Cannot get past the "Starting Windows" screen, please help!!

Douglord · 03 Dec 2012

Just like the title says. I had used my computer a few days ago and it worked fine then the next time I tried to start it up it would just take me to the Windows error recovery screen or start windows but would never load past the starting windows screen. The error recovery menu helped me none whatsoever. I also had not previously created a restore point so it's not possible to restore my system to and earlier date when it was working properly. To make matters worse I cannot seem to locate any of the discs/software that came with the computer. If possible I would just do a system format because that looks like my only option after trying numerous fixes. The problem is I have important documents and lots of family videos that are still on the hard drive that I had not backed up externally. I'm assuming something crashed and this is what is preventing my computer from starting up properly? If anyone could provide me with some sort of insight on how I could fix this big mess it would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers.

Kaktussoft · 04 Dec 2012

win7 recovery environment->startup repair. Does it find any error (click view diagnostics results). 0x0 means no errors. Any errors?
win7 recovery environment->command prompt

Code:

dir  c:
dir  d:
dir  e:

Now you know drive leter of OS drive in recovery environment. Assume it's E

Code:

chkdsk/f  e:

Post results.

Can you boot in safe mode? If not, tell me exactly what's happening then

gregrocker · 04 Dec 2012

Work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start which try everything possible to start Win7 after checking for infection, leading up to if necessary rescuiing your files to run Factory Recovery or get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which steps are the same for retail and provide everything needed.

Douglord · 04 Dec 2012

I attached a photo of what it looks like when I try to use startup repair to fix it. I am also unable to boot using safe mode, the only options are to use the error recovery or to start windows normally... Thoughts?

Kaktussoft · 04 Dec 2012

boot into wi7 recovery environment->command prompt
What's the OS drive with windows?

Code:

dir   c:
dir   d:
dir   e:

Assume it's E:

Code:

chkdsk/f  E:

any errors? Repaired? If repaired ... run it again to prove errors are realy gone

gregrocker · 04 Dec 2012

Corrupt Access Control List, or permissions, is often registry corruption.

Startup Repair should have offered to run System Restore, but if not run it manually from System Recovery Options.

However first you should start at the top of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start because this can be caused by infection which may spread further if you try to restore without disinfecting first.

Douglord · 04 Dec 2012

I did chkdsk/ c: like Kaktuss suggested and it's been running it a solid 5 hours or so now and it has only processed 8479/178944... Very slow. Greg I tried going to system restore but like I said in my original post I had never set a system restore point at any time so it has no restore point to use :/

gregrocker · 04 Dec 2012

You should always have System Restore turned on so that the system is creating restore points. In fact I'd apportion as much as you can afford to have more points last longer: System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage.

You may have no choice after trying the other steps to start Win7 than to rescue your files if needed and do the Clean Reinstall. But if you stick with the tools and methods given in the tutorial you'll get and keep a perfect install. Then back it up with an image and you'll never need to reinstall again no matter how corrupted Win7 should ever become.