Dropped Computer, Windows Startup Repair Irregular

karanshark · 12 Jul 2015

Hello All,

Having some issues with my computer and startup repair. I've looked at a few other threads, but I'm unsure about some things with my situation.

I knocked my computer off a table yesterday afternoon - I'm not sure if it had already shut down (it was shutting down), but it was off after dropping.

I turned it on a few hours later and startup didn't happen, and I got to recovery options.

I ran startup repair, with the standard messages (scanned for problems, repaired for half an hour or so, and restarted). I got to the recovery again, and started startup repair again (with the message below the moving blue bar of something like - "Attempting repairs, may take more than an hour"_. Unfortunately my computer ran out of batteries, so powered off - I plugged it in and the startup repair began again, eventually with the message "Attempting repairs, may take more than an hour".

Two hours later, my computer restarted, and went back to startup repair, with the same "more than an hour" message below.

It ran for the next 6 hours while I slept - however, this time, below the bar, it says "Attempting repairs..." and does not specify any time - I'm not sure if this is significant. It's still running (about 12 hours in total since I first started Startup Repair).

Another issue right now is my external HDD with my backup stopped working a couple of weeks ago, and I was actually planning to do a new backup last night!

From reading other threads concerned with Startup Repair, it sounds like my HDD may be toast. However, I'd like to ask:

1) has anyone run startup repair in a similar situation for longer than this, with it working?
2) If I take it to a software shop I take for some minor issues, would they possibly be able to do anything?
3) I've seen briefly a solution of making a Windows 7 Repair Disc. I assume I could make this off a colleague's, but is this likely to help?
4) Is there any other advice that anyone can give me as to what to do to diagnose or fix the exact problem?
5) Is it advisable to just turn it off and try another option such as using a Windows Installation Disk (if I can find it)?

Thank you very much,

Karan Kukreja

karanshark · 13 Jul 2015

Sorry - the computer is a Lenovo T420 - forgot to put that in.

GokAy · 13 Jul 2015

See if this helps - Startup Repair Infinite Loop Recovery

You can always try with another medium to load recovery options. Your installation DVD, repair disk, bootable USB versions of these if need be.

Since you dropped it, HDD may be damaged - try scanning it with HDD manufacturer's tool. Reseat HDD and RAMs before you do though.

You can also check Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot if above fail.

Nedly · 13 Jul 2015

If Windows cut out while running due to the drop, this would explain the startup repair screen. I personally have never had luck with startup repair, but I have not faced the errors it is designed to repair. If your drive is mechanical, you could have jolted some of the data which is held by magnetic electricity - it is not burned like in CD's and SSD's.

If your data got scrambled by the bump, it may not mean that your drive is actually bad - rather, it is just the data that is corrupt. Your local technician should be able to at least determine the problem, but depending on what it is they may only be able to help a little - say you need data recovery or something.

Trying to do a restore to a previous time could potentially help, but files that were acquired in the mean time will be lost. Preemptively speaking, it is best to use SSD's.

gregrocker · 13 Jul 2015

Boot into BIOS setup to see if the hard drive is still listed anywhere - normally by its Serial or Model which can be googled to find the maker's HD Diagnostic to run bootable CD diagnostics.

If not access the HD port underneath to try to reseat the hard drive to see if you can get it to register. You may be able to find a video on the web for your model for how to replace hard drive or disassemble . It's usually just a matter of a few screws and deftly sliding it out to push it back in firmly.

Do the same for the RAM.

Unplug the battery and AC power cord, hold power button down 30 seconds, plug in only AC to try again.

Now are there any changes?