Windows 7 unable to boot


  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #1

    Windows 7 unable to boot


    So I've been having boot problems for a long time, and I've tried a lot of different fixes and none of them have worked, so finally I am here to bug you guys.

    So some time last year, my netbook (Asus EEE PC 1001p) started failing to boot into Windows 7 Ultimate. The netbook will get to the loading screen (with the bar the fills with green) and then within a second it will go to black screen and freeze, and after this the only thing I can do is manually restart.

    There was nothing that I can remember that started the event; no major software changes, driver or windows updates, hardware changes. It just started out of nowhere as far as I remember.

    So Startup Repair does nothing, it will keep trying and trying for up to 30 minutes before I left it and shut it down.

    So naturally I went to reinstall Windows 7. I used the default options and it simply reverted it back to default state, without formatting or uninstalling anything. This didn't help at all.

    It sometimes boots into W7 after maybe 10-15 restarts, and it would come up with bluescreen error, as follows:

    Problem signature:
    Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
    OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
    Locale ID: 5129

    Additional information about the problem:
    BCCode: 7f
    BCP1: 00000000
    BCP2: 00000000
    BCP3: 00000000
    BCP4: 00000000
    OS Version: 6_1_7600
    Service Pack: 0_0
    Product: 256_1

    Files that help describe the problem:
    C:\Windows\Minidump\031612-15038-01.dmp
    C:\Users\Nate\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-35490-0.sysdata.xml

    Read our privacy statement online:
    Windows 7 Privacy Statement - Microsoft Windows

    If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline:
    C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt
    I googled the error, analysed my Minidump with Debugging Tools for Windows, and found that there was an error associated with a Realtec Sound Driver. Despite the fact that I reinstalled windows (and should have theoretically reset all the drivers), I deleted the driver and had windows select its own. Now I don't get the error, but I thought I might include it since it might be relevant. It didn't fix the boot problem at all.

    So I ran windows recovery tools, did a chkdsk and memory test. Both came up with no errors.

    I tried using Bootrec.exe and diskpart in the recovery command prompt, doing the following:
    diskpart
    list disk
    select disk 0
    list partition

    Here I noticed I have 2 partitions, #1 and #2. #1 is 100mb and presumably holds the boot info, is this normal? It lists this partition as "C". Partition #2 is the rest of the hdd (74gb), and is listed as "D". This confused me slightly, as I only have 1 disk listed in My Computer.

    Now I tried making each partition active, then exiting diskpart and using bootrec and doing the following:
    bootrec.exe /fixmbr
    bootrec.exe /fixboot

    When I tried bootrec.exe /scanos (or /rebuildbcd), for both partitions there was 0 listed windows installations; I would've expected that for Partition #1 but not #2.

    Anyways, fixing the boot or mbr doesn't seem to do anything. Sometimes it worked, but it may be a coincidence and just being one of those rare times that it successfully boots.

    At the moment I have been simply hibernating my computer and never shutting it down, but it isn't really a solution.

    I can boot in to Safe Mode fine, if that helps.

    Obviously my last option is to do a complete format and reinstall, but I'd rather not since it is quite inconvenient.

    Also, may be related, I've noticed since then that my computer goes tremendously slow. My RAM is always above 80% used (even on a fresh start) and it very frequently locks my computer up for 10-30 seconds at a time.

    I appreciate anyone taking the time to read this massive post. I apologize about the length, but I feel that it's better I include all relevant information that I can think of at the start so I'm not sent on wild goose chases that wastes our time.

    Thanks.
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    You can work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot - Windows 7 Forums.

    It doesn't sound like you actually got a reinstall. Did you instead run Factory Recovery from its partition or disks?

    What I would do is follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It did a full install, took 60 or 90 minutes or something; I don't think that would just be a factory reset.

    The partition is only 100mb, no way there's room for a recovery in that space.

    Do those reinstalls format the disk? As I said that's obviously a route I can take but I would rather not at this point, if at all possible.
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    That 100mb is the Win7 boot partition. It should be marked Active, then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to assure the boot files are correctly written and in order. If it's corrupted you can also try changing the Active partition to the Win7 partition. Partition - Mark as Active

    In your case with boot issues I would also clean the boot sector with Clean command before reinstall. SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

    The installer does format the install partition for you if you don't do it yourself, but I would delete all partitions if you don't clean the HD first, then partition as desired or just click Next to let installer create and format one large OS partition.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ok, despite not really wanting to, I went ahead and formatted and reinstalled Windows 7 anyways.

    I cleaned my hdd as per your instructions ("clean all" in disk part), formatted, reinstalled Windows 7. First boot was fine, and now I cannot boot again.

    Tried the bootrec.exe commands again (/fixmbr , /fixboot , /rebuildbcd) but they didn't work. Despite only having 1 partition, bootrec.exe still couldn't find an instance of my Windows installation (eg it comes up as Installations Found: 0, when using /scanos or /rebuildbcd).

    Tried checking memory again, fine.

    Let windows repair run 3 times, it "finished" and then restarted and didn't fix it.

    I'm assuming by this point some piece of hardware is failing?

    I ran a chkdsk a month ago and it came up with nothing, should I try it again?

    What other hardware checks should I run?

    Note: I can boot into Safe Mode without problem every time, is there something I can run in Safe Mode?
      My Computer

  6.    #6

    Make sure the Win7 partition or it's 100mb Boot Partition (preferred) is marked Active: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

    Then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

    If it won't start then test the HD with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.
    followed by another Disk Check from DVD System Recovery Options command Line.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 130
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Repair MBR::


    Boot From the Windows Install Disc
    The first thing you’ll need to do is boot off the install disc, and then click through until you see the “Repair your computer” link in the lower left-hand corner.
    You’ll need to choose the correct installation of Windows and then click the Next button.
    And then you’ll get to the System Recovery Options screen, where you can get to the Command Prompt.

    Repairing the Master Boot Record
    If you want to restore the master boot record, you can simply type in the following command:

    bootrec /fixmbr

    You can also write a new boot sector onto the system partition with this command (which is often more useful):

    bootrec /fixboot

    And of course, if you just use bootrec /? you’ll be able to see all the options.
      My Computer


 

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