Windows isn't booting up anymore & CD won't work

[JohnnyScience]

Ok diskpart finished and was successful. I typed exit and still at command prompt typed the following:

Chkdsk c: /r

Got the following message: cannot open volume for direct access

What should I do next?

Reboot & try to install windows all over again?

 

[JohnnyScience]

STILL getting the BSD. This is crazy.

It absolutely boggles my mind how this HDD got so corrupt.

 

[DeanP]

| Seagate
Select SeaTools for DOS

 

[alphanumeric]

Odds are good that you have a hardware fault. Most likely RAM or hard drive. I wouldn't keep trying to install windows until you test some of your hardware. If you do have faulty RAM or hard drive you'll likely never get windows to install reliably. At the very least I would re-seat your RAM and any add-in cards like Video, sound or network. Also check all your power cables and data cables, like SATA or IDE to make sure they have a good solid connection. In most cases the diagnostic utilities linked to above will let you make bootable media so you can run them without having to load an operating system. Hardware fails, sometimes for what seems like no reason at all. And it can be really frustrating if there is no obvious clue as to what went south. If you don't have spare parts to swap in diagnostics are the other alternative.

 

[JohnnyScience]

I've got 8g or ram (4 - 2g sticks) which I just resat all of them. Also resat my 2 video cards.

Should I run a memory test? I honestly think it's the HDD.

So is this HDD totally shot, or is there anything else I can do to save it? It's a 500g don't reallly want to just throw it out.

I've got another 80g HDD, but it's got all of my ubuntu stuff on it that I really don't want to lose.

But I really only use win7.

If I hook up the 80g, can I partition off the Ubuntu (which is currently the only partition) and make a new one for win7

 

[alphanumeric]

If I was a betting man I'd bet on the hard drive being the culprit. Only way to know for sure is to run the manufacturers diagnostic utility. You should be able to find a utility to zero out the drive too. It writes all zeros to the drive. If it is just a really messed up file system that should fix it. Windows might have a hard time with the Linux Ubuntu partition so you may have to use something else to adjust the partitions. I've never used Linux so I'll leave that to someone else if you go that route.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Ok so I was able to get it installed on the other HDD.

it's asking me for registration key (which I have and worked fine to activate it before) and now it's telling me it's invalid?!

I hate computers.

 

[alphanumeric]

Double check what you have written down against whats written on the COA sticker. Sounds like you made a typo when you tried to enter it.

 

[JohnnyScience]

I still have the COA sticker and that's what I used like 3 times.

Is it because I already used that code last time to activate win7 originally?

 

[alphanumeric]

If its rejecting it when you try to enter it (type it in), its either mistyped or not for the version you installed. Did you install from your original DVD? Does the version shown on the System page (windows key + Pause/break key) match the version listed on the COA sticker? Using the same product code before won't stop you from entering it during the install. Using your product code too many times or on more than one PC only comes into effect when you try to activate windows. I've re-installed windows on this PC many times and used my same product code to activate on line without any problems. Even after upgrading/adding hardware. Mines OEM so I should be able to swap just about everything except the motherboard without having activation fail.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Welp whatever number I have isn't working, I tried a bunch of times.

I wouldnt have it any other way.

I think I got it through some online place called River something, whoever did the initial online release. I bought it as a student when 7 came out.

What can I do about getting a new code generated?

I had also paid extra for the official backup DVD and thats what I've been using.

 

[gregrocker]

Your retail Product key is good for life.

If it will not you activate (with the robocall or speaking with an agent, if necessary) then open a case with MS Customer Service to validate the key and get it activated one way or another.

They may refer you to Digital River Customer Service, but there will be a resolution as you paid for it and own it for life.

http://gizmodo.com/5391268/microsoft-fixes-windows-7-student-edition-upgrade-problems

 

[alphanumeric]

Is it rejecting it when you try to type it in, or is it rejected when you try to activate windows?

 

[JohnnyScience]

Ok hopefully I can get it taken care of tonight.

Any idea on what number I call to get a new code?

Rejecting to even finish installing windows.

And I actually just seen the BSD again..............

 

[alphanumeric]

Windows key plus pause/break key. Then click advanced system settings. Under the Advanced tab go to startup and recovery settings. In the System failure section make sure "Automatically restart" is NOT checked. Then the next time you get a BSOD write down the info on the screen so you can Google it latter. There are also log files etc you can look at to try and find out why it Blue screened. The Stop code on the actual blue screen is a good place to start though.

 

[theog]

How to install with a Upgrade disk:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?ltr=C

 

[JohnnyScience]

Windows key plus pause/break key. Then click advanced system settings. Under the Advanced tab go to startup and recovery settings. In the System failure section make sure "Automatically restart" is NOT checked. Then the next time you get a BSOD write down the info on the screen so you can Google it latter. There are also log files etc you can look at to try and find out why it Blue screened. The Stop code on the actual blue screen is a good place to start though.

Where exactly do I hit windows & pause/break key?

Remember I can't even get past the initial product key registration to finish installih windows.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Well digital river is closed today.

Can I call Microsoft and get a new one from them?

Any ideas of the number I call?

 

[JohnnyScience]

Just got the BSD AGAIN!

How can I run a memory test? I looked in bios, didn't see anything?

 

[Jacee]

Ok so I was able to get it installed on the other HDD.

it's asking me for registration key (which I have and worked fine to activate it before) and now it's telling me it's invalid?!

I hate computers.

The problem is, it's not the same hard drive ... MS support activation phone number
How to contact a Microsoft Product Activation Center