Windows 7 does not boot (at all)

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    Windows 7 does not boot (at all)


    hello, i'm new here.

    this is my problem:
    i cannot boot into windows 7 or reinstall it.

    Every time I boot my computer up, it goes straight to windows recovery. It displays:
    Startup Repair
    start Windows Normally.

    this computer originally had windows vista OEM installed, and has had a bunch of problems (various BSODs, i can list them later since i don't have them on hand), especially startup problems. i've gotten different BSODs from time to time. This has been going on for a year.

    So I decided to upgrade Vista to Windows 7. Windows 7 worked fine at first, but then it started to display problems again (blue screens, random shutdowns and reboots).

    I decided to do a clean install on my main partition (i have a separate partition for misc. files) and then my computer seemed to be okay. After a while, I started to experience random reboots and maybe a BSOD or two (that i wasn't able to record). I was still able to use system recovery from the Windows 7 disc, but recently it stopped working altogether.


    in summary, i've tried...

    - booting into safe mode (it loads drivers, but it hangs)
    - booting with the official windows 7 install disc (it used to work-- now it doesn't)
    - booting with windows 7 installed on a usb drive
    - booting with the repair cd that i made when my OS was still functioning.

    booting from the discs and usb drive gets me as far as the "loading windows" screen, but the four colored lights that make up the windows logo don't show up. the screen just hangs.

    NOTHING WORKS.

    my last resort is to wipe the entire hard drive clean and reformat it using Knoppix (live linux OS). i've backed up all my files, and all i have to do is wipe it clean. but before i do that, i'd appreciate any sort of help. i've gone thru pages and forums, and almost all of them always list "use the windows install dvd!" of course, it's not one of my options right now. i know reinstalling windows could probably solve this, but i just can't right now...


    i've also tried installing ubuntu, but couldn't due to a "kernel panic." i'm not too familiar with linux systems, so i just let it go.

    some questions:

    - is it possible that my MBR is corrupted? i haven't received any error codes about it, though, and i don't know too much about it.
    - is my hard drive failing? it's not making any sort of disturbing noise that i can discern (yet).

    thanks in advance. any help is appreciated!
    ---


    also, relevant specs (according to the bottom of my computer) because i forgot. this computer was purchased in 2007.

    HP pavilion m9200t cto

    windows 7 64 bit
    intel core 2 quad q9300
    6gb DDR RAM
    Nvidia GeForce 8500GT
    750 GB 7200 RPM SATA 3GB/S HDD (SeaGate ATA ST3750640AS)
    Last edited by kittenSandwich; 09 Jul 2012 at 04:17. Reason: i forgot!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    This sounds like a hardware problem, memory or hard drive. Before you do anything else, test them and see.

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

    Test memory
    :
    Download Memtest86+ (you want the 2nd one Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)). Unzip it then create a CD from the iso file using your CD burning software. There is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do this easily.

    Boot the CD and run for at least 3 complete passes unless it shows errors sooner than that.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks. I'll try these out and post my results.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    ok, here's what I got so far:

    I used the hard drive diagnostic tool and it came up with no errors (did it twice to make sure). I attached a screenshot of my result.

    Windows 7 does not boot (at all)-imageuploadedbysevenforums1342051231.824886.jpg


    Currently I am running the memtest. I honestly don't know how to decipher this (still need to read up on it) and the fact that it shows all errors has me a little worried. Screenshot is also attached. Any help is appreciated.

    Windows 7 does not boot (at all)-imageuploadedbysevenforums1342051425.145649.jpg
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    That Memtest screenshot doesn't look good. Check the following to see if you can isolate the bad memory stick/slot:

    RAM - Test with Memtest86+
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #6

    The part you want to pay attention too in the link F5ing gave you is: Part 3: If You Have Errors

    Tells you how to go about isolating which memory module is causing the problem.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Thanks for mentioning that Ztruker. :) Sometimes I assume a little too much!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #8

    Have you tried eating a turkey sandwich and hitting the computer with a baseball bat?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ok, an update: i hate to resurrect this thread two months later, but i've done the memtest 86+ tests with all my sticks, in all the available slots (4). no errors for any of them.

    today i reinserted all the sticks and started my pc up. it would load the "windows loading" screen, and then it would go to the black windows startup recovery screen. i was able to use startup repair, but then it would just restart during loading a recovery point. don't know what to do now... any there any other things that i can test? i'm considering bringing the pc into a shop on monday.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    acostaworld said:
    Have you tried eating a turkey sandwich and hitting the computer with a baseball bat?
    shut up, mike. LOL
      My Computer


 
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