ASUS EEEPC 1005 startup repair loop-hardware issue?

[TheDraggon]

Problem...
1 yr old (no physical damage) n450, 2gb ram, Win 7 netbook was stuck in startup repair loop. Would boot to safe mode, and safe mode w/ networking. Now after attempting an F9 factory system resore it gets to loading drivers, then fails, says it has to restart then fails again.

Things I've done...
System restore to several point-all successful, no change in problem
chkdsk- no problems
Windows memory diagnostic- no problems
Tried repairing with a full Win 7 disk in an ext DVD drive. Failed.
Windows

I'm thinking a hardware issue...but where do I start?

My wife LOVES this little machine, so any help is much appreciated!!

 

[TheDraggon]

A little more info... I changed back to original 1gb stick. No difference.

I'm going to try some hd check utilities run from the ext dvd drive, and see what's up.

In your opinion what is the best/easiest hd utility?

 

[TheDraggon]

Dont know if anybody can offer some help, but I ran Seagate's diagnostic tool and the HD is fine.

Anyone know of a general hardware diagnostic tool ?

 

[IGemini]

Check msconfig, make sure safe boot is not checked.

 

[Schadenfreude]

A little drastic, but have you tried wiping the drive and starting from a fresh install altogether? Or what about booting the system from an external HDD/USB stick?