Stuck in startup repair loop and no safe mode access

Pigdog99 · 29 Apr 2017

Im stuck in the repair loop. I was able to get into safemode before but now it always goes to the startup repair that cant be fixed. I get the error code 0x490. Also when it does the does the search for Windows it says its on E drive. Which is the drive letter of a 2nd HD. The main thing is my user accounts no longer show up. I cant find my user doc,pics etc. I can do the notepad/my computer from the cmd prompt and look at some files but all the main ones I need to save are gone. I have my Win7 install disk and have done most things suggested. So are all my files gone for good? I just wanted to try and get my docs, pics and all off and then just re install windows. Thanks-Chris

Ranger4 · 29 Apr 2017

Hi Pigdog99, welcome to the Forum.

How many drive do have in that computer. Windows should be on C drive & not on E drive.

Have you recently reinstalled Windows with more than one drive connected to the motherboard. If so the installation of Windows often gets put on the wrong drive or the boot files get misplaced.

Have you had a look in the BIOS to see what the boot order is. Try setting the drive that should have Windows on it as the first in the boot order.

Report back with answers to these questions & any other info that you think could help.

Pigdog99 · 29 Apr 2017

No I installed win7 on the ssd as c: the 2nd drive was added at a later time. I found it strange that it finds the os on E:and not C:. When using the DIR cmd it lists no files on c. Also if I type in D: and dir it lists files there. I never had a D: drive. I confirmed when I could get into safe mode that the windows files were on the C: drive which confused me on the repair screen it always listed the OS as on E:. I was able to do a full scan with Malwarebytes in safe mode before it stopped booting and it found nothing.

SIW2 · 30 Apr 2017

Have look at it by booting the win 7 install disk. Try running recovery options ( Repair My Computer) first. You can also launch notepad from the command prompt in the booted recovery environment.

Callender · 30 Apr 2017

Just to say that I had a similar problem a couple of months ago. Something screwed up MBR and resulted in a startup repair loop.

Tried the fix here:

Startup Repair Infinite Loop Recovery

It didn't work though. Solution was to boot into PE from USB and use a partition tool to fix drive letters then still in PE use the same partiton tool to wipe windows partition. That allowed me to restore backup of windows partition using Macrium Reflect USB. You might be able to copy files to another partition/ drive using PE.

I can't really give specific help though.

Pigdog99 · 30 Apr 2017

Ive done the repair loop fix and that didnt work. The main problem is my user accounts are gone. All the docs, pics, saves, desktop files arent there. It only lists public as the only user. So why would my user files folders be gone but other windows files show up? So if I can use the notebook file open option does that show me all the files I can access? Is there any different paths for user files? Would booting a Rufus Usb allow you more file access in windows? I pretty much just need to find my user files and folders. If there not showing up then they must be gone.

Callender · 30 Apr 2017

Try creating a bootable USB with PE on it:

Make A Bootable USB Using AOMEI PE Builder

Boot using the USB then see what files you can find. Move important stuff to another partition of possible.

Also use the built in tools to check disk management and see which drives show up. Check drive letters and contents. If drive letters look wrong correct them using the partition tool. Note: If using the partition tool you need to make changes one at a time only and click the apply button before making any other change.

Callender · 30 Apr 2017

Check and change your incorrect drive letters one at a time:

Stuck in startup repair loop and no safe mode access-drive-letter.jpg

Then rebuild MBR:

Stuck in startup repair loop and no safe mode access-mbr.jpg

Then shutdown and unplug USB. Boot and see if it boots into windows.

Pigdog99 · 30 Apr 2017

Ok I'll try aomei pe. Ive downloaded on an older Windows 8.1 laptop and get the message "the signature of this program is corrupt or invaild" So I dont wanna try that. I wouldnt want any more computer problems.

Callender · 30 Apr 2017

Checked that page and load link is actually here:

Free Download AOMEI Software| Download AOMEI Backupper and Partition Assistant

RE: Your files. Maybe give this a go?

Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS - Windows 7 Help Forums

Personally I've not used that software but have used Knoppix and Puppy in the past. Currently I don't have any version of Linux lying around.