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
    2015-10-09T14:00:43+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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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-10T13:03:27+00:00

    I work in a school system with over 16.000 computers and get very fustrated with all the useless information posted and responders more interested in receiving points. I am offering my experience on this issue and hope it may solve someone's problem.

    It has been determined that if a Windows 7 computer is shut off without the normal shutdown process, the computer will display the symptoms above.

    A Windows 7 computer that is manually powered off will usually restart to the “Startup Options” screen with the “Start Windows Normally” option preselected.

    The computer will then display the “Please wait..” message and continue with the rest of the power up sequence after an inordinate amount of time.

    It is being evaluated how, why and by whom the computers are being improperly powered off.

    It also needs to be verified that the CMOS setup for all computers are configured for the power button to do a Windows shutdown instead of power off.

    WORKAROUND

    The following sequence will return the computer to a usable condition without the need to reimage the PC:

    • Power down the PC by holding the power button in for a few seconds
    • Unplug the network cable
    • Restart the PC
    • When the PC starts and determines there is no network connection, it will bypass the processes used for a network connection and configure the computer to start without a network.
    • Shutdown the computer using the “Start” menu, in order to have the computer run the normal shutdown processes.
    • Reconnect the network cable, power up the PC and the system should continue to the “Logon” (Ctrl-Alt-Del) screen
    • The computer may or may not take a long time for the first log-on depending what else got corrupted.
    • Usually, once a logon succeeds, all logons afterwards respond in a normal time

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-04-29T15:15:29+00:00

    Worked great until today :-(  same problem started all over again.  In safe mode now only way to get in.  Ugh.

    Will try uninstalling Veriface now.

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