Windows 7: Your computer was unable to start

Hi everyone,

I forgot to plug in my computer and the battery died. When I tried turning it back on, it takes me directly to:

"Startup Repair"
"Your computer was unable to start
Startup Repair is checking your system for problems
If problems are found, start up repair will fix them automatically. Your computer might restart several times during this process.
No changes will be made to your personal files or information. This might take several minutes." Followed by a loading bar that says searching for problems.
After leaving this on for a while it gives the system restore option, however this just takes me back to the previous screen. I cannot cancel the Start up repair and I can't access safemode. After searching for over an hour the only solution i've found so far is reinstall the OS, however my computer did not come with the OS disc and I have school related files on the computer that I can't lose.

I am using a Toshiba Satellite A505-S6981 T6600 That's 9 months old with windows 7, Specs (To my limited knowledge) say:
C2D 56600, 4GB DDR3
16", 400 GB HD, DVDRW
Windows 7 P 64 Bit, 80211bgn




I would appreciate any help you could give on the subject and if you need more information please ask (and preferably tell me how to access it, I'm not very tech savvy). Thank you!

Can you remove the battery and try starting using just the AC power cord?

I just tried removing the battery, however it just goes to the same screen. This is a video I found of the message I get if that helps any YouTube - Windows 7 Failed to start

Just trying to fully understand your situation so please bear with me. When you use the power button to start your machine is there any delay before you see the "Your computer was unable to start" screen? If yes, can you access safe mode by immediately and continuously clicking the F8 key as soon as you push the power button?

There is a delay, and it takes me to the screen i would normally see before my login screen. I can access the BIOS settings, but not safemode. It gives me the options to "Restart windows normally" or "StartUp repair (recommended), however both take me to the StartUp repair.

When you power up try clicking the F5 key immediately and continuously (instead of the F8 key.) I'm hoping you'll see a screen like this:

I've got that screen (From pressing F8 though) with the added option of Repair your computer, but that takes me to the same screen.

Try using last known good configuration. Give me about 30 minutes. I'm going to try to research some Toshiba troubleshooting manuals

Thank you very much, I tried the last known good configuration however, it still brings me back to the same startup repair.

I'm stumped. If one of the more knowledgeable forum members has any ideas I hope they jump in with a suggestion. If your comp is still under warranty (I think Toshiba has 1 yr) you might consider contacting their tech support:

Contact Toshiba

Sorry I couldn't help you solve this. If you do find a solution, please post back so everyone can benefit from your unfortunate situation.

Added thought: If you can borrow someone else's install disk (has to be the same as what's installed on your machine) you could still do a repair install of the operating system. You won't lose personal settings, files, folders, documents, photos, etc. Or possibly a system recovery.

Repair Install

System Recovery Options