Solved Windows Starts and Flashes Purple

Halo4

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Member
Messages
11
Location
CA, USA
Hey guys, I'm having a bit of a problem with my Windows 8. I'm currently running Windows 8 32-Bit, everything went well until this morning. I turned it on, and right before the log-on screen it started flashing purple. That's it, I couldn't do anything else, just watch the screen flash purple.

I have ran into this problem a while back and managed to fix it by using the Windows Setup and using the System Restore option but now for some reason I have no clue on how to Boot from a USB/CD.. it's not working.

I have a Compaq PC so it's a bit complicated to boot from devices. Anyways, if you guys could help me out a bit in a way that would be great!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/HP
    Memory
    1.00 GB Ram / 232 GB Mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq W17q Wide LCD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Keyboard
    HID Keyboard Device
    Mouse
    HID-compliant Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.00 mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, I think ha
You have to get into your BIOS and set up booting from the install disk or USB disk. Unfortunately, MS in it's wisdom has allowed some OEMS access to the BIOS only through the OS, so if this is what you have your are F'd. But you can try shutting it off and then restarting, hitting F10 or F2 or ESC and maybe one of those will get you in. Just keep Hitting F Keys, one of them, Usually F12 is a Boot Choice Menu.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I can get into the Menu where I can set up to Boot from something, the thing is I have no clue on how to do it. I see things like my USB Device or CD but whenever I add those it kind of restarts and doesn't allow me to boot it up. I have no clue why though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/HP
    Memory
    1.00 GB Ram / 232 GB Mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq W17q Wide LCD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Keyboard
    HID Keyboard Device
    Mouse
    HID-compliant Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.00 mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, I think ha
Can you boot into Safe Mode ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Not that I know of unless there's some secret trick to do it at the boot screen, I only get three options:
ESC (Boot Menu)
F10 (Setup)
F11 (Recovery) -- Which doesn't work for some reason which is why I have to somehow boot from a USB/CD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/HP
    Memory
    1.00 GB Ram / 232 GB Mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq W17q Wide LCD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Keyboard
    HID Keyboard Device
    Mouse
    HID-compliant Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.00 mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, I think ha
Not that I know of unless there's some secret trick to do it at the boot screen, I only get three options:
ESC (Boot Menu)
F10 (Setup)
F11 (Recovery) -- Which doesn't work for some reason which is why I have to somehow boot from a USB/CD

OK.
No Safe Mode.

Try pressing Shift + F8 when restarting.
It should take you into Recovery.
You may need to try this several times for it to work.

If that won't work,I have no other idea.

If you do get it recovered, install BootUI Tuner :

WinAero: Boot UI Tuner

Once Advanced options is checked, EVERY time you restart you will get a screen with the options to boot into safe mode or Recover.
You must press Enter to continue booting if you do not choose an option.

See picture :

bootui.png

Sorry I can't help further. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Thanks for the advice man!

Well I was able to fix my problem, I did that buy first Downgrading to Windows Vista (You can use Windows 7 too) then Upgrading back to Windows 8 using a clean install. It's good I did that because then I can remove all those useless files that I didn't need, and improve the overall performance of my PC.

Anyways, I'm good for now guys.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/HP
    Memory
    1.00 GB Ram / 232 GB Mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq W17q Wide LCD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Keyboard
    HID Keyboard Device
    Mouse
    HID-compliant Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.00 mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, I think ha
Excellent. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Ok, great, werre you able to get into Safe Mode from the Install Disk?

I've seen these purple flashes before, it was when my Media Machine had read element failure. I'd run a full disk scan using your Hard Drive MFG tools, they are usually available through the makers websites, and they are also on Hiren's Boot CD but you need to be careful running them, for instance, you cannot allow a laptop to run out of power, make sure it is plugged in and getting external power. It's my fault, because I neglected to mention that in my previous instructions to another user who had problems.

Even if your drive is apparently good, its a good idea to check for Read Element Failure at least once a month. Normally, if the drive is OK, it will say so, relieving you from having to perform a process that can take up to 6 hours to perform. I'm just used to doing this, and every time I've done it I've made sure there were no expected electrical brownouts in my area.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Ok, great, werre you able to get into Safe Mode from the Install Disk?

I've seen these purple flashes before, it was when my Media Machine had read element failure. I'd run a full disk scan using your Hard Drive MFG tools, they are usually available through the makers websites, and they are also on Hiren's Boot CD but you need to be careful running them, for instance, you cannot allow a laptop to run out of power, make sure it is plugged in and getting external power. It's my fault, because I neglected to mention that in my previous instructions to another user who had problems.

Even if your drive is apparently good, its a good idea to check for Read Element Failure at least once a month. Normally, if the drive is OK, it will say so, relieving you from having to perform a process that can take up to 6 hours to perform. I'm just used to doing this, and every time I've done it I've made sure there were no expected electrical brownouts in my area.

I wasn't able to get into Safe Mode at all, I went kind of quick when I installed Vista since I didn't want anything to stop thus making everything not work again so I just installed Vista, and once that worked out, then Upgraded back to Windows 8.

Yeah, I'll be sure to run some scans and such to make sure everything is perfect. I was looking at a video on Youtube and a guy who had fixed it said it was caused by Avast! so I'm not going to use that for safety reasons. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq/HP
    Memory
    1.00 GB Ram / 232 GB Mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Compaq W17q Wide LCD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Keyboard
    HID Keyboard Device
    Mouse
    HID-compliant Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.00 mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, I think ha
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