Can't boot my PC now

Karl, I agree, a Windows 7 disc is the best choice if the user can get it to run. I am a little concerned about the command prompt method of backing up files, though. For the average user, this is a bit intimidating and some important files may be missed. Greg's tutorial that I linked to earlier, Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot, contains links that lead to a method for backing up data that is a little more user friendly. For convenience, I will link directly to the user friendly backup method here: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

I had said earlier that I couldn't get into safe mode, but I essentially laid on the F8 and it came up. I then tried virtually every option in Safe mode and it looks like it's going to work, then it simply reboots each time.

FaberTech said:

Press F8 continuously while the computer is booting up until you get a menu. Select Safe-mode and see Windows boots all the way. If it does, it could be a driver issue. If you can get into safe mode, try running system restore. Also, In the installation DVD, If it is sitting in automatic repair mode and nothing is happening, then try canceling automatic repair and select command prompt. Type "bootrec /fixboot" and hit enter. Then type "bootrec /fixmbr" and hit enter. Then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" and hit enter. exit command prompt and reboot your computer. If it still has trouble booting try running the auto repair again. It shouldn't hang the next time.

I first tried turning off the power & unplugging everything & holding the power button for 30 secs & that didn't work.

I then tried downloading some rescue CD's using the links you provided. The PC won't read them. The only CD/DVD that it will read is the Win 7 disc, and it doesn't work --- I tried leaving it running in the repair mode all night and nothign happened --- I still see the simply the default Win 7 blue background on the screen and nothing else except the mouse pointer/cursor.

Is there any other way to access a rescue program other than a CD/DVD? What about an external drive? She has an external drive I could hook up to my PC & download a bootable program there, then select that drive to boot from if that would work.

writhziden said:

Since it does not sound like you can get into Windows to do a repair install, may I recommend clearing all corruption from the temporary memory and resetting the BIOS hardware/software connections. This will sometimes allow a user to at least access the recovery options:

1. 
   
2. Shut down and turn off the computer.
   
3. Unplug the computer from the wall or surge protector (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
   
4. "Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station, disconnect
   cables to printers or devices such as external monitors, USB memory sticks or SD cards, headset or external speakers, mouse or auxiliary keyboard, turn off WIFI and Bluetooth wireless devices." (Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC series - HP Customer Care (United States - English))
   
5. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This closes the circuit and ensures all
   power from components is drained to clear the software connections between the BIOS
   and hardware and clear any corruption in the temporary memory.
   
6. (If it is a laptop, plug the battery back into the laptop and then) Plug the computer back into the wall. Do not reconnect any unnecessary peripherals; monitor, keyboard,
   and mouse should suffice and be the only peripherals reconnected.
   
7. Turn it on to reinitialize the software connections between the BIOS and hardware
   

Let us know if you can then get into the recovery options. If you can, follow the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

If you cannot, you will need to find a way to backup any important data. See if other boot media will work:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

PartedMagic

Rescue Kit Free Edition - CNET Download.com

Hiren's BootCD

My main concern is backing up the files that (I hope) still exist on the PC. I could reload all the programs & files later if I needed to wipe the drive clean afterward. However, I can't seem to get the PC to boot from any source yet.

writhziden said:

Karl, I agree, a Windows 7 disc is the best choice if the user can get it to run. I am a little concerned about the command prompt method of backing up files, though. For the average user, this is a bit intimidating and some important files may be missed. Greg's tutorial that I linked to earlier, Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot, contains links that lead to a method for backing up data that is a little more user friendly. For convenience, I will link directly to the user friendly backup method here: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

I can get in the BIOS setup & when I look under System Info, the IDE Master shows "Not Detected", which I assume means it isn't detecting the hard drive.

I assume this is a laptop? I wonder if you have an intermittent hard disk connection... The first thing to check is whether the hard disk is physically connected to the motherboard properly. To do so:

• Shut down and turn off the computer
• Remove the AC Adapter
• Remove the battery
• Hold down the power button for 15-30 seconds to close the circuit and drain any residual power
• Remove the panel on the underside of the laptop where the hard disk is housed
• Remove and re-insert the hard disk by sliding it away from the connector and then gently but firmly pressing it back into the connector (no screws should need to be removed to do this step)
• Replace the panel on the underside of the laptop to cover the hard disk
• Replace the battery
• Replace the AC Adapter
• Turn on the computer and see how it responds

Post back once these steps have been implemented whether the system is able to boot. Sometimes these problems can occur due to a loose connection.