System Repair and Safe Mode won't work.

[icecoldj91]

Hi, my laptop starts up as the "windows did not shut down properly" screen where I can start windows normal to do repair. When I start windows normally it sends me to the repair screen. And when I select system repair it just freezes at a light blue and geen screen and the only thing showing is my cursor. Ive tried to run the system in safe mode but it freezes at classpnp.sys, and eventually sends me back to the repair screen that is frozen. I don't believe I have my windows 7 installation disk for my laptop so that is out of the equation.

My brother was using my computer and said it was updating when this happened so Im not sure what caused all this.

Thanks.

 

[Carl Lawrence]

Sounds like Windows has corrupted and needs reinstalling.

 

[icecoldj91]

Im fine with reinstalling except I don't know how to reinstall without getting into safe mode.

 

[pebbly]

Here you go icecoldj91 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[icecoldj91]

Here you go icecoldj91 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Thanks but I don't believe I have a windows 7 installer CD. Either lost somewhere or didn't come with my laptop. I supposed I could try to find one somewhere.

 

[Hopalong X]

Good idea.
You will need same version as yours. I see you are using Win 7 32bit so you need Pro/Home/Ultimate which ever yours is.

If you can borrow one enter YOUR numbers per the picture below...
..and make sure you do 13 in the quote box. You will activate later after the repair.

13. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly. (See step 20 below)
If you chose to automatically activate Windows online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows three days after you log on for the first time.

 

[icecoldj91]

Where will the product key be if windows 7 was already pre installed on my laptop when I bought it? There arent any stickers on my laptop and of course I can't get into windows to retrieve it.

Good idea.
You will need same version as yours. I see you are using Win 7 32bit so you need Pro/Home/Ultimate which ever yours is.

If you can borrow one enter YOUR numbers per the picture below...
..and make sure you do 13 in the quote box. You will activate later after the repair.

13. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly. (See step 20 below)
If you chose to automatically activate Windows online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows three days after you log on for the first time.

 

[Hopalong X]

On a tag on the bottom of the PC or in the battery compartment with some brands.

It will say COA and will have 25 digits. May also say Product Key.

There is also software and ways to get it from the PC but it won't boot sooo...???? That won't help.

Also if it is a laptop it should have a recovery partion.


I need the brand of the laptop to find the recovery partition key used on it. Look in your owners manual or go to the web site for your laptop. Download manual it will tell you how to access and use the recovery partiton.
Usually after bios but before Windows you hit one of the "F" keys but it varies by brand.
This will restore to original as you bought it state so you will lose all your personel files and pics.

If you can't find a disk to repair and/or find the COA it is the only option left.

 

[icecoldj91]

Ah thanks. I think I see it in the battery compartment. Also my laptop is a Dell. Im not too familiar with partitions but I hear the word being thrown around alot.

 

[Hopalong X]

Okay you have to decide if you want to try the recovery.
That loses all personal info back to as you brought it home.
If you can't find a disk you will have to do it whether you want or not.

1- Find a Win 7 32bit disk with the EXACT version Home/Pro/Ultimate since you found the COA.

2- Recovery from the recovery partition. Get the manual on line if you don't have it and it will tell you step by step for your Dell.

Mike

 

[icecoldj91]

I dont mind losing my info so Im just going to go ahead with the recovery parition if I cant find the disk. Thanks.

 

[Hopalong X]

You don't need a disk with the recovery. Unless you deleted it it is on the hard drive.

Get the manual.
Win 7 Dell is F8 to access and start recovery I have been informed.

 

[Hopalong X]

Borrowed from Dell It is F8 before Bios. Read.

Step 3 below. You can't save your files because you can't boot.

Windows 7 PC Restore

Print
Article ID : 125843Date Published : 2009-08-29Journal ID : f5222cbe-243d-4a17-81f8-18da5fd0fc02This article is for Microsoft Windows 7:
Click here to change the Operating System

<A id=TOC name=TOC>Table of Contents:

• Step 1: Backup important files & data.
• Step 2: Remove non-essential peripherals
• Step 3: Restore the computer's software to original condition.
• Step 4: Restore your personal files and data from backups.

Notice: Dell has designed two new backup and restore programs, see below for the details:
Dell Inspirons, Studios, and XPS Systems use DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 as the PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of April 22, 2009.
Click here if your computer is an Inspiron, Studio, or XPS Dell OptiPlex, Latitude, Vostro, and Precisions use Dell Backup and Recovery Manager as the PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of May 26, 2009.
Click here if your computer is an OptiPlex, Latitude, Vostro, or Precision

Step 1:Backup important files & data.
Click the link below for instructions on how to backup important files and data.
Click here for instructions on how to back up files.

Back to Top

Step 2:Remove non-essential peripherals

Except for the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, remove all external peripherals including:

Note:
An external peripheral is a device that connects to a port on the front, side or back of the computer, like a printer or memory key.

• Scanner
• Printer
• Modem or Network cables
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• USB flash drive or other external Hard Drive
• Any other external devices (e.g., USB-attached devices)
• Remove the computer from the docking station, if you are using one.

Back to Top


Step 3:Restore the computer's software to original condition.
Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows 7

Notice: Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note: You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

 

[Hopalong X]

You may need to tap the F8 key several times to get the Advanced Boot Options to come up.

My parents old Hp you had to tap tap tap tap....

 

[icecoldj91]

Yeah I can get that far, but do you have any idea how long it takes for system recovery to start working? I will start it up and it stays at the beginning screen (its like a blue sky and a little flower or something on the top right) and only shows my cursor. Ive left it like that for a good 15 minutes and nothing ever happened so I just re booted the laptop again. Is it supposed to take a long time to load before I get to the language settings etc etc?

 

[Hopalong X]

There may not be language settings etc. HP for instance just reinstalls everything as it was the first day you brought it home. All software etc.

No language or anything to choose. It is as if it has a "picture" of the day the factory installed it. You are just reinstalling that "picture".

Very over simplified but best example I can think of. It will take a while. Basic Win 7 is several GB's plus all the extra software that came on the PC.
Let me see if I can find one particular peros for some info. They probably have done this operation on a Dell.

Left a message for Pebbly she is up on Dells more than me so might know something I'm missing.

 

[pebbly]

Hi hoppy and ice cold , It can take up to 1 hour to recover the OS using the recovery mode , the laptop may restart a couple of times ,once you begin the recovery mode it is automatic with no onscreen prompts so what you are [not] seeing is correct

 

[Hopalong X]

Thanks Pebbly.

Mike

 

[pebbly]

You're very welcome Hopalong X

 

[icecoldj91]

Hey thanks guys. In my earlier post I said that the farthest I could get was systrem recovery. I meant to say system repair sorry. Hopefully Im still on the right path. Im going to upload a picture of what my computer screen looks like at the moment, hopefully it's looking as it should.



EDIT

Looks like it's running a system repair right now. I should have been more patient at the repair screen, it just seemed kind of strange that there were no on screen instructions or anything. Ill let you know how it goes.

Thanks.