My PC locks up on start up. It sometimes takes 2 or 3 hard reboots before it successfully completes a start up. What could be causing this? How can I fix it?
- Greg W.

Starting up a computer is an intensive process that involves software, hardware, and many different areas of your computer. For that reason, problems encountered during the startup process can have several different causes.

Below are a few of the more common reasons, as well as some troubleshooting steps you can try. At the end of the article is a list of the System Mechanic tools that can help.

Software causes

CAUSE: Virus infection

Viruses can cause a whole host of problems, so making sure your computer is free of
infections is the best place to start.

SOLUTION: Scan your computer for viruses
Run a full antivirus scan of your computer. And if you don't have antivirus software installed, it is critical that you do so. iolo offers antivirus solutions in System Mechanic Professional and System Shield.

---

CAUSE: Unneeded programs automatically starting

Many applications are set to automatically start every time you turn on your PC. Some of these programs are required, but many are not needed at all and are unnecessarily clogging the startup process.

SOLUTION: Clean out the startup process
Clear out bottlenecks by removing the startup settings that aren't needed. System Mechanic's Optimize Windows Startup can automatically detect unnecessary startup settings, while the Configure Windows Startup tool gives advanced users options for more detailed configurations of the startup process.

Hardware causes

CAUSE: Computer overheating
If a computer is running too hot, it can cause the computer to lock up.

SOLUTION: Keep the computer cool
To help keep your hardware components cool, give your computer some "breathing room"—keep it 8-12 inches away from the wall and make sure the computer's vents aren't blocked. Also, keep your computer away from heat and direct sunlight.

Note: If you also hear a screeching sound during startup, the fan may be malfunctioning and may need to be replaced.

---

CAUSE: Physical errors on your hard drive

Damaged sectors on a drive can prevent Windows from accessing the files it needs to complete startup.

SOLUTION: Scan your hard drive for errors
System Mechanic's Repair Hard Drive Problems wizard will scan your drive for errors and then automatically repair any detected problems.

---

CAUSE: A failing hard drive

If your hard drive is failing, it can lead to the disk platters spinning too slowly—a computer that is restarted several times may be picking up enough speed to finally start.

SOLUTION: Replace hard drive

First, as a precaution, back up your data immediately. And before investing in a new drive, you can check the status of various indicators of drive health in System Mechanic's Monitor Hard Drive Status.

System Mechanic tools for startup problems

Tool Name	Purpose	Location in Tools
Optimize Windows Startup	Automatically detect and disable unnecessary startup settings.	Individual Tools > Increase Performance > Optimize Windows Startup
Configure Windows Startup	For advanced users, manage and control all of the startup settings.	Individual Tools > Manage System Configuration > Configure Windows Startup
Repair Hard Drive Problems	Check for drive errors and automatically repair problems.	Individual Tools > Repair Problems > Repair Hard Drive Problems
Monitor Hard Drive Status	View real-time data about the status of your hard drives, including drive temperature.	Individual Tools > Perform Diagnostics > Monitor Hard Drive Status