Windows 7: Windows 7 won't boot

ok, didn't realize the recovery console was could boot from the repair disc, as there's no direct option for that.

Anyway, my disk check brough up many lines



ChKDSK verifying files (stage 1/3)
256 files processed
File Ver. completed
0 large file records processed
0 bad file records processed
0 EA records processed
0 reparse records processed
CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2/3)
328 index entries completed
index verification completed
0 unindexed files scanned
0 unindexed files recovered
CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3/3)
256 file Sds/SIDs processed
Security descriptor ver. completed
36 data files processed
Checked file system and found no problems

Then a breakdown of disk space

failed to transfer logged messages to event log with status 50

It says it found no problems.

Unless you want to continue attempting repairs using tutorial, copy out your files to an external HD, USB flash stick or secondary HD, then Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 while deleting all partitions during the install.

Ok, the thing is though, when i go to "Load Drivers" to attempt the copy/Paste, i'm presented with various drives like c, D, E, etc.

But when i try to go into C: (or any of them for that matter) it's empty??? The screen says i have 71 gigs left on C (of 100), but when I try to open it, it's empty

Try Paragon rescue disk; change drive letter; recover data or Hiren’s BootCD 15.1 XP explorer. There are also tools on Hirens to test your HD including maker's diagnostics and Partition Wizard Surface Scan.

Download, rightclick to burn to CD with WIndows Image Burner, boot to rescue the files.

For flash stick solution, use Hiren's ISO written to stick with Universal USB Installer with Hiren's selected in dropdown menu.

You can also pull out your HD and plug it into another PC to copy the files out. I would run a good AV boot scan from Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot first however.

Please fill in your System specs or at least let us know the PC model.

but should i try to find out why it's saying C is empty in the first place?

Before i download the above stuff, what do those even do? I mean, i can access the recovery console like you mentioned, it's just that when i open C, instead of seeing folders titled "users" and such, it just says it's empty...

What will the above things do to rectify that, exactly?

It will give you a second or third chance at finding your files. Something may be awry with the Repair disk or WinRe. I don't want to say your files are gone without a second opinion.

I don't think it could c be a virus that hides files since they should show up in Boot Mode anyway, but I'd also like a second opinion on that from our Security Experts. In advance I'd also run one of the bootable AV scans you find when you start at the top of the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

Well, i haven't got a blank cd or a stick with enough space on it for the either of those option, nor do i have a hard drive to put my files on anyway. i was merely looking to see how much space my files took up.

i don't think my files are gone, after all, when I right click>properties, it says there's stuff on it.

So if i manage to burn a copy of the Paragon thing (or the linux Usb installer thing), do i just boot with that instead of the System Repair disc? and then, hopefully, be able to see my files in C?

again, no CDs or anything at the moment. I'm mostly confident I don't have a virus anyway, as i had mcAfee and Kaspersky AV running

MucAfee is one of the worst problems we see. To have it running with another AV is not recommended and may be causing your problems. Replace it with MSE, which is one of the tools recommended in the Clean Reinstall tutorial.

Have you considered trying to run Samsung Recovery from its partition on the HD? It may have a choice to save your files first.

If not then try the other methods mentioned to rescue your files. If they fail do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 following the steps closely to get a perfect reinstall. When you boot into the installer to install as shown in Clean Install Windows 7 I would delete all partitions at Steps 6/7, create new as you desire, then format before install.

Will keep this in mind in the future

yes. That was the first thing I tried when this first happened. i got the splash screen with a "please wait..." and then nothing. it was just stuck on that screen.

EDIT: Tried it again, and it actually went through the menus but when i got to basic restore (the item that allows you to restore while leaving files intact) it says Windows Drive/Partition could not be found.

i will try the Paragon, I just wanted to know how to use it or what it's like so I'm a little ahead of the curve when i get it. Try to figure it how to use it so i don't have to come back and ask about it.....can we even be sure that it will work?

I'm assuming I boot it and it will let me see my files, which i can then drag/drop (or copy or similar) to an external storage?

Regardless, i will do a clean reinstall no matter what, and then just put my files on it if i can hopefully save them

So does anyone have any ideas on why it's telling me C is empty (while at the same time telling me it's about 20% full?), and if/how it's possible to get my files off of it?

I ran chkdsk, and it says there's no problems. So why am i being told C is empty, and that samsung recovery cannot find the drive or partition? How do i get my computer to show the files that i have on C?

Can someone help?

EDIT: Did some searching on Google and found that maybe my files on C: are set to "hidden" which is why they aren't showing up. unfortunately there is no way to change this from the recovery console....so what can I do?