Windows 7 stuck on "Please Wait.." screen

Anonymous
2009-11-14T03:45:34+00:00

I recently upgraded my Acer Aspire laptop from Vista to Windows 7 Home Premium with no problems and it worked fine for about five days.  However, after restarting my computer after several automatic updates failed to install, the computer appeared to start normally , but became stuck on the Windows 7 Home Premium page with the "Please wait..." and revolving circle.  I left that running overnight, but it remained the next morning.  I then tried all the F8 options.   The "Repair Your Computer" option as a regular user indicated there was no problem, but when I tried starting the system it ended up in the "Please wait.." spiral. (I also tried to use the Administrator option, but it indicated the password, which I had successfully used earlier, was incorrect; not sure if this is related to the problem.)  All the other F8 options brought me right back to the "Please wait..." screen.    I then tried to boot from a repair disk, but this again resulted in the "Please wait..." screen.   As I can't get to the start menu, the system restore and other options are not available.   Any thoughts?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2010-09-01T21:24:00+00:00

Hello,

If you have this problem please do the following (even if you have the hotfix installed, which I have not found to work well or consistently):

A: If you get the "Please Wait" screen and DO NOT have another Windows PC/Server:

  1. Power off the PC hard (hold the button, pull the cord, etc.)
  2. When you power on the PC it should present you with a Safe Mode screen, Select "Safe Mode with Networking"
  3. Log into the PC
  4. Go to the Admin Tools "Services" section
  5. Locate the following services and disable them: Windows Error Reporting, Network Location Service, Network List service
  6. Power down the PC gracefully (Start, Shutdown, etc.)
  7. Restart the PC, wait a minute or two (no more)
  8. You should be presented with a login screen.

B: If you have another Windows PC/Server (network connected)

  1. PC must be on a DHCP connected LAN (needs to be network connected)
  2. Find the PC IP address/name
  3. Go to the other PC, open the Admin Tools "Services" section
  4. Select "Connect to another computer" when right-clicking the "Services" icon in the left column
  5. Locate and disable the following services: Windows Error Reporting, Network Location Service, Network List service
  6. Power down the PC gracefully (Start, Shutdown, etc.) if you can, power switch if no other choice.
  7. Restart the PC, wait a minute or two (no more)
  8. You should be presented with a login screen.

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Anonymous
2009-11-30T21:30:49+00:00

Istanbul94,

    If you are still having this issue then you should boot to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.  Then run the

System File Checker.

Let us know the results.

Mike - Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-08T23:58:10+00:00

    I also havw. Toshiba laptop (toshiba satellite) that is having these problems, i tried all of the fixes in this thread and none worked, PLEASE HELP!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-09T14:00:43+00:00

    Granted this was asked 5 years ago but. According to the fix it is related to a startup item/script locking up and conflicting with AppLocker and Windows Error Reporting.

    Reboot in safe mode

    In Pro versions, opengpedit.msc (windows key+R)

    Unbranch Windows Settings

    Click Scripts on the left pane

    Click Startup on the right pane

    Delete all items found in the Scripts and PowerShell Scripts Tabs

    Close Local Group Policy Editor

    Next Open msconfig (windows key+R)

    On the General tab enable Selective startup and disable only the load startup items option.

    On the Services tab,  disable (uncheck) Windows Error Reporting Service

    Optionally disable Network Location Awareness

    Optionally disable Network List Service

    Put a check in hide all microsoft services on the bottom left

    Then Disable (uncheck) all of the listed services

    Close msconfig and reboot normally (or when prompted)

    If the issue still persists check task scheduler

    Open taskschd.msc*(windows key+R)*

    Click Task Scheduler Library on the left pane

    On the right pane, right click and disable all listed items

    Close task scheduler and reboot normally.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-16T18:49:08+00:00

    Hello,

    If you have this problem please do the following (even if you have the hotfix installed, which I have not found to work well or consistently):

    A: If you get the "Please Wait" screen and DO NOT have another Windows PC/Server:

    1. Power off the PC hard (hold the button, pull the cord, etc.)
    2. When you power on the PC it should present you with a Safe Mode screen, Select "Safe Mode with Networking"
    3. Log into the PC
    4. Go to the Admin Tools "Services" section
    5. Locate the following services and disable them: Windows Error Reporting, Network Location Service, Network List service
    6. Power down the PC gracefully (Start, Shutdown, etc.)
    7. Restart the PC, wait a minute or two (no more)
    8. You should be presented with a login screen.

    B: If you have another Windows PC/Server (network connected)

    1. PC must be on a DHCP connected LAN (needs to be network connected)
    2. Find the PC IP address/name
    3. Go to the other PC, open the Admin Tools "Services" section
    4. Select "Connect to another computer" when right-clicking the "Services" icon in the left column
    5. Locate and disable the following services: Windows Error Reporting, Network Location Service, Network List service
    6. Power down the PC gracefully (Start, Shutdown, etc.) if you can, power switch if no other choice.
    7. Restart the PC, wait a minute or two (no more)
    8. You should be presented with a login screen.

    In response to a Resolution A. Step 2 - After selecting safe mode with networking I was taken to System Recovery Wizard. I could not login to continue with Steps 3 -8. Please advise.

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