Windows 7 Startup Repair

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  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    Windows 7 Startup Repair


    Hey guys,

    A year or so ago my Dell Inspiron Mini net book (1012?) had some sort of failure for one reason or another. When I restart my mini it goes to the windows error recovery screen and gives me the option to either do startup repair or start Windows normally. When I choose to start normally it boots normally until it gets to the Windows 7 blues screen where I would type in my password and log on. However, for some reason the text box where I would type my password doesn't appear and after a few seconds or so it restarts itself and goes back to the windows error recovery screen again. Just recently I decided to try and repair it by using the disk that came with my mini via an external DVD-ROM. So far it worked well enough to my knowledge and it brings me through the startup repair process and when it is finished it tells me to restart my computer to finish the repairs. Also it says that if my computer wasn't successfully repaired it will go into startup repair again to complete them (or words to that effect). When it does restart though it brings me back into startup repair. This time though the box that normally listed my operating system(Windows 7), partition size(which was 0 MB?) and location(local disk) is just blank. I didn't really know what to do so I exited out and did the whole process over again. This time I looked at the diagnosis and repair details. At the very top it said this...

    Number of repair attempts: 1

    Session details
    --------------------------------
    System Disk = /Device/Harddisk0
    Windows directory = D: /Windows
    AutoChk Run = 0
    Number of root causes = 1

    At the very bottom of the list it said this...

    Root cause found:
    -------------------------
    Repair action: File system repair (chkdsk)
    Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
    Time taken = 346852 ms
    -------------------------
    -------------------------

    I really hope this means something to someone because I don't understand it in the slightest. If it says that the file system repair was completed successfully shouldn't my mini be working? Or do I have to do something extra on top of running the system repair to get it to work fully? Again I have too many questions and I cant answer any of them myself! I need help and I know you guys will be able to help. If you need any more information or anything just let me know. Thanks so much in advance for any and all help.

    -Colin
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #2

    Can you startup in safe mode?
    Safe Mode

    Startup Repair
    Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
    Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I heard that it takes 3 to 4 times for startup repair to finish repairing completely but since my operating system wasn't listed I was in a bit of a snag. I tried loading the drivers for my hard disks like it said to do if my OS wasn't listed by using the disk titled "drivers and utilities" that came with my mini as well. There were too many files and other stuff that I didn't know how to use so I figured I wouldn't risk it and screw up my mini any further. Also I haven't really tried safe mode because it wasn't listed when restarting. The only two options are boot options(F12) and then setup I think(F2). I read that when booting you should tap F8 continuously until you get into safe mode but since it wasn't listed I didn't try it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #4

    BOOT TO SAFE MODE


    Power down your computer.

    Power up your computer.

    IMMEDIATELY—Start tapping the SPACEBAR

    When the Windows Boot Manager screen appears,
    Press the F8 key

    The Advanced Boot Options screen will appear.

    Using the down arrow key, highlight Safe Mode

    Press the ENTER key.

    In shorthand,
    PowerUp | Spacebar until Windows Boot Manager | F8 | Safe Mode | ENTER
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Win7 Won't Boot checklist


    Try booting into Safe Mode to install and run full Malwarebytes scan, then these troubleshooting steps.

    If no Safe Mode try repairing your installation using Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD which doesn't rely on possibly corrupt System files. System Repair Disc - Create

    Boot the DVD Repair console or Repair CD, run Startup Repair repeatedly after first checking to make sure the Win7 partition or it's 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred) are marked Active: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

    At this point to survey your partitions and confirm/mark Active you can switch to a GUI (picture) using free Partition Wizard bootable CD, then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR which may preclude the need to run Startup Repairs. Post back a camera snap of disk map if possible

    If initial Repairs fail, burn to CD or write to flash stick Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, boot to update and run a full scan of your HD.

    If Win7 still won't start even after cleaning up infection, run Startup Repair again repeatedly. If this fails access System Recovery Options Command Prompt to run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot, then from same Command Line run Disk Check with /r switch on all partitions.

    If you cannot locate a Win7 DVD or Repair CD, until you can find or make one try using the Repair console on F8 Advanced Boot Options accessed by tapping the F8 key at boot. Do not rely solely on automatic failover Startup Repair which starts on its own.

    If Repairs fail with 100mb System Reserved or other partition marked Active, change the Active flag to Win7 partition itself and try Repairs again.

    You can copy out your files using DVD/Repair CD by this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

    If all fails, report back for more steps or run Factory Recovery from partition or disks if you've got them: Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings
    Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link

    or use a Win7 installation DVD to clean reinstall with Product Key on COA sticker: Reinstalling Windows 7
    Last edited by gregrocker; 29 Jul 2011 at 22:32.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #6

    Greg,
    I really like the list.

    You have touched all bases.

    Anyone who follows that list should end up with a running system.

    The only suggestion I have is to change the /f to /r on the chkdsk. This will definitely increase the time to check disk but also will check the entire surface, not just where files are presently located, and mark the bad sectors so that the disk doesn't try to use them in the future.
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Karl, Thanks for noticing. I had a bit of disk-lexia using /f where I should have /r.

    Also added using PW CD for GUI picture of partitioning, since Rebuild MBR function can also preclude the need to run Startup Repairs in about half of recent cases.

    It's grown long but I think I'll maintain and link to it. Feel free to bookmark.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Alright so I tried booting to safe mode with Karl's instructions but no luck. I selected safe mode and it loaded some list and then it said "please wait" but then it just restarted itself again like before. The instructions worked like a charm but my computer just decided to stop working. I am going to try Greg's check list and get back to you guys. Thanks.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #9

    Greg, I also added a link to your post in my Tips database. It's about as comprehensive as you can get. Many thanks.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    The only problem I have with with Greg's list is that I can not access the start button as it does not let me get that far. Also I can not access safe mode because for some reason it restarts and brings me back to the windows error recovery screen. The only option I think I have to fix my computer is by using the external DVD-ROM and the disk that came with my computer which leaves me basically nowhere.
      My Computer


 
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