Bootup Takes Two Tries

Ok, thanks Wynona.

Please post a disk management screen shot of the dv7-1245dx - maximize the window and close the left & right panes using the icons on either side of the '?' help icon.

Here's what my disk mgmnt screen shot looks like after I adjust the window (close the L&R panes, expand the column headings, and drag the top/bottom bar down).

I'm not certain where you got the Win8.1 install media. The tool I linked above gives you the official Win8.1 ISO - then there can be no doubt. Also by using Media Creation tool or Windows Burn image to disc there is no question.

You mentioned your product key before and it sounded as though it wasn't a normal key (perhaps one you received at a conference). I'm working off memory, so if your key is normal, then I must be thinking of another thread - sorry 'bout that (in advance). It would be helpful if you stated again where the key came from (retail disc, upgrade, other with details about the key).

Please also state whether you installed the 32-bit or 64-bit version (I'm guessing x64, but guessing doesn't help troubleshoot).

Don't ever post your key on a public forum though

The DevMgr looks good,

Bill
.

I take it that this problem started with the original hard drive and OS and continues with different drives and OS installs? If so, it's got to be the something wrong with the computer. A new battery is definitely worth a try. If possible I would also try reseating the memory sticks. Have you checked to see if HP has a support forum? It may be a known problem.

Slartybart said:

Ok, thanks Wynona.

Please post a disk management screen shot of the dv7-1245dx - maximize the window and close the left & right panes using the icons on either side of the '?' help icon.

Slartybart said:

I'm not certain where you got the Win8.1 install media. The tool I linked above gives you the official Win8.1 ISO - then there can be no doubt. Also by using Media Creation tool or Windows Burn image to disc there is no question.

I have burned DVDs and CDs with Burn CDCC for years with no problems. Believe me when I say there's absolutely no chance that I got a bad burn and that it installed. It just doesn't happen. I have used those same DVDs for installing Windows 8 on several computers and nothing like this has happened to them. Further, other than it taking two tries to boot the computer, everything else is normal; there are no problems at all.

And, BTW, I upgraded to 8.1 through the Microsoft Store.

Slartybart said:

You mentioned your product key before and it sounded as though it wasn't a normal key (perhaps one you received at a conference). I'm working off memory, so if your key is normal, then I must be thinking of another thread - sorry 'bout that (in advance). It would be helpful if you stated again where the key came from (retail disc, upgrade, other with details about the key).

I got the Windows 8 install media from a legitimate Microsoft source. My key(s) are retail keys. I'm not getting testy, because I've seen too many cries for help and when we got to the bottom of the problem, it was because the poor soul had either bought his/her product on eBay or even from a computer store. Until Microsoft limited the number of keys on TechNet, unscrupulous subscribers were even selling those! Bottom line is that I always make sure of the legitimacy of any Microsoft (or any other) software I use; I value my status as a beta tester too much.

Slartybart said:

Please also state whether you installed the 32-bit or 64-bit version (I'm guessing x64, but guessing doesn't help troubleshoot).

I always install 64 bit.

Slartybart said:

Don't ever post your key on a public forum though

Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Slartybart said:

The DevMgr looks good,

Bill
.

I thought so too. There is one more place I want to look and that's the Action Center. That thing seems to want me to fix something or other at odd times.

Well, I hope I've made my last edit to that one!

Bill, if you got it before I finished editing, and anything looks wonky, go back and read again. The edits may help a little. :)

Wow! About a month ago, I posted about this problem in the HP Support forums. I got a private HP email asking for all kinds of information on the laptop.

Well, I got onto something else and lost the email. While getting rid of old messages, I ran across it again and apologized for taking so long to reply. I gave the info and a few days later, I was asked if he could give the info to his colleagues. I said yes and today, an HP tech rep gave me a call. Well, she hadn't heard of having to boot twice either, and is handing this off to the upper echelon.

I explained that the laptop is several years old and out of warranty, and she told me that's OK, the call won't cost me anything!

It looks like I hit some kind of nerve within HP and they got curious!

Whatever the outcome of this afternoon's call, I'll be sure to post it here. This should be very interesting indeed!

Winuser said:

I take it that this problem started with the original hard drive and OS and continues with different drives and OS installs? If so, it's got to be the something wrong with the computer. A new battery is definitely worth a try. If possible I would also try reseating the memory sticks. Have you checked to see if HP has a support forum? It may be a known problem.

Yes, at this point three drives are affected. Further, it's affecting Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10.

I've said all along that there must be a problem with hardware, but so far, it hasn't shown its ugly had. And yes, I'll try the new battery if I can ever find one locally. If not, then I'll pay the $4.99 shipping fee for a $1.79 battery.

I have already reseated the RAM.

Strangely, I just spoke with a tech rep from HP who called me; details in a post just before this one. However, I will say that the rep hadn't heard of it.

Layback Bear said:

I have only had two things on one of my use to be computers that caused that kind of a boot problem.
1. A cycling power supply. Replace the power supply and that was a trial and error because I couldn't think of anything else.
2. Bios update. Went back to a older bios and it stopped.

1. I would think a cycling power supply would be inconsistent; i.e. it would boot this time, but not the next . . . boot three times in a row and then the problem might crop up again. That hasn't happened in this instance.

2. The BIOS hadn't been updated in all the life of the laptop, so there were no "older" ones to go to. Also, we updated the BIOS, hoping for a solution. The laptop didn't have this problem before installation of Windows 8/8.1.

So, are you saying you've seen this before?

Whew! I just got off the phone with the upper echelon of HP Tech and so far no joy.

He had me do basically what we've already done. He had me go to MSConfig and change things around, but that didn't work either. Then he wanted me to go back and set the BIOS to default, but I told him I'd already done that numerous times and so he decided to send it back to the Case Manager. Sigh . . .

One thing he did tell me was that Windows 8 is probably the culprit! HP has had issues with it before, so maybe that's why HP is willing to try to help me without payment.

I will be out of town for the next several days but I'll take both laptops and my tablet so I won't be left in the lurch if the dv7 goes belly up. Which I don't think it will.