W7 Safe Mode and Boot failure!

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 7
       #1

    W7 Safe Mode and Boot failure!


    I'm brand new to this forum and PC knowledge fairly basic so apologies if info is vague !

    PC i980 CPU: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 Motherboard: OS Windows 7.

    New desktop ran fine for first few hours. Possibly as the result of HP8500 Printer installation, PC will not boot beyond "Starting Windows" screen - black background and MS flag logo. (Re-starts offering Auto-repair which it cannot complete)

    Blue screen briefly appears citing "Memory Dump to Hard disk" etc

    Auto-repair function cannot cure problem nor can PC boot in Safe Mode.
    PC will not boot from W7 installation disc.

    Startup Repair delivers following message:-

    Problem Signature
    Problem event name Startup Repir Offline
    Problem Signature 01 6.1.7600.16385
    Problem Signature 02 6.1.7600.16385
    Problem Signature 03 unknown
    Problem Signature 04 21215624
    Problem Signature 05 AutoFailure
    Problem Signature 06 16
    Problem Signature 07 Cf4

    OS Version 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
    Local I.D. 1033

    Also received was this message:-
    Root cause found
    Unknown bug check: Bugcheck F4
    Parameters = 0x3, 0xfffffa80095e9b30,
    0xfffffa80095e9e10,
    0xfffff80003391540.

    Can anyone offer advice and is a full re-installation of W7 the only solution?

    Many thanks,

    Glanton
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,840
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
       #2

    I think you will probably need to do a re-install ... also, you need to start getting into the habit of imaging your drive in case something like this happens again in the future ... restoring an image is a lot easier and quicker than reinstalling your entire OS...

    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,705
    Win7 x64 + x86
       #3

    Can you boot from any other disk (other than the Win7 installation disk)?
    Is the disk one that you made?

    To select booting from the CD/DVD drive on a Gateway, press F12 (F10 on older models) as the first boot screen appears.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    usasma,

    The only disc I have is an OEM supplied with the PC I had custom built.
    Unfortunately when the builder installed the software, the System Restore function and Imaging were not activated and I forgot to check for this.

    I can access the option to upgrade or re-install W7 from the CD provided I change the BIOS boot order
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,705
    Win7 x64 + x86
       #5

    Without the ability to get into Windows, and without some advanced Windows knowledge (to remove the HP drivers and edit the registry outside of Windows - and we're not even sure that that is the problem) - there's not much that can be done to help here.

    I'd follow Tews' advice. If you've got stuff to backup - slave your hard drive to another system and copy it over there. Then wipe the hard drive clean and install Win7 fresh.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    usasma and Tews,

    Thank you both very much for the advice which is greatly appreciated.

    How do I re-format the hard drive with only the W7 OEM disc and would it knock out any motherboard drivers or settings set up my the PC builder?

    Thanks again.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 845
    Windows 7 - Vista
       #7

    Glanton said:
    usasma and Tews,

    Thank you both very much for the advice which is greatly appreciated.

    How do I re-format the hard drive with only the W7 OEM disc and would it knock out any motherboard drivers or settings set up my the PC builder?

    Thanks again.
    Windows System Restore in Windows 7 systems is enabled by default. Did you try system restore after entering recovery (booting with the Windows 7 OEM DVD into recovery; look for "Windows System Restore" option)?

    If no-go on Windows System Restore, you will have to reinstall the OS, which will most likely result in the loss of all files. After reinstall, check for a folder named windows.old - if present it will contain [most of] your current installation.

    Regards. . .

    jcgriff2

    .
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    jcGriff2

    I can access System Restore which does offer various restoration points, however a "Confirm disks to restore" window reminds me to "enable system protection on this drive" (Drive C).

    Unfortunately I forgot to confirm that this option was set when starting factory installed OS two days ago and cannot click or enable this function from that window.

    Thanks for tip regarding 'windows old'. (There weren't any personal files installed - only Norton, Office, Acrobat and an HP printer. I'm just concerned that I might upset motherboard and chipset drivers installed by the PC builderif I find a way to re-format the hard drive.

    Thanks for your help..
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 845
    Windows 7 - Vista
       #9

    You will need to reinstall mobo, chipset, etc... drivers if Windows 7 doesn't install them itself. Windows 7 has many legacy drivers on hand to get you through an OS reinstall. The OEM version Windows 7 DVD may even contain them - put there by the manufacturer. The system certainly is of no real value to you as it is now, so I would follow the advice of the others - wipe the drive and reinstall Windows 7.

    For a complete format, use KillDisk --> Active@ Kill Disk. Hard Drives Eraser. Free Download.

    Use ImgBurn to burn KillDisk ISO to CD --> The Official ImgBurn Website

    See what happens during the installation, which should take < 1 hour of SYSTEM time. The worst that can happen is that you have to do it again should you find that drivers are needed during the installation. I myself have never had to install drivers during a Vista or Windows 7 installation. I certainly cannot say that no one does. I do go to Intel for chipset and wifi updates, NVIDIA for video, Realtek for Ethernet, etc... but usually they come in via Windows Updates, but not all.

    When you reach Desktop, allow Windows Updates to come in immediately.

    www.update.microsoft.com

    Validate your OS and Office at the Microsoft WGA site --> www.microsoft.com/genuine

    I would also caution against the use of NIS/ N360. Do a search of this or other forums and you will find them littered with BSOD/ other problem threads where a 3rd party firewall like the one found in NIS, N360, KIS, McAfee, etc... is the cause of the system trouble.

    I would suggest Microsoft Security Essentials --> http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

    That is your call to make, of course.

    Any ? - please post back.

    Regards. . .

    jcgriff2

    .
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #10

    I have used NIS/N360 for years with no problem, I would suggest you stay Norton.

    The NIS 2011 beta is looking nice.
      My Computer


 
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