Computer crashed, Windows 7 will not load

floyd71

New member
I need some help. I am no expert when it comes to computers so please bear with me. My Acer Aspire laptop crashed on me. It uses Windows 7. Start up repair does not work. I have a set of Windows 7 disks, 32 bit and 64 bit. Not too sure which one I should have used so I tried both with the same results. I have tried to re-install Windows 7 again as well as repairing the Windows 7 which is already on my computer with the disks with no luck. When re-installing it gets stuck at 'Setup is starting'. It stays like that for hours. When I try the repair option it gets stuck at 'checking for operating system' or something to that effect, also for hours on end. Anyone have any ideas about how to fix this?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
How old is your computer? Is it making any strange "clicking" or "clanking" noises?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 7750G-9657
OS
Win 7 Pro x64
CPU
i7 2630QM @ 2Ghz
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Mobile Intel HD / Radeon 6650M
Screen Resolution
1600x900
Hard Drives
Toshiba 750GB
Case
Laptop
Mouse
Logitech M305 USB Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
Whatever I can get for free. :)
I bought the computer this past May, so about 7 months old. It isn't really making any abnormal sounds at all. Just the normal boot up sounds.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
What is the origin of those "repair discs"
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000

My Computer

OS
Win 7, 32bit, Premium
I bought the discs at Staples on Friday. They are Windows 7 Professional.

I will check out the tutorials and let you know if it works or not.
Clean install lets me get to the point where it says Setup is starting. Then it just stays there forever with a rotating circle, like when a program is not responding.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
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See if you can boot into Safe Mode with networking to install Malwarebytes, run a full scan. If no Safe Mode, download, burn to CD or write to flash stick, boot and run Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

After cleaning up infection, boot the DVD to second screen to choose Repair My Computer. Use the correct bit-version - it should prompt you if you use the wrong one. Then run Startup Repair repeatedly, report back results.

If you cannot repair then try running Acer factory recovery: Acer Support: Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load.

Since your computer is only 7 months old you still have the one-year free Tech Support. Acer can help walk you through Repairs, running Recovery or provide Recovery Disks if needed.

You did not need to buy new Win7 for the Acer as you own a copy for the life of the computer. To unlock the licensed version on the COA sticker, use ImgBurn to extract the ISO from the Pro DVD for the correct bit-version (32 or 64), then run the eicfg removal tool on the ISO, burn an all-versions installer to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed. Boot DVD to clean reinstall the licensed version using these steps to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

If Win7 won't boot to install, enter BIOS setup to reset to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS.

Next test the HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which can also wipe the HD afterwards to clear the boot sector.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
 
Last edited:
Are you sure that your Windows 7 Install Disk is functional?

If yes then my suggestion would be to delete the active partition altogether with a third party boot disk if Windows 7 install disk is unable to do so. Then recreate the partition and then try to clean re-install Windows 7. This should work if some of your hardware components have not packed up.


I bought the discs at Staples on Friday. They are Windows 7 Professional.

I will check out the tutorials and let you know if it works or not.
Clean install lets me get to the point where it says Setup is starting. Then it just stays there forever with a rotating circle, like when a program is not responding.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Pro with SP1 32bit
Motherboard
Intel D845GVS1 X86-based PC
Memory
2 gigs of RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Sound Card
Realtek AC'97 Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 931BF Black 19" LCD Monitor
Screen Resolution
1280X960
Hard Drives
1. SAMSUNG SP0822N ATA Device ~ 80 GigaBytes

2. Seagate FreeAgent Go USB Device ~ 500 GigaBytes
Keyboard
COMPAQ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
iBall Laser Precise Speedster
Internet Speed
4 mb/sec
1) if its under warrenty don't do anything if you want to make a claim. Chances are you'll get blaimed for messing with it.

2) I'm guessing its your hard drive, all issue occur when the hard drive is being read, so I'm pointing my paws at that.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built by badgers!!!
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64, & Mac OS X 10.9.2
CPU
Intel Core i5 2500k
Motherboard
Asus P8z68 LE
Memory
Corsair Vengence 8gb 1866mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 770 OC
Monitor(s) Displays
2x ASUS LED 22" IPS
Screen Resolution
3840x1080
Hard Drives
240GB Crucial M500 SSD
120gb Corsair Force 3 SSD
1TB Western Digital
PSU
Corsair HX650w Modular
Case
Corsair Air 540
Cooling
Corsair H60 Push/Pull
Keyboard
Corsair K70/ Logitech G27 wheel
Mouse
Saitek R.A.T 9
Internet Speed
Too slow!
Other Info
AMD fusion E350N Home server-Windows Home Server 2011 (also made by badgers!)
2011 Macbook 2.4ghz Core2Duo, 4gb ddr3, 120gb Ocz Vertex SSD
You can also run the above tutorial after you start the install from the Windows DVD. At the screen where it asks to select your language, don't choose anything. Press Shift+F10 to bring up the cmd prompt and carry on with the tutorial. When finished type exit and you can complete your new install.


I can only get to step 3. It will not let me type any commands for step 4. Solutions?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
Hi,

So you are at the DISKPART> prompt?

What happens when you type list disk and hit enter?

Regards,
Golden
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Golden Mk. I.4
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
CPU
Intel i7 860 @ 2.80 GHz O/C'ed to 4.0GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55A-UD3R Rev.1. Award BIOS F13
Memory
16GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 @ 661 MHz Dual Channel (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA NVidia GTX 560 1024MB
Sound Card
Realtek Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Samsung SyncMaster 2494HS
Screen Resolution
1920*1080 and 1920*1080
Hard Drives
1*Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD;
1*OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD;
2*Samsung F3 SpinPoint 1TB in RAID0;
1*Samsung F1 SpinPoint 1TB;
2*Western Digital 1TB External USB 3.0
1*Western Digital 500GB External USB 3.0
1*Seagate 500GB External USB 2.0
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower QFan 750W
Case
Thermaltake Element S VK60001W2Z
Cooling
Corsair H60 Water Cooling, 2*230mm and 2*80mm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G110
Mouse
Logitech MX518
It won't let me enter anything at all
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
Mmm. Thats very odd - I've never encountered that. Have you tried GregRockers steps that he posted earlier?

Regards,
Golden
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Golden Mk. I.4
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
CPU
Intel i7 860 @ 2.80 GHz O/C'ed to 4.0GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55A-UD3R Rev.1. Award BIOS F13
Memory
16GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 @ 661 MHz Dual Channel (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA NVidia GTX 560 1024MB
Sound Card
Realtek Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Samsung SyncMaster 2494HS
Screen Resolution
1920*1080 and 1920*1080
Hard Drives
1*Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD;
1*OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD;
2*Samsung F3 SpinPoint 1TB in RAID0;
1*Samsung F1 SpinPoint 1TB;
2*Western Digital 1TB External USB 3.0
1*Western Digital 500GB External USB 3.0
1*Seagate 500GB External USB 2.0
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower QFan 750W
Case
Thermaltake Element S VK60001W2Z
Cooling
Corsair H60 Water Cooling, 2*230mm and 2*80mm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G110
Mouse
Logitech MX518
No I haven't tried that yet.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
If you have questions on how to complete the steps given, then ask them.

This is an interactive process. Once you try the steps given and report back, we will have other steps.
 
Hi Greg. I am in the process of completing the Acer factory recovery. Any idea how long this takes? Right now it is at the 'Restore Progress' section, which I am assuming takes the longest since I am attempting to erase the hard disk. I started running it about 3 hours or so ago.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire 5742Z-4474
OS
Windows 7
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