Did you install anything else apart from Java ?

Download the attached Fixlist.txt to the same location as FRST
Run FRST and press Fix
On completion a log will be generated please post that
Then try a normal boot

nothing else comes to mind… i was in class all morning and into the early afternoon… came home, did my typical internet routine… just browsing the web. watched some nba. the only thing i can think of out of the ordinary was the java.

here’s the fixlog. still stuck on starting windows screen upon normal reboot.

Hmm that was after fully removing Avast, methinks there may be a hardware problem here somewhere

I will have a rummage around

hm i think you’re right. i just d/ced all my peripherals (usb and hd) and it booted. i will connect one at a time and let you know what the culprit is.

My guess would be the HD. You need another copy of Avast Ooops

Let me know if you find the culprit. If it appears to work then it may be an intermittent fault on one of the USB ports

looks like it’s my 1TB storage drive.

Are you able to plug it in after the computer has started with no ill effect ?

yes, it appears that is the case

i’ve run a malawarebytes scan on all drives. didn’t find anything. reinstalled avast and currently running full system scan.

well, after system scan and bootscan, things seem to be working. i don’t want to jinx myself, though, because i have some pending windows updates and i understand sometimes those can mess things up… will do the updates and restart after i do what i need to do for the evening.

It may be worth leaving the external drive unplugged until after the computer has booted

it is actually an internal drive, but i see your point. it booted fine after the windows updates with the drive connected, so maybe w/e the issue was was resolved in the bootscan. regardless, i will keep what you’ve said in mind in the future. any other ideas for diagnosing a specific problem? thanks again for all your assistance. i really appreciate it!

The only thing I can think of is to check the condition of the ribbon and ensure it is fully connected