Windows boots unresponsive

I performed a clean install two nights ago and everything has been going rather smooth. I just got done downloading grand theft auto and tried installing it from steam. Something didn't seem right when the direct x installer did its thing(first time install) so I restarted. Ever since then whenever I boot into windows nothing loads. The bottom right task bar which usually has 5 things in it doesn't load. Whenever I click the mouse I get the rotating circle. Nothing.

I let windows install my graphics drivers for me (R9 290) and I was planning to install my own later tonight after I got my games downloaded and up and running. Could it have been the direct x installation that GTA did that ****ed up my system? I read some people are having problems with video card drivers and slow boots.

I've been asked to do an advanced startup and was successfully able to boot into safe mode with no problems (besides a start menu that only works when it wants) but when I try restarting from safe mode it takes noticeably longer to boot into Windows 10 and like I said above, doesn't let me do anything. I get the spinning circle whenever I try and clicking something. If I even move my mouse over the bottom task bar I get the circle without even clicking. It's almost like Windows is not responding or explorer.exe is broken.

I've restarted at least 30 times with no avail. I don't mind clean installing again but I don't want to have this happen to me again after putting 3-4 hours into getting my system up and running.....

I've googled and googled and have found no one with this problem and users have even commented on how well GTA runs on Windows 10 so I'm not aware of a conflict.

When was the last time you tested your hard drive?

ram1220 said:

When was the last time you tested your hard drive?

I haven't recently. It's about 2 years old (samsung evo) and I've never had a corruption with it.