Windows 7: Power cut during a system restore

Earlier today I tried using System Restore on my PC, but while the system restore was still going on, a power cut meant the PC got switched off. Now when the PC boots up, it goes straight to the Startup Repair window, and I then get the message "Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically". After this I can access the diagnostic and repair details, or the system recovery options. I've tried going into the system restore option there, but it tells me that "no restore points have been created on your computer's system disk".



I know this is stupid and I have no-one but myself to blame, but I don't have a backup of any of my personal files. Is there any way out of this problem without having to reinstall Windows and therefore lose all my personal files? In the system recovery options I've got a Recovery Management option, which has an option "Restore operating system and retain user data", but that option is greyed out and can't be selected, the only option I can select is "Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults".

Thanks in advance.

Welcome
You seem to be very concerned about your stuff. Lets save that first then try to restore the system
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

Thanks for your reply richc46. I'm at work at the moment, but I'll try that later on this evening.

Just take your time. If you do not have a hardware problem, your stuff will be saved.

Followed those instructions and it seems to be working, I'm currently backing up all the files, so thanks very much for that

Once I've finished backing up the files, is there any way I'll be able to get the PC running again without having to reinstall Windows, or is a reinstall my only option?

Dont do anything until you are certain that your stuff is saved. Once it is saved, try to get in with safe mode. If you can try a system restore.
System Restore
If safe mode does not help. See if you can get there via Ubuntu.

I tried starting in Safe mode yesterday when the problem first occurred. I can get into safe mode, but the PC still does exactly the same as mentioned in my first post (goes into Startup Repair first of all, then tells me it can't be repaired, then if I open the system restore option in the System Recovery options, it tells me there are no System restore points created).

When you say to see if I can get there via Ubuntu, do you mean into safe mode? If so, is safe mode accessed in the same way in Ubuntu as it is in Windows?

Never used Ubuntu myself, but once you are into Ubuntu, Can you access System Restore from Windows?
If not chose the factory restore option, that you mentiond. You will have to do updates, again, etc, but your stuff has already been backed up.

From a quick search through Google it seems that you can't access Windows system restore through Ubuntu, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow after I've finished backing up the files.

Anyway, my main concern was getting a backup copy of the files on my PC, so even if I do have to reinstall Windows, it won't be the end of the world.

Thanks again for your help.

If I were you I would just go with the factory Defaults. Reading your thread again, youi mentioned that you have no restore points, anyway.