Windows 7 - Windows 7 Home Premium does not reach login screen - reboot cycle

I have had Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) installed on my Gateway NV53 laptop. I must note that my laptop dual boots Windows and Ubuntu 10.04 with GRUB 2 as my default bootloader (which employs a chainloader to boot Windows 7). 4 weeks ago, I began experiencing problems with my Windows partition. Everytime I booted up, the bootloader would show the Windows 7 logo, and then the computer would restart without ever reaching the login screen.

At first, I thought the issue was with the Windows 7 bootloader. So, I used the Windows 7 Repair Disk (for 64 bit machines) and from the command line, rebuilt the BCD from scratch. I even made Windows 7 the default bootloader (instead of GRUB, because I suspected maybe GRUB was being buggy), and still I experienced the same problems. I concluded that the problem could not be the bootloader seeing that I rebuilt a new one from scratch and the problem persisted. I then proceeded to remove the most recent hotfix (I had read somewhere that lately users have been experiencing issues with hotfixes offered by Microsoft) using the Windows 7 Emergency Recovery Disk (ERD), and that did not fix the problem either. I also scanned my partition for viruses and none were found.

I should also note that I have tried booting with Safe mode, Safe mode with networking, and Safe mode with command prompt, and all of these options result in the same boot issue. Furthermore, I have performed Startup repair and that does not work either.

I suspect that maybe I am missing a driver in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory which is causing my problem, but I don't know.

At this point, I have done everything I could, and I am open to any solutions offered by anyone here. I ordered the Gateway Recovery Disks but the only issue is that if I restore Windows 7 to factory settings, I fear that my other partitions (i.e. Linux) will be removed, and I don't want that.

Any help is appreciated,

Thanks!

This is the primary reason why I'm glad dual-booting is dead/dying/etc. My suggestion would be to pick an OS to run native, and virtualize the other.

Anyway, to fix your problem..if you insist on dual-booting, it sounds like might just be better off doing a clean install of the Windows partition.

Should I perform a clean install using a Windows 7 retail dvd from Microsoft or can this be done using the Gateway Recovery Disks? I know that a retail dvd will not work because my installation is OEM and came pre-configured for the hardware it was meant to run for, whereas the Windows 7 retail dvd does not necessarily adhere to these hardware specifications.

Have you tried running chkdsk /r from the Recovery Console? Maybe it's just a case of something wrong in the file system.

Indeed, I have. It found no errors.

GRUB can corrupt Windows 7 when it is on the same HD. The only safe way to avoid this is to put Linux distros on separate HD's booted via BIOS so GRUB doesn't afflict Windows 7.

Unless you want the useless factory utilties and bloatware you'll get much cleaner and better performing install by reinstalling with a retail Windows 7 installer and your Product Key from COA to another HD or wipe your HD first: re-install windows 7

Might be a good time to have a friend look over your shoulder. The clean install from the DVD would be you're best option, because it isn't preloaded with all the crap from a recovery disc. Yes, you have to put the effort in to get the drivers from Windows Update or Gateway's website, but most of us who us an OEM system, wipe it clean right away anyway. Whoever told you that it wouldn't work is giving you ridiculous advice.

While on the subject, there's no such thing as a retail DVD, etc. A Windows 7 disc is all the same...only full or upgrade, and x86 or x64. The license type is determined by the key that's entered...not the disc used. I normally wipe out family and friend's OEM systems and use my base disc to install the OS...and then activate with their OEM key.