I can't boot and no restore points work...

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  1. GMX
    Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    I can't boot and no restore points work...


    I have a HP Windows 64 Ultimate computer that gets stuck loading drivers (according to the ntbtlog.txt log) resulting in 7 just rebooting at the Windows logo splash screen.

    I was using IOBIT's Advanced SystemCare trying to speed up a slow computer. For whatever reason, this program, which is usually fine, slowed down to a crawl while installing some security updates. After the security updates were completed, I no longer had any sound so I tried a System Restore - which did not work. System Restore still shows multiple restore points, but none of them work. All my important data and files are thankfully unaffected - but I just can't boot to 7.

    What I've tried thus far in general terms (none of which has been successful):

    1. Reboot
    2. System diagnostics (hard drive and memory are shown as passed)
    3. Startup repair (which fails and shows an 'An unspecified error occurred..' 0x8800700b7 and 0x880070002)
    4. Windows RE System Restore (which states that it's restoring files and eventually also shows an 'An unspecified error occurred...)
    5. At Windows RE Command Prompt, chkdsk f/r (which just stopped at Stage 3 security descriptors) and on subsequent attempts has not worked - just stating that the disk is locked and then when I unmount the disk it still doesn't work.
    6. At Windows RE Command Prompt, sfc /scannow (which reported that it could not work due to pending repair task)
    7. Booted from DVD with a Windows Ultimate 64 Upgrade disk (which is all I have), try a repair install (using Upgrade option) where I get a compatibility report that I can't upgrade because I booted from the Upgrade DVD).

    I never had any significant issues with this computer before. I don't have a disk image (which was stupid on my part) because I just assumed that restore points always worked (which they had for me before this incident). Anybody have a solution that might fix Windows 7? I can think of only 2 options left - neither of which I really want to do - getting a full version of 7 or upgrading to 10. I'm trying not to completely reinstall Windows if at all possible. I've been using Windows since 3.1 and I've never had an issue like this.
    Last edited by GMX; 20 Nov 2017 at 18:13.
      My Computer


  2. GMX
    Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Some other ideas I've tried (which also did not work) since my initial post:

    8. Hitting F8 and using the Last Known Good Configuration option (I've also tried booting to Safe mode).
    9. Overwriting the current registry with a prior (backup) registry (from a suggestion for stopping a Windows 7 boot loop).

    Still no luck.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,746
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
       #3

    Hi GMX, welcome to the Forum.

    Your problem may well have been caused by IOBIT's ASC which has caused a lot of problems. Windows 7 does not need programs that "Tune up" or otherwise & they should not be used.

    You may have a failing HDD.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,097
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #4

    Hi GMX,

    from the repair consul please run the following

    del c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml
    del x:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml
    sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ offwindir=c:\Windows

    Roy
      My Computer


  5. GMX
    Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ranger4 thanks for the advice. it might be a hard drive issue. I don't hear any clicking though and I've never had any issue with this drive. I mainly use ASC to clear the registry as it's the only program I've ever found where I could actually see speed improvements. I've tried CCleaner and other registry cleaners but ASC is the only one I've found that seemed to work. I could reformat the drive and then reinstall 7 to speed up my computer, but it's such a pain.

    torchwood thanks for the help. I ran the two delete commands, but the sfc command but I get the error message 'Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service'. I tried sfc /scannow just to test the command and received a message that no integrity violations were found (or something like that). Also should I boot Windows 7 from my hard drive (C) or from my Windows 7 Upgrade disk? I tried both methods and received the Windows Resource Protection error in both cases.

    If I don't respond immediately to any post I'm busy with something (such as eating or something like that). Otherwise I'm focused on trying to fix this Windows 7 mess.
    Last edited by GMX; 21 Nov 2017 at 11:09.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,097
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #6

    Hi GMX,

    Not exactly sure whats now available to you.
    The commands you used should have cleared the way for a normal boot

    What message do you now get....
    and can you now access your system restore


    the results from sfc - no integrety violations found confirms the pending repair has been cleared.


    Roy
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,097
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #7

    Hi GMX,
    for further backup
    this is a link for W7 SP1 Ultimate X64 English, (full not upgrade)
    https://software-download.microsoft....c18dd4a8a4de2b

    either burn it to a DVD or use this tool to create a bootable USB
    Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

    Roy
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,097
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #8

    Hi GMX,

    IF you have to go the clean install route
    BEWARE it has to be done slightly differently

    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Help Forums

    Hopefully once you have created the DVD/USB tool you can try the Repair install option

    Roy
      My Computer


  9. GMX
    Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks for all the assistance Roy. I was out and just got back. I'm going to review the /sfc method in a little more as it should work. I did come across a few options that I'll try to get rid of the Windows Resource Protection error so that sfc will work. I've always been able to access the various Restore Points - it's just that none of them ever work.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #10

    IOBIT's Advanced SystemCare has cause many members to do a Clean Install.

    What ASC does, know body is really sure. Anything from IObits is highly questionable.

    Jack
      My Computer


 
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