Windows 7: Can't boot - SSD shows up in BIOS but not in the recovery mode

Hello everyone,

My Zenbook crashed yesterday when I clicked OK to a "LiveUpdate" pop-up on my desktop. Guess it was from Asus but I'm not sure, as the pop-up didn't contain any text...

When I boot it gets to the (pulsating) Windows logo - after that I just get a black screen with a movable cursor.

None of the safe modes works - just black screens with "safe mode" written in every corner.

I've made a bootable USB with Windows 7, and that boots up fine to the install/recovery mode - sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't get that far, it just goes to the black screen even though I'm certain it boots from the USB. Weird.

Anyway, the recovery mode can't find any system images, and I can't see the SSD when I try the 'load the drivers' option. HOWEVER, the harddrive DOES show up in the BIOS, but only IF the USB is in the machine?



I have an option to reinstall Windows (I think...), but I would very much like to safe some files before the drive is formatted...

Help please!!

Do any keyboard shortcuts work when you're left with a black screen and a lone cursor?

Ctrl+Shift+Esc would be the best to try. Does it show the Task Manager? From there you might be able to start Explorer or other programs.

Failing this, can you clarify a little bit? Booting in to Windows 7 Recovery shows that there isn't an operating system to repair, is that correct? Are you using the right Recovery CD/image for your version of Windows? Windows 7 x86, for example.

Have you tried booting in to safe mode with Command Prompt?

Don't stress. It looks like you're able to recover your files, even if you have to resort to a LiveCD or something.

"E=LuzTeTT;2150786]Do any keyboard shortcuts work when you're left with a black screen and a lone cursor?[/QUOTE]

Just tried, and it's a negative. No shortcuts working. But actually, it restarts after some time (I just realised, sorry!!) and boots up directly to BIOS.

Yes, that is correct. I'm using a Windows 7 x86 install file, as my system is 64 bit.

Safe mode with command prompt isn't working - it gets stuck at "disk.sys" when loading the Windows files, followed by a screen with "safe mode" written in every corner and black screen. After that it reboots directly to BIOS, like normal mode.

Edit:

Just for clarification:

1. I boot it up and go to BIOS. The 128 Sandisk SSD is shown as Boot Option #1.
2. I boot it up and let it go to the Windows logo. Then a black screen and it reboots directly to BIOS. This time, the SSD doesn't show as a boot option. "

Try use a Windows 7 x64 recovery disc/image, or press F8 prior to the Windows 7 pulsating logo to boot in to your Windows 7 recovery partition. This is leading me to think that your SSD is faulting, or your system is losing connection to it. Maneuvering through your BIOS management, do you see any mention of your SSD whatsoever after the initial reboot? Please follow the following guide closely to ensure that your Operating System files are intact.
SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

No, after the reboot I don't see the SSD mentioned anywhere. But if I turn it off and boot it up again, it shows up as boot option #1.

Yeah, just tried that. "List volume" only came back with one result which was the USB I plugged in. I guess the SSD is dead/not connected properly