to type instructions for the files above. If it is not, then I will type out how to extract the files fiel the SoftPaq and where to put them.

Of course, if you DO have the HP efi (HP_TOOLS partition or EFI diagnostics on your BIOS menu) then I'd prefer to use that. Lots of preparation at this point for a relatively simple task.

Bill
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