Windows 7: Boot failure

When I try to turn on my comp. I get a message saying boot disc failure,
insert system disc and press enter.
If I switch off and try again it usually works o.k. occassionally I have to try several times. What is wrong, and how do I fix it. Also, is it on the brink of complete failure?
raymo

If you have an install disk or a recovery disk I would try a startup repair.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Although it's automated in Startup Repair, I'd run separately Disk Check

Then run the HD maker's diagnostics/recovery extended CD scan to clear the HD: HD Diagnostic

thankyou gregrocker &nitroman84. I tried my recovery disc. A screenfull of icons appeared[about 100], mainly different language files. None of the icon names seemed related to startup repair,so I tried a diagnostic icon, but then had to shut down the comp. as I got an urgent call. When I tried the recovery disc again later
I was informed that there was no new material on the disc, which suggests that the
files are now somewhere on my comp. but I cannot find them anywhere.
now what? As you have probably gathered, I am not very comp. literate.
raymo

You need a Windows 7 Installation DVd or Repair CD to run Startup Repair
System Repair Disc - Create

If you don't have one, try restarting and tap F8 to access Advanced Boot Options then look for Repair my Computer, choose it, see if it finds an installation to repair, accept it, if Windows 7 doesn't start boot back in to run Startup Repair repeatedly from Recovery Tools list. Try also System Restore from the list.

Report back results.

If repairs fail you can copy out your files using DVD or REpair CD: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then run Factory Recovery from its partition at boot, or using the Disk which you apparently have - did you receive it with computer or make it, and if so are you sure there was only one to make?

What's important is that you BOOT this disk: How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

If it won't boot by setting CD drive first to boot in BIOS, try using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first screen.

If it still won't boot then it apparently won't run or requires files on the HD.

Either order Recovery Disks from manufacturer or find a Windows 7 installer for your version to clean reinstall following these steps: Perfect Reinstall

thankyou both. I eventually got into startup repair; tried it twice, but it said that it was unable to fix the problem.
After stumbling around the BIOS for a while and running all the tests it suggested, I gave up, as I am afraid that
I will accidentally disable something that I shouldn't.
raymo

You need to run startup repair at least three times, as mentioned in the tutorial.

Please go back to the top of the thread and try everything suggested, step by step.

If you have questions about a step then ask back so you know you are doing it correctly.

Once you have completed all of the steps given and reported back the results we will have more steps.

This is an interactive process and we cannot help you if you report back that you did one step incorrectly.

I really do appreciate all the help I have received, but I have given up. When I run the recovery disc I
get all sorts of things come up that I don't know how to do. Last time I started my comp. it went into
recovery mode and kept loading files, even though the rec. disc was not in the drive. I could not find a way out of rec. mode, so shut down again. Started up again, still in rec. mode and loading all the files again. Eventually
found a way out after 45mins, and that's me done. When and if I can no longer get it to start, I'll get
someone to fix it.Thanks again.
raymo

In all honesty, it does sound as though your hard disk drive is about to give up on you.

As you don't seem to be having much success trying the suggestions offered I think you should consider replacing the hard drive as soon as possible.

If there is anything of importance on the old one you need to transfer it to an external drive or DVD-Rs as soon as you can, because it'll be a lot more difficult if and when the drive dies on you.