Laptop Won't Boot, can't get past Initial Windows Screen

SlasherIT said:

Make sure you go with Ubuntu and back up your stuff first!!!

Right, it's downloading as we speak.

Kaktussoft said:

don't understand anymore. Can you enter recovery environment or not? No recovery CD? Borrow on

I haven't been able to understand things for a while now.

From what I can tell, messing with the partitions before has made it so that I'm not even accessing the OS... or something like that. When I hit f8 for the advanced options, there is no longer an option to repair the computer and reach the recovery environment.

Okay, so I've encountered a problem with putting ubuntu on my flashdrive. I followed the directions on the site to do so by using usb universal installer. Very early on in the install, it gives me an error:

"An error (1) has occured while executing syslinux.

Your usb drive won't be bootable..."

Any idea what the cause of this would be?

Use your Win7 DVD or Repair CD to copy out your files and to do ALL repairs: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

If the autostarted Startup Repair told you REpairs may take up to an hour it is because it needed to do a Disk Check. Then if it failed it likely cannot complete the disk check. This is a strong clue. Download the ISO, burn to CD and Run the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to diagnose and possibly repair HD.

Next run on all partitions a Disk Check automated by Startup Repair run from DVD/Repair CD, from the Repair CD's System Recovery Options Command Line, or using Partition Wizard CD given later.

You also need to check for infection. Download, burn to CD or write to flash stick then boot to run a full scan with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

Again boot the Win7 Repair CD to run Startup Repair to see if it finds issues. If not, boot into Repair Command Line again to run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

You have now checked your HD, checked for infection and checked System Files. Next check your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress test.

We need to see a picture of your HD. Boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD take a camera snap showing drive map and all listings, post back using paper clip in reply box. The 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred) or Win7 should be marked Active - if not rightclick to Modify>Set to Active. Then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply, reboot. You can also check File System (Disk Check) with repair boxes checked.

If you needed to mark either partition given Active and Rebuild MBR doesn't start it, then boot into Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to rewrite the System Boot files. If these steps fail on 100mb partition, change the Active flag to Win7 partition itself and repeat all steps - your System Reserved partition could be corrupt.

If all of these fail, then run Full Factory Recovery from its partition or Disks you made or order from manufacturer's Tech Support, or find a Win7 installer for your version to do a superior clean reinstall following these step to get a Perfect Reinstall.

Clean reinstall is always the best option as far as I'm concerned and I provided detailed steps for that, however OP specfically stated he wanted to avoid it so I gave him detailed Repair steps.

Another data recovery option freeware is Paragon Rescue CD.

To write Win7 installer or any Linux distro easily to stick use Universal USB Installer

I just deleted the repair CD on my usb to make room for ubuntu, so I guess that's out the window... is there a difference in using a different OS to back up the files?

I've tried a lot of the things listed before:

Disk Check sometimes tells me that it's found no problems, other times it tells me that some files can't be read. either way, it never fixes whatever problem I have. After a reboot, the same chkdsk comes up and finds the same problems... sometimes more. This was earlier on when my problems first started though, chkdsk no longer comes up automatically.

I've done a deep system scan before for viruses, just not with the program you recommended. I used Vipre Rescue, which said I had no viruses or malware.

SFC /scannow refuses to run for me. I've even tried doing it offline, but even then it decides to give me an error which isn't explained.

I've also done memtest hoping to solve the problem, but it said everything was alright.

I'm willing to give Partition Wizard bootable cd a try, but at the moment I have no access to a blank CD. For the time being, I'm going to attempt backing up my files with Ubuntu. Hopefully this works out okay.

Edit:

SlasherIT: Yeah, that was the problem. I've got it on the usb now, and the Windows 7 install iso is currently downloading. Looks like it's going to be a while, a 3 GB download. (Hope the disk I borrow is big enough)

As stated when Disk Check is unresolved the next step required is running the maker's HD diagnostics extended CD scan, followed by Disk CHeck again to see if it resolves. This can actually repair the HD as well as file system.

I have never heard of Vipre Rescue scan. We recommend MS Standalone System Sweeper which can write to flash stick. It's important to know if you're infected because the System is never suspected to be lost or a losing proposition unless seriously infected - then I would consider bailing to a Clean Reinstall. Other problems can be fixed.

You can get 5 good quality CD's or DVD's on the wall rack at Walgreens for $2.

You're welcome.