After repair to hinge, system won't start

I just get a brief glimpse of the Windows 7 logo and it reboots. I've tried the repair option but that fails, with either the internal HD or by using the installation DVD.

I cannot boot into safe mode. The only drive I see with command prompt is x:\

I removed the battery and the HD and sent the laptop in for a repair to one of the hinges on the display. When I got it back, I put it all back together and voila... it won't boot. It won't repair. It won't boot to safe mode. I can't run chkdsk.

The only option I see right now is to remove the HD and see if I can pull off the data using an external drive enclosure. Then reinstall Windows7 and all the programs and data.

Any other options I have overlooked?

Can you still boot from your install DVD and go to the command prompt? If yes, can you access C: ? The X: drive is the RAM disk that's created in memory when the DVD boots.

nitroman84 said:

Clearing the CMOS may be worth a shot. Remove the battery and power adapter then press and hold the power button for 15-20 seconds.

Good to know. I'll give that a shot next. Failing that, I just copied off the data using a NexStar HD dock, so at least I know the HD is good. Looks like a reinstall of Win7 is gonna happen next unless I get lucky.

Corazon said:

Can you still boot from your install DVD and go to the command prompt? If yes, can you access C: ? The X: drive is the RAM disk that's created in memory when the DVD boots.

Yes, I can boot from the install CD and go to the command prompt. I have been unable to cd \ or cd c:\ back to the c:\ drive.

The correct command to cd to your system drive is actually just c: without the 'cd' or the added backslash. So I'm wondering if you just got a syntax error for mistyping the command or if it actually told you there is no drive C: ?

Good question. Been too long since my DOS days.

IAC, I am well into the process of re-installing Win7. I was surprised to find it seems to have kept all the data files (I'd already backed them up.) I anticipated a reformat and re-install, but never saw the reformat option.

Then you might have done a repair install, which isn't a clean install (but usually gets you going again just fine). :)

If it's a repair installation, it was unintentional. I intended it to be a full on clean install. I didn't choose repair installation... just install. Oh well.