windows 7 freezes in safe mode startup

Running Windows 7, 64 bit.

A couple of weeks ago my computer crashed and then hung at the windows logo. I did a system restore which worked for a few days. Then it did it again.

I tried using a Windows disc to repair the installation, to no effect. However I was able to do another restore to even earlier to try and isolate the problem. After it overheated a week later, it refused to start again. The only common factors to all three crashes are overheating (it's been doing that the whole year I've had it) and an automatic Windows update.

This time, however, I cannot start it in any way, not even to do a restore. It even hangs in safe mode, both from the hard drive and when accessing from the windows disc, so I can't go in and delete the update. Won't even let me do a re-install of Windows, as it freezes before the option is available.

Any advice would be appreciated, even if just to tell me that it's dead. It's still in warranty, but not sure if 'Windows killed it' is accepted for refund/replacement.

 

Look up the Ultimate Boot CD. See if it can run that, it has a bunch of diagnostic programs like hard disk testers and memory testers. If it runs, you can eliminate hardware issues and blame Windows. If it can't run UBCD then RMA it and use your warranty.

 

First off: thanks for a response, and for trying to help.

It looks like you have to go into Windows to be able to use it though - that or the notebook isn't recognising it as a bootable disk. Will try running the on-board HP diag tools again, see if I missed something the first time.

 

No, the UBCD is a standalone system that launches from the CD. It boots before Windows.

 

Looks like I didn't burn it properly. Will try again and report back tomorrow. Thanks for the help thus far.

Edit: yup, user error with the disk. Re-did it, ran several checks and found it was the hard drive playing up. Seems to noww be fixed, thanks again for the help. Much better than sending it off for a few weeks.