Windows Startup Repair doesn't launch

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  1. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Windows Startup Repair doesn't launch


    I started my computer this morning and it went straight to a black screen where I have to pick from two options:Launch startup repair or Start Windows normally. If I start normally, it just restarts my computer and goes back to the black screen. If I launch the startup repair, it goes to a screen with a Windows-style background and stays there doing nothing. From what I've seen online, there should be a window where I can choose to repair or reinstall Windows, etc. but I don't even get to those options.

    I tried starting in safe mode and it looks like it's going through a long list of system files, then it stops and restarts my computer and it goes back to the black screen. Every solution I've seen online requires that pop-up window, which I never get to.

    I also tried booting from my recovery discs and they just take me to the blank Windows background again. My computer was fine last night when I shut it down and I haven't downloaded or installed anything in ages.

    Any help would be appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,573
    Win7 Ultimate X64
       #2

    Sounds like you may have suffered a hardware failure preventing machine from running or completing any tasks, you could try some bootable hardware tests on your RAM and hard drive to show if they are operating correctly
    RAM - Test with Memtest86+
    Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure using something like SeaTools | Seagate

    Have you tried entering bios ? does all your drives etc still show ?
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    Once the hardware checks out work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I don't know what entering BIOS means.

    I haven't done any if those diagnostics yet. When I do try to run in safe mode, it runs through a list and always stops at the same place. Its a system32/DRIVERS file...i don't know if that means anything. Also, last time I tried to run it in safe mode, I picked the networking option and after it ran through the list, there was a blue screen of death that flashed, way too fast to even read anything on it.

    I honestly don't know when I'll be able to get on another computer to do the diagnostics. I was really hoping there would be a magical solution. Thanks so much for your help so far.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Anything you don't understand you can ask back or just google it.

    To enter BIOS setup, tap the key given on first boot screen for that, usually ESC, F1 or F2. If you'd filled in your System Specs in bottom left corner of post we can help you better.

    Once there see if HD is detected in BIOS under storage listings. Set DVD drive to boot first, then HDD, save changes and Exit.

    Then you really need at least your Win7 DVD or Repair CD to do the repairs. DVD is provided in Step 5. Run Startup Repair repeatedly with reboots. It should offer to System Restore but if not run it manually from the Repair options list.

    You have Ultimate? How is it activated?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Ok, I got the BIOS thing. My dvd drive is already the first boot device and the HDD is second. I have a recovery disc, but when I boot from it, it takes me to the same screen that the system repair does...and just sits there. From screenshots I've seen online, it should bring up a window for me to initiate a repair or reinstall. I never get this window.

    As for system specs, I'm not sure what's important. I'm only mildly computer literate. I have a Dell Studio XPS 9000, Intel Core i7-920 processor (8MB L3 Cache 2.66 GHz), 9 GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz, 1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM. I have Windows 7 Ultimate,
    64 bit. I don't know what you mean when you ask how it's activated. I ordered this computer from Dell and it came with Windows on it. I made recovery discs whem I first got it and have used them before (I'm no stranger to re-installing. I try to do it regularly. Last time was last summer.)
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Is the HD detected in BIOS setup?

    Are you referring to a System Repair Disk? Click the blue link to see.

    Do you have a Dell Reinstallation DVD? It has the Repair options.

    If you cannot boot any bootable disk then reset the BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS and try again.

    Try rebooting and tap the F12 key vigorously to get a Boot Menu. Run Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the .

    Report back answers to every question this time.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Ok...i think the problem has been found. I hit F12 at startup and ran the Dell Diagnostics thing...the PSA. It came back with an error:

    Error Code 0142
    Msg: Error Code 2000-0142
    Msg: Hard Drive 0 -self test unsuccessful Status: 79

    Its continuing the tests and will take about 30 minutes. Once that's done, I'll check if the HDD is detected in BIOS, though I imagine that error message means it won't be (sorry for not answering that before...i misread the instruction). Should I still check it after this test is complete?

    The system repair disc...I'm not exactly sure what I have. I got my computer and it prompted me to create the discs. I always thought it was a Recovery Disc. I use it to restore the computer to factory settings. I just checked my files and I do have a Dell reinstallation DVD. I haven't tried that yet...i did this diagnostic first. Should I even bother now?
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    The first thing you were to do is check if HD was detected in BIOS setup. If not then you're just wasting your time. Change out the cables, double check the connections, run the maker's HD Diagnostic on it if it can even be detected by that, then replace it if necessary.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Ok, I'm in BIOS but there's nothing there about "storage listings". There is System Info where it lists my processor type, CPU Speed and some memory stuff. There is nothing there about a hard drive. There is CMOS features which lists SATA1 through 5...Hard disk is SATA3. none of the other options have anything that looks like it would mention a hard drive.
      My Computer


 
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