Freeze on boot at swirling dots unless I jam on the keyboard

GuySmily

New Member
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1
I see a lot of posts about freezes after logging into Windows 8, but I've been having issues even booting up.

My laptop (Lenovo W520) crashes immediately after the BIOS POST, when the "Windows" text first appears on the screen. Usually, two of the circling dots appear before the laptop crashes. (This is before I get to the screen to select between Win7 and Win8)

This has been an issue for me since Windows 8 Developer Preview came out. Developer Preview would almost NEVER boot, though often times I could get into Safe Mode.

Anyway, Release Preview is actually better so far - I crash a lot, but not as much as with Developer Preview. To try and get around the crash, I decided to try spamming the F8 key to get to the advanced startup menu, but instead spamming the F8 key makes Windows 8 boot successfully. This has happened on all but 1 of the times I've tried it so far.

I have the latest BIOS, tried fooling with some settings, but so far crashes are still an issue. Any tips?

Don't know if this is helpful but I'll attach the file requested in the sticky.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/Win8
I've got an older Lenovo tablet (x61t) and it boots to Windows To Go without any issues.

I'd have to suspect that there are issues with the boot files - have you tried Startup Repair?
Also, please update storage, video, and chipset drivers (set a System Restore Point)

Info on Startup Repair here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2843-automatic-repair-run-windows-8-a.html

How to create a System Repair Disc: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1Pro - Finally!!!
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung/NP780
    CPU
    Came with the laptop (i7 of some sort)
    Motherboard
    Pretty sure that it has one, but haven't checked inside the case!
    Memory
    upgraded to 12 gB from 8 gB
    Graphics Card(s)
    has switchable - Intel/ATI - Used wrong drivers, now ATI card is inop :( Will have to fix it soon!
    Sound Card
    I'm nearly deaf, so this isn't used often
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Touchscreen on laptop/32" Toshiba on HDMI (laid the Sharp TV on a mouse and cracked the screen!)
    Screen Resolution
    800x600
    Hard Drives
    One Samsung 1tB drive - 5400 rpm. Gonna switch to a 7200/10000 rpm or an SSD (if I can find $500 for a 1tB SSD!)
    - Switched to 500 gB Samsung 840 series SSD - WOW!!!
    PSU
    Why do we ask this for laptops?
    Case
    Silver with a neat Samsung logo
    Cooling
    sub-par, gotta get around to working on it soon Worked on it - still sub-par! :(
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural - the same one I've used since it orignally came out around 1995
    Mouse
    no Mouse - Trackball!!!!
    Internet Speed
    too slow when I'm waiting for a download to finish
    Browser
    Yes, I use this (Firefox mostly, w/IE next most)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
    Other Info
    I'm handsome and a snappy dresser :0)
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