startup repair failure

Hello,

I've recently been having problems with my lap-top, the thing started to shut down on its own accord. It usually resumed ok, and the programs I was using before the crash, opened up again afterwards.

Today something different happened, I was updating my ipod (i've recently installed itunes), it crashed - shutting down automatically. When I tried to reboot, it did a start-up repair, and told me it couldn't locate the problem.

You only get the option to click finish, after which the pc shuts down. Trying to start it up again repats the cycle. I'm running windows 7 Ultimate x64, which was an upgrade from windows Vista. I've still got the install disk and i've tried the repair utilities, with no joy.

I've tried to boot to the last known good config. and also in safe mode but this just repeats the cycle.

I've been looking around the house for any sort of documentation on my product key but can't find that anywhere, and can't get it from the computer because I can't get in. I've seen online I might be able to do reinstall withought wiping all my files etc, but will i need the product key for this?

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

JD

Hello James, welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

This may help: How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

For better help with problems, Can you post your specs.
Filling out System Specs
System Info - See Your System Specs
Dont Know What Hardware You Have..??
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

Thanks for your swift responses! I will look into those suggestions this evening.

Does anyone know hoe to obtain the licensing details from the laptop? I was thinking about doing a repair reinstall, but need the product code to do so. Will Microsoft divulge the info?

I haven't created the recovery discs (I know, idiot)

Cheers

JD

Oh, the laptop is a HP Pavillion

Theres a rainbow sticker at the back of the laptop with a key on it. Use that key to activate online, failing that via phone activation.

Activate Windows 7 Online

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

You can still create the recovery disks.

Thanks Bill2

The computer came with Vista installed, which I upgraded to windows 7 so I don't think the product key on the back is relevant.

The laptops only just over 2 years so i'm wondering if its still under warranty (I bought it from pc world??)

Sorry, my bad, you did mention in the first post you upgraded from vista. Then whats the problem? the product key would be on the package if you bought full retail or upgrade or oem.

Well there's the problem...

I've been turning the house upside down and can't find it - I seem to remember it came with hardly any packaging just the disc, its a student copy so was thinking they may have sent it to my old uni email acc.

It's unlikely that i've thrown it out (i'm pretty stupid, but not that stupid...) but have an over exuberantly houseproud girlfriend, so who knows?

If there's a way of getting it off a pc that won't boot up, or Microsoft (they must retain a copy of the licensing/product key??)then i'll be back in business. I've emailed microsoft and explained my dilema so i'll wait and see what they say.

JD

Well one way would be to boot from a flash drive and launch Produkey from the command line (that you have copied to the flash drive).

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create (Just follow the first 16 steps).

ProduKey - Recover lost product key (CD-Key) of Windows/MS-Office/SQL Server (make sure you download the 64 bit version at the bottom of the page. Use the commands explained on the page).

You can also run the popular magical jelly bean key finder from the command line.

http://www.fir3net.com/Windows/3rd-P...keyfinder.html

Also, one of our members SIW2 has created pe's that you can use. IIRC it includes produkey. You'll need to download SIW2's 64 bit PE, then make an iso, dump the contents to a bootable flash drive and boot from it.

http://cid-b0a22789320e3247.office.l...owse.aspx/FU11

(admins, this link is from SIW2's posts in the VIP area which would be inaccessible to the OP, hence posted. Please delete if inappropriate).

Have a look at the email you recieved from your Retailer.