Start-up failure, freezes in every option

revrunner · 20 Aug 2013

So this laptop that I have has been failing to startup for about two weeks. Whenever you try to start it normally, it freezes while it's loading the files with the windows logo, I remember it freezing on a file in safe mode, but it's stuck in trying to do startup repair so I can't safe mode it. The thing with Start-up repair is that no matter how long you run it (ran it 13+ hours) it will continue to "search for problems", to the point where I just shut down. Is there anything I can do or do I need to re-format (which there are important files on this computer, so i'm hoping not.)

archer · 21 Aug 2013

Hi revrunner, Welcome to Seven Forums

Please post complete system specs for better assistance.

Startup failure can be caused by lots of issues.

Does it get hot?
How much ram have you got onboard?
How much unused harddrive space have you got?

Enter the BIOS of your laptop, you should find the facility to run tests on both the Hard Drive and Memory. Post back with the details of any error messages.

If both the above tests pass, try the following.

From the Start Menu, open All Programs, open Accessories, right click the Command Prompt and select 'Run as Administrator'. In to the prompt type the following command and hit enter.

sfc /scannow ( note that there is a space between sfc and the / )

Let the process complete, then type exit and hit enter.

Next, click the Start Menu, click Computer, left click Local Disc C once to highlight it, right click Local Disc C and select Properties. Click the Tools tab and then click the button to 'Check the Drive for Errors'. In the following window make sure both boxes are ticked and then click Start. Part of this process will require a restart to check the drive.

Try testing the memory using Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool as this will perform a more comprehensive test than the one run from the bios menu. Run 3 - 4 passes.

Keep us posted.

revrunner · 21 Aug 2013

The thing is, I can't get to the desktop at all, so all the steps after the tests are no help to me.

alphanumeric · 21 Aug 2013

If its a SATA drive you can take it out and slave it into a desktop PC to recover your files. Then put it back in the laptop and try doing the factory restore option. If you know the manufacturer of the hard drive you can go to their web site and hunt up a diagnostic utility to test the drive for errors. You should be able to find one that will make bootable media to run the diagnostics from. If the drive is error free its likely just file corruption that's messing things up. A factory restore may fix that, it all depends on what files or folders are messed up. Worst case scenario is a clean install to get things working again. Hopefully it won't come to that.

revrunner · 21 Aug 2013

Yes, it is the SATA file that it freezes on whenever I actually got it to start in safe mode. Any tutorials on how to do this though?

gregrocker · 21 Aug 2013

Repairs need to be done from boot when Win7 cannot start: Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start. Everything possible is sequenced there leading up to if necessary rescuiing your files to run inferior Recovery or do the superior Clean Reinstall.

Startup Repair isn't always reliable to be run from onboard WinRE because it might be corrupted. Having it run so long to no effect also can mean the HD is failing. So start with the hardware tests in the introduction.