Windows 7: Windows tells me it can't load because of a problem

Hi everyone. I'm a newcomer to the forum, but I've been running Windows 7 for years without trouble. However, in the last month on 3 occasions Windows won't boot and I get a message that there's a problem. I run the automatic repair option, then get a message that Windows can't do a repair. It suggests I send a message about the problem to Microsoft, which I do. When the message has been sent I click the Finish button and the computer shuts down.
When I next turn on the computer Windows boots OK and I get a message on my desktop saying that Windows has recovered from an unexpected problem.
I haven't loaded any new programs or attached any new hardware. Does anyone have a clue about what's happening? Is there anything I should do? I'm just afraid that I'll run into this problem again and Windows won't recover!

Hello Fred. Sorry to hear about the problems you're experiencing. Couple of things you can try:

If you have a restore point that goes back far enough (before the first boot problem) you could try using system restore to roll back the computer to a good working state.

System Restore

Your computer might have some damaged or corrupt system files. Run a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and restart the computer after each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

You could also look through this tutorial to make sure you're not missing anything when attempting a startup repair. In particular, it's recommended that the startup repair be run 3 times and the computer be restarted after each scan.

Startup Repair

If still no joy, one of the Forum experts prepared a couple of troubleshooting tutorials with some additional suggestions.

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

You might also consider jumping right to a repair install. It will attempt to fix your currently installed Windows 7 and try to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. It takes about an hour to run. If successful you'd have to reinstall Windows Updates which could take another hour or two.

Repair Install

Another option might be to see if your computer has a hidden recovery partition put there by Dell. You may be able to access "PC Restore" in Step 3 and return your computer to factory specifications. Everything wouild have to be set up again just like the day you bought it.

How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer | Dell

And a final option would be to use this opportunity to do a clean install and get rid of all factory bloatware that slows down a computer.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I would fully endorse all that marsmimar has said in the above post. May I just add one point. Whilst you are still able to use your PC back up all of your data onto an external hard drive or onto CD's or DVD's. There is every possibility that you will finish up re installing Windows which means formatting your hard drive with the resultant loss of all your data files. Back up while you still can!

Hi fwillemh,

'No Boot' issues may occur due to 'hard drive' failure also. In addition to the steps shared by 'marsmimar', you may also try 'Hardware Diagnostics' to check 'Hardware functionality'. You may find detailed information on 'Diagnostics' on the following 'web article': http://dell.to/OUGnqT

To initiate diagnostics, please follow the steps listed below:
- Power of the system
- Power it back on and at 'Dell splash screen' repeatedly tap < F12 key >
- Use 'arrow keys' on the keyboard to highlight 'diagnostics' and tap < Enter key >
- Please capture error message, if any

Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.