Windows 7 RC hangs at "Starting Windows"

Anonymous
2009-10-14T12:26:58+00:00

I have been using Windows 7 RC for about 2 months with no problems. Now when I start it up it hangs at the "Starting Windows" screen. I tried safe mode and booting from the DVD and the same thing happens. It gets stuck at classpnp.sys.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-02-08T00:54:06+00:00

I am with the other gentleman, this problem can't be solved by the rote answer of doing a system restore or start up repair . We can't even get to those options! My retail Windows 7 Ultimate install hangs on the logo/"Starting Windows" screen but no amount of waiting (even over night) gets it to move any further. When trying to access the system through safe mode I get a stop at "classpnp.sys". If I boot from the disc, try to do a system restore, startup repair, or even try just to completely reinstall the OS, it says it is "loading files" above a growing white progress bar and then just goes to a blank screen. I have spent 3 days and nights searching forums, trying to time button presses just right to access different menus, experimented with countless combinations of BIOS settings, and still have had no luck. Every tech support forum has someone who has had the same problem and the system restore/startup repair is the first and only suggestion offered followed by a whole host of people saying that it's not even possible.

I know there are a large number of people out there with the same problem, does no one have the answer? Microsoft? Please? If we can't even get the system to where I can reinstall the OS over the original to access my files have I really just lost thousands of dollars of work and pictures of my new daughter? I realize there is a lesson in backing things up in all this, but I hope there isn't a lesson about the new Windows either. I was really impressed with Win 7 so far but perhaps I should have invested in Home Server instead or even another option.

If you do create some sort of solution besides a copy/paste of the "system restore/startup repair" instructions, there seem to be more than a few people out there who would really appreciate it.

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Anonymous
2009-10-15T00:34:55+00:00

Hi,

Link to URL: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/12b2cc64-bdaf-4183-9a0d-22a73b72f6d6?prof=required&wa=wsignin1.0

My response:

Hello Tom

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Forums.

Classpnp.sys is the driver for SCSI devices.****Due to this Classpnp.sys your computer hangs at the "Starting Windows" screen.

This problem may occur in many scenarios. These scenarios include the following:

<br>• The registry is corrupted.
<br>• A System file is missing or damaged.
<br>• A device driver file is missing or damaged.<br><br><br><br><br> <br><br><br><br>You need to do a <br>Startup repair and system restore from DVD<br>to fix this issue.   <br><br><br><br>Please follow these steps<br><br><br><br><br>Startup repair:

To resolve this problem, use the Startup Repair tool. The Startup Repair tool can fix some problems that prevent the operating system from starting correctly.

You can run the Startup Repair tool by using the Windows 7 installation disc or by using the computer's preinstalled recovery options.

To run the Startup Repair tool by using the Windows 7 installation disc

If you have the Windows 7 installation disc, follow these steps to use the Startup Repair tool:

1. Insert the installation disc.<br> <br><br> <br><br>Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click<br>Start, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click<br>Restart. <br><br> <br><br>Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.
3. Set your language preference, and then click<br>Next. <br><br> <br><br>Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.
4. Click<br>Repair your computer.
5. In the<br>System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system that you want to<br>repair, and then click Next.
6. In the<br>System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair <br>to start the repair process.
7. When the<br>repair process is complete, click Finish.

To run the Startup Repair tool if the computer has preinstalled recovery options

If the computer has preinstalled recovery options, follow these steps to use the Startup Repair tool.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically. Follow these steps only if Startup Repair does not start automatically.

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from the computer, and then restart the computer.
2. Follow one of these steps:<br><br><br><br><br> <br>• If the computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as the computer restarts. You must press the F8 key before<br> the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you must restart and try again. <br> --- --- <br> <br>• If the computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to select the operating system that you want to<br>repair. Then, press and hold F8.
3. In<br>Advanced Boot Options, use the arrow keys to select Repair the computer, and then press ENTER.
4. Click a keyboard layout in the list, and then click<br>Next.
5. Click a user name in the list, enter the password, and then click<br>OK.
6. In the<br>System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair.
7. When the<br>repair process is complete, click Finish.

NoteThe problem may not be resolved after the Startup Repair tool runs one time. If the problem is not resolved when the computer restarts, follow the steps again.

Reference link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810


Systems restore:

Please follow these steps to do system restore

1. Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7<br>DVD, and then restart the computer.
2. When you receive the following message, press any key:<br><br><br><br>Press any key to boot<br>from CD or DVD.
3. Set the following preferences, and then click<br>Next : <br><br><br><br> <br>• Language to install <br> --- --- <br> <br>• Time and currency format <br> <br>• Keyboard or input method
4. Click<br>Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click<br>Next.
5. Click<br>System Restore, and then click Next.
6. Click the<br>restore point that you want to use, and then click Next. <br><br> <br><br>Note Click a restore point that will return the computer to a state where the logon is successful. After you use the<br>System Restore feature, reinstall any programs or updates that may be removed. You will not lose any personal documents. However, you may have to reinstall programs. You may also have to reset some personal settings.
7. Confirm the disks that you want to<br>restore, and then click Next.
8. Click<br>Finish, and then click Yes when you are prompted.
9. When the<br>System Restore process is complete, click Restart to restart the computer.
10. After the computer restarts, click<br>Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully.

Reference link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940765

Once you boot to the desktop, you need to update all the drivers to the latest versions available.

Hope it helps.

Thanks and Regards,

Dinesh

Microsoft Support

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-11-24T12:02:40+00:00

    wow, i disabled the ioapic in bios and blow me down i got into windows.  what a day.  still don't know if my computer is running as a quad as in minixp cpuz was sowing only 1 core, but i don't care i have windows back.  good luck all

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-24T10:33:46+00:00

    Well i am the latest member of the club. 

    Upgraded from a dual core cpu to quad core today.  Get the same issue with the difference that rather than hang it restarts (as it is set to do in the bios).  Also does this on the windows disk.  Can get into hirens boot cd and into "minixp" and look around my hard drives, run some things,save data etc. 

    Thought it was a problem with the quad core so switched back to my dual - same thing happens.  Both cpus are rated for my board, thought possibly it was a power thing. Bought a 1200w power supply (w/ crappy amps still though, but better that the old), no difference. 

    Just nuking a hard drive now in the hope i can get a fresh install on it and get a read on whether it is hardware or not or if formatting and reinstalling on my main drive will achieve anything

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-11-24T02:38:13+00:00

    The key word here is PATIENCE... lots of it!  Don't lose heart, you'll get there in the end :)

    I've just spent the last 3 hours sorting out someones laptop after they have had this issue & now it works fine.  They had the same damned issue with the thing hanging, safe mode wouldn't load, & none of the advanced boot F8 functions did a bloody thing.  Spent a few hours trawling forums & posts hearing how this has driven people nuts & none really offered a true solution, with lots of slagging off microsoft for dud software as a posting base for most forums.  You lot here seem to have dismissed the microsoft advice of Kumar Dinesh as bull after catwb's comment.  I know I did.  Just bare in mind my opening line when trying the following method:

    My scenario

    System  : Packard bell easynote TJ74 laptop (4 months old)

    OS        : Windows 7 home edition

    Problem : Boot hanging on "classpnp.sys " or "atipcie.sys ".

    Remedy:

    1. Open bios (usually F2/del) and set your pc to boot from cd/dvd drive as no.1 priority.
    2. Put in your windows 7 disc.  Boot the system up, press any key when prompted to load the disc.

    You'll get the obligatory white bar at the bottom of the screen saying 'Loading'.  After that you'll get the all too familiar windows loading screen that you're so fond of seeing hang by now... joyous to behold isn't it?  Go off, drink a beer/whiskey and watch an episode of Fringe, Lost, whatever you're into & ignore the pc/laptop for a while.  When you finally come back it'll have booted the dvd & opened the menu.  If it hasn't then your computer may just be slow, so drink another beer & watch another episode of your series.  Even if this fails & it continues to hang then at least you'll be more chilled out before continuing bashing your head against this proverbial brick wall.

    1. Set the Language, timezone & keyboard/input method on that first screen.
    2. Click repair your computer
    3. You will now have the system recovery options window in front of you.  Select the OS you wish to repair. Click startup repair & let it do its' thing.  Create a restore point when prompted, it's always a good idea.  Bare in mind that this again could take an eternity.  Remember... PATIENCE...
    4. At the point you may feel like japanese ritual disembowelment may be in order, it'll probably bring up a message saying that its' failed to repair the problem.  O well, ignore that.  A new window will open, again click startup repair.  This time it'll be over in a blink and tell you startup repair couldn't detect a problem.  Lovely!
    5. Click finish and then restart.  Now would be a good time to bash F2/Del and change bios to boot from HD instead of cd/dvd as priority.

    You should now be fixed with a little luck.  Worked for me, but as we know computers can be absolute pains in the posterior sometimes & this may not work for you.  Either way.  Good luck! or Well done... whichever it may be :)

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