Windows fails to boot

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dc8flyer said:

BJC1992,

Sorry to hear this.

If you can get it back into the command prompt I hope you try the sfc /scannow command as it is imbedded in Windows for the sole purpose of fixing corrupt window files.

Any attempt to alter the registry in an attempt to fix your type of issue is asking for more trouble. Digging around into the computers OS usually ends up right where you are today. Best to use the resources provided by the OS (such as sfc /scannow) to attempt repairs or the programs on the recovery disk.


That said, it still doesn't resolve your problem. Unfortunately, not knowing what was actually going on, not knowing what or how you attempted repairs, or the condition of your components, it is doubtful a repair can be posted here for you in my opinion. Again, never mess with the registry when having OS issues even if you back up the registry since there is no guarantee your system will reboot.


IF you can get back into command prompt try sfc /scannow before doing anything else. One last thought. As old as your computer is, have you ever replaced the CMOS battery on your motherboard? Other issues can range from a bad drive to bad memory.


NEVER edit the registry.

I have tried to run SFC / scannow but everytime I try it it says that a check has been scheduled and that I need to reboot the computer and run SFC again, but when I do I am presented with the same message.
There are other options available such as check disk and memory diagnostics tools, but can't get anywhere with anything. You asked about the CMOS battery, I can tell you that it was only replaced a few weeks ago.

I reckon my only option now is to install a new copy of windows.

BJC1992 said:

I have tried to run SFC / scannow but everytime I try it it says that a check has been scheduled and that I need to reboot the computer and run SFC again, but when I do I am presented with the same message.
There are other options available such as check disk and memory diagnostics tools, but can't get anywhere with anything. You asked about the CMOS battery, I can tell you that it was only replaced a few weeks ago.

I reckon my only option now is to install a new copy of windows.

When you attempt to run SFC /scannow (space only between SFC /) you need to right click on the command prompt and select run as administrator. Once it starts it should then show a progression in percentage completed until reaching 100 percent. Then it will summarize the findings and if faults are found will tell you to reboot.


As I mentioned in an earlier post about scannow, it can take numerous attempts to correct all the errors as it can not correct them all at once. The most I had to do at one time was about eight scans and reboots. With the errors you have in your system it could take many more attempts.


Grab a Windows ten Home 64 bit and mention to the seller what problems you are having and have a go at it. You have the minimums for W10 and it should get you back up and running.

Good luck.

Windows 10 System Requirements Specifications | Microsoft

dc8flyer said:

When you attempt to run SFC /scannow (space only between SFC /) you need to right click on the command prompt and select run as administrator. Once it starts it should then show a progression in percentage completed until reaching 100 percent. Then it will summarize the findings and if faults are found will tell you to reboot.


As I mentioned in an earlier post about scannow, it can take numerous attempts to correct all the errors as it can not correct them all at once. The most I had to do at one time was about eight scans and reboots. With the errors you have in your system it could take many more attempts.


Grab a Windows ten Home 64 bit and mention to the seller what problems you are having and have a go at it. You have the minimums for W10 and it should get you back up and running.

Good luck.

Windows 10 System Requirements Specifications | Microsoft

The computer no longer boots at all, so when accessing the command prompt I'm doing so through the recovery disc, which is giving me all of the options such as reinstall windows, check disk etc, on this menu it doesn't give me an option to run command prompt as administrator.

I think the best and easiest option is to grab the W10 64-bit and take things from there.

Vineet Garg said:

Hi All,
Greets,

@BJC1992 : Sir,

1) with problems like these it helps me to gain extra computer knowledge.
That's the best part. I am impressed. Please maintain.

2) Windows 10 is good to go with. But you can't avoid some steps for eg. you have to even install win 10. We know that if your hardware is a problem, even windows 10 can't do anything. Windows 7 is still good enough to go with. Probably your installation is corrupted and you need a reinstall. I think you never did any clean installation apart from using your recovery discs. Installing windows is a little different thing. When you use manufacturer made recovery disks its much easier as you need very less to configure ! So, whether you go for 10 or 7, you have to go for some basic understanding and advanced preparation. I suppose you have another pc at hand to do all of that there ?

3) To be very clear windows 7 is still the first pick for many. And if your pc came with windows 7 preinstalled , you have a valuable license key for it. Did you find that ? It probably rests somewhere at the back body of your laptop on a sticker in the format :
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
I fear its erased as for many ! Note it down & don't share it with anyone. Whether you go for windows 10, the key is still valuable & you can use that on other pc.

4) You said that you had problems using recovery disks which you made earlier. Can you tell us whether you still have a recovery partition on the original internal disk. Actually, it is not removed unless we remove it ourselves and you can directly boot into that referring your laptop documentation.

5) One thing to say is : Did you contact your laptop manufacturer for recovery disks for your model ? In my country, that is available for a little 500 or 600 INR.

6) You said that you were not able to run Command Prompt,etc. from recovery disk But that's the limitation of manufacturer's recovery media. You can make all those steps from a standard windows 7 installation disk/pen drive.
Though you need a retail license key (which is on the back body of your laptop) to download it directly from microsoft but there are 100% safe ways to download it and verify its integrity. You only need to know the exact edition of your windows 7 32/64 and you can prepare installation media with a little knowledge. One such download source is :
TechBench by WZT (v4.1.1)

7) Even if your windows 7 retail license key is erased, you can still use genuine windows 7 the genuine way.

Let us know what you decide.

Thanks & Regards. ...

I do have another computer in the house that I can use to use in the meantime, if I wanted to download anything to run on my own PC I am able to do that.
I don't believe I have a recovery partition though, but as for the recovery disc it's one that my computer promoted me to make when I got the PC, the sticker with the retail licence key is on the side of the tower so I can use that, I think for now I would be happy to stay with W7, so I will take your advice from the above comments and try and prepare new installation media.

Hi Bjc1992,

not sure if SIW2's PM gave you an iso download file or not so here's another,

https://software-download.microsoft....4a8d0ee5ad504f

W7 Home Premium OEM SP1 32bit -- only valid for 24 hours


download it to your desktop, then use Rufus or this to create install media and perform a clean install
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store
@dc8flyer as this is an OEM machine the MS download site option will not work - invalid key


Roy

BJC1992 said:

When selecting the system repair option and I'm taken to the next menu there is a list of options, one of which is a heading that says 'reinstall windows', if I did that would I have to erase the hard drive first or will the setup take care of that?

Most OEM computers have a Factory recover Option. I think it's the case.
Before you begin, backup all your data on another disk as it will format the C: drive and load a backed up image from a Recovery partition.
Although a Factory recover is faster then a clean install (and you don't need to look for drivers) it isn't clean as a Clean Install from a installation disk (Factory recover also reinstall a lot of useless or out dated programs)

When you reinstall win 7 (by Factory recover or clean install) you'll need to do the ~250 updates. My suggestion is to install SP2 and then the Security Only updates.
MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

If you decide to downgrade to Win 10, as SIW2 mentioned, you don't need to buy a license.
- If you once have had Win 10 activated on the computer you don't need a license (M$ "remember" it)
- If you haven't had Win 10 activated on the computer but If you have a Win 7 key, just put it on the field when asked to when installing Win 10.