Dell Inspiron one 2320 - Will not recover/repair

SIW2 · 25 Nov 2018

If the boot entries are ok - then there is something else wrong. Unusual, but it might be file or filesystem corruption.

I would first run chkdsk /f c:

Next run SFC (it looks like someone has been monkeying around in system32)

sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\windows

If there are no major problems revealed by chkdsk or sfc , then try replacing the winload.exe file and system32\en-US\winload.exe.mui file from a shadow copy. ( shadowcopyview is on the desktop).

Failing that, try a system restore.

Last option - restore from backup image ( if you have one) or reinstall

SIW2 · 25 Nov 2018

If you end up reinstalling you can back up the activation now. Dism++ on the desktop. ( ok the 5gb warning ) Highlight the windows partition. Select Toolkit in the left pane, select activation backup. Click backup.

Then copy the entire dism++ folder from x:\program files onto a usb stick.

The 14gb partition should contain the manufacturer recovery media. Not difficult to get hold of new installation media, if needed. Good idea to have it anyway.

iamseven · 25 Nov 2018

OK Guys

Its all working after doing chkdsk and sfc /scannow.

There were no files with the shadowcopyview.

As said earlier, this not my PC. But although Windows starts, it still starts with the Dell screen where you have a choice of F2 or F12 selection and then moves to a black screen where again you have a choice of F1 or Powerbutton to shutdown.

F1 starts Windows.

I take it this is a Dell issue not Win7.

Again I thank you and very appreciated the help to sort this problem. Thanks

iamseven · 25 Nov 2018

In the event of needing a Win 7 image for future repairs etc. Where could a image be downloaded from, as found out before working with you guys the win7 installation is Dell not Microsoft as found using the product key.

Otherwise as I have a Win 10 iso and media creation tool, could I still upgrade his PC.

thanks

Megahertz07 · 25 Nov 2018

I told you to run check disk on post #6. I thought you did it.

On a OEM computer, BIOS takes the boot sequence to MBR that will point to the master boot loader that was on the System partition (Normally a NTFS that is now FAT16) and from this point you can launch the Dell tools and by default it takes you to the windows boot loader.
Somehow the System partition was formatted.

You have the Factory restore image on the Restore partition. With it you can create a Factory restore disk on a 16G USB flash disk. Under windows you may find a application to do it. Under BIOS you cant do it anymore as there is no more a System partition.

SIW2 · 25 Nov 2018

You could still downgrade to win10 if you really want.

You can get installation media by using
https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%2...Downloader.exe

You only need need one windows 7 installation iso. It doesn't matter if it is called Ultimate, or Pro, or Home Premium. They all contain all the edititons.

Point this at the iso file and all editions will be available when installing:
eicfg_removal_utility.zip

If you backup with dism++ as explained here you will be able to activate after using standard MS iso to reinstall on that machine.

iamseven said:

In the event of needing a Win 7 image for future repairs etc. Where could a image be downloaded from, as found out before working with you guys the win7 installation is Dell not Microsoft as found using the product key.

Otherwise as I have a Win 10 iso and media creation tool, could I still upgrade his PC.

thanks

iko22 · 26 Nov 2018

Megahertz07 said:

I told you to run check disk on post #6. I thought you did it.

Sometimes you have to run CHKDSK three times for the program to detect and correct all errors.

iko22 · 26 Nov 2018

iamseven said:

OK Guys

Its all working after doing chkdsk and sfc /scannow.

There were no files with the shadowcopyview.

As said earlier, this not my PC. But although Windows starts, it still starts with the Dell screen where you have a choice of F2 or F12 selection and then moves to a black screen where again you have a choice of F1 or Powerbutton to shutdown.

F1 starts Windows.

I take it this is a Dell issue not Win7.

Again I thank you and very appreciated the help to sort this problem. Thanks

It might be that the active partittion is still wrong.

When you start Windows, open Disk Management, and check which partition on disk is marked as (active).

iamseven · 26 Nov 2018

Megahertz07 said:

I told you to run check disk on post #6. I thought you did it..

I did chkdsk /r It took 5 hrs or so to run.

Running it again as suggested by SIW2 chkdsk /f C: Only took a minute or so.

But I ran sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\windows

This found a few errors/corruptions and corrected.

iamseven · 26 Nov 2018

iko22 said:

It might be that the active partittion is still wrong.

When you start Windows, open Disk Management, and check which partition on disk is marked as (active).

I've told him as you suggested, but he is happy to leave as it is for now as its been like this for awhile also leaving it as Win7.

thanks again