Changed msconfig setting. Booting win7 now impossible.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Changed msconfig setting. Booting win7 now impossible.


    Hello there,

    I changed the maximum memory in the msconfig boot settings (STUPID STUPID) and now windows won't boot under any mode. Underneath is everything I know about the situation.

    Yesterday I noticed that my 8GB RAM wasn't being used fully (only 3,96GB). CCleaner detects 8GB. My BIOS detects 8GB. But my OS said only 3,96 was usable. So I looked up why. I saw a 'solution' somewhere, which said:
    - go to msconfig > boot > advanced options.
    - check maximum memory
    - fill in amount of memory in laptop (8192)
    - apply and reboot

    The person said this worked for him. For me it did the following. When rebooting I got to Windows Error Recovery, and I haven't been able to boot windows since. Whatever I try, I always get a black screen and then the laptop reboots after 2 seconds. I've tried:
    - Starting windows normally. > black screen then reboots
    - Launching startup repair, windows loads files (grey process bar) > black screen then reboots

    If I go into the F8 advanced boot options menu:
    - Safe mode (with or without networking or command prompt) makes it load the windows files from system32, then halfway through the list > black screen then reboots
    - Last working configuration doesn't work either. > black screen then reboots

    I've tried booting from my USB drive, which functions as a win7 DVD (my CD/DVD drive is broken), with no results. It starts loading files (grey process bar), then as soon as the 'starting windows' GUI appears > black screen and reboot.

    The person in this thread below had a similar problem. Although the solution involved booting in safe mode with command prompt. Which is an option that doesn't work for me.
    https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...r-windows.html

    Is there any way I can reset my msconfig back to normal without booting windows? Is there any way of getting to a command prompt without safe mode or a boot CD/USB?

    Regards,
    William
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello William, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You might see if you may be able to do a system restore at boot, and use a restore point dated before this happened to undo it.

    Hope this helps for now, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Shawn, and thanks.

    I've tried this option, but it involves booting with a repair/installation disc, or booting in safe mode. Which both don't work.
    I just get a black screen and then it reboots.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,346
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #4

    FractalFarmer said:
    Hello there,

    I changed the maximum memory in the msconfig boot settings (STUPID STUPID) and now windows won't boot under any mode. Underneath is everything I know about the situation.

    Yesterday I noticed that my 8GB RAM wasn't being used fully (only 3,96GB). CCleaner detects 8GB. My BIOS detects 8GB. But my OS said only 3,96 was usable. So I looked up why. I saw a 'solution' somewhere, which said:
    - go to msconfig > boot > advanced options.
    - check maximum memory
    - fill in amount of memory in laptop (8192)
    - apply and reboot

    The person said this worked for him. For me it did the following. When rebooting I got to Windows Error Recovery, and I haven't been able to boot windows since. Whatever I try, I always get a black screen and then the laptop reboots after 2 seconds. I've tried:
    - Starting windows normally. > black screen then reboots
    - Launching startup repair, windows loads files (grey process bar) > black screen then reboots

    If I go into the F8 advanced boot options menu:
    - Safe mode (with or without networking or command prompt) makes it load the windows files from system32, then halfway through the list > black screen then reboots
    - Last working configuration doesn't work either. > black screen then reboots

    I've tried booting from my USB drive, which functions as a win7 DVD (my CD/DVD drive is broken), with no results. It starts loading files (grey process bar), then as soon as the 'starting windows' GUI appears > black screen and reboot.

    The person in this thread below had a similar problem. Although the solution involved booting in safe mode with command prompt. Which is an option that doesn't work for me.
    https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...r-windows.html

    Is there any way I can reset my msconfig back to normal without booting windows? Is there any way of getting to a command prompt without safe mode or a boot CD/USB?

    Regards,
    William
    Check the following thread for some information that may be useful;

    Changing msconfig without windows [Solved] - Msconfig - Windows 7

    Read down the list of posts until you get to the one from Sam_23 "before I did anything,..."

    HTH
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 32
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #5

    Try booting into the command prompt using a windows disk
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #6

    Alpha said:
    Try booting into the command prompt using a windows disk
    He can't boot to a disk to.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 32
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #7

    Did you try reseating your Ram.
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Have you tried accessing System Recovery Options by tapping the F8 key a boot, to run System Restore?

    Otherwise you'll need to get the Win7 bootable installation media or System Repair disk to boot. Failure to boot disk is almost always a user failure.

    But make sure you have media that is bootable in another PC. If not create new media from Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

    Follow these steps:
    If disk fails try the flash stick method also provided in tutorial.

    If both fail then reset the BIOS to defaults: How To Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS)
    Last edited by Brink; 05 Mar 2014 at 12:48. Reason: embedded video
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    remove Mem sticks
    boot
    shutdown
    insert memory sticks
    boot
    ???
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #10

    ESARE said:
    remove Mem sticks
    boot
    shutdown
    insert memory sticks
    boot
    ???
    Uh, what are you trying to say? If you have a issue, please start another thread.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:45.
Find Us