Acer won't start, Black screen / Windows failed to start

Hi,

Can someone please help me? I'm a first-time forum user

I've got an Acer Aspire laptop here that has decided to stop loading/starting up.

When I turn the power button on:
- I can see the Acer logo screen (and also get into setup if I press F2)
- The cursor (_) blinks once or twice
- Then the screen just goes black/blank and stays that way

Twice (when I have left power on at the black screen), I have eventually seen this Windows Boot Manager message (maybe after 5 minutes each time):

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware of software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1.Insert your Windows installation disc and restart the computer.
2.Choose your language settings, and then click "Next".
3.Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.


Unfortunately, I do not have the Windows installation disk.

I have tried using a System Repair Disk (on DVD, burnt from another laptop with same OS)....but got stuck when the broken laptop didn't detect or couldn't read the disk.

I also tried the Alt+F10 system recovery, but after 20 minutes on the "Please wait a moment..." screen, I gave up and turned the power off.

Please help. Thanks.

Hello noob and welcome to Seven Forums.

Can you get into Safe Mode via the Advanced Boot Options menu? If yes, you can check for damaged or corrupt system files by running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two in the SFC tutorial.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer after each scan.

Safe Mode

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Another possibility from Safe Mode is to try rolling back your computer to a date/time prior to this problem occuring using a system restore point.

System Restore

If the above desn't help, one of the Forum experts prepared a troubleshooting guide for failure to start issues.

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions.

I've tried each of them, and still no luck unfortunately So I've resorted to requesting the previous owner to send down the OS CD.....fingers crossed.

--------------------------------------
From memory:
- Unable to get into Advanced Boot Options (and then Safe Mode) no matter how many times I hit F8.
- Tried the Windows Defender Online boot CD (from troubleshooting guide), but was unsuccessful in getting the computer to recognize (and boot from) the CD.

Cheers again.

If you'd tried all of the steps as stated then you'd know that the WIn7 installer is provided in Step 5 of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start along with tool to burn to DVD or write to flash stick. Solving these types of issues requires utter thoroughness, reading everything and asking back questions until you understand fully every step, then reporting back results in full.

How are you burning the WDO CD? Rightclick on ISO to Burn or Open With WIndows Image Burner. Boot it by tapping the Acer F12 key. Does it prompt to "Press any key to boot disk?" If not then it is not downloaded or burned correctly. Try another bootable AV.

Reset BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS. While in BIOS setup confirm the HD is detected.
Unplug all other disks and peripherals.

I have the same problem on acer TravelMate 5760G,now I use safe mode with networking.If I find solution,I promise I will comment here :)

Hi,bro I have solved the problem.First of all,go to system restore by pressing F8 and then Repair Your Computer,then go to system restore,choose "working restore point" and wait for error message,yes,you may get error message about unsuccessful process,but don't worry,restart your acer and then boot with safe mode[with networking or without it] and when you see your desktop,you will get a message about successful system restore then open CMD AND TYPE sfc /SCANNOW,when you finish,restart your PC.It's the way that I know for fixing the problem,I have tried it 5 minutes ago and I am here with "normal boot".If I helped you and you don't have any problem,it's better to update your windows 7 for latest system safety,but remember the one thing,when you go to windows update uncheck the files which have this number 1033 at the end of the code,by this way you will get rid of an activation of your windows again :) I hope my tips will help you :)

Why would you need to "get rid of activation for windows again" if you are only running System Restore?

Is this the same version of Win7 which came preinstalled on the Acer? If so then it will reactivate with no problem using the Product Key on COA sticker if ever needed.

gregrocker said:

Why would you need to "get rid of activation for windows again" if you are only running System Restore?

Is this the same version of Win7 which came preinstalled on the Acer? If so then it will reactivate with no problem using the Product Key on COA sticker if ever needed.

If he has unofficial windows,he has to do as I said,if it is not so,you are right :)

What "unofficial Windows?" Are you talking about illegal cracks to activate Win7? Criminal activity is not supported here and discussion of it can get you banned.

Tell your friend to use the Product Key on the COA sticker which came with the Acer to reinstall the licensed version as often as he wants: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I tried all, and each time either got stuck or no results. I have now given to a friend of mine (much more technical than me), who's initial thoughts were that it's a likely hard drive issue. When I get it back, I'll post revelations/results.