Laptop Won't Boot, can't get past Initial Windows Screen

[SlasherIT]

Its ok leave it to me

 

[Jim15]

Make sure you go with Ubuntu and back up your stuff first!!!

Right, it's downloading as we speak.

don't understand anymore. Can you enter recovery environment or not? No recovery CD? Borrow on

I haven't been able to understand things for a while now.

From what I can tell, messing with the partitions before has made it so that I'm not even accessing the OS... or something like that. When I hit f8 for the advanced options, there is no longer an option to repair the computer and reach the recovery environment.

 

[SlasherIT]

Just don't bother fixing it... Re-install is needed. Alright great then, report back when ur ready...

 

[Jim15]

Okay, so I've encountered a problem with putting ubuntu on my flashdrive. I followed the directions on the site to do so by using usb universal installer. Very early on in the install, it gives me an error:

"An error (1) has occured while executing syslinux.

Your usb drive won't be bootable..."

Any idea what the cause of this would be?

 

[gregrocker]

Use your Win7 DVD or Repair CD to copy out your files and to do ALL repairs: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

If the autostarted Startup Repair told you REpairs may take up to an hour it is because it needed to do a Disk Check. Then if it failed it likely cannot complete the disk check. This is a strong clue. Download the ISO, burn to CD and Run the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to diagnose and possibly repair HD.

Next run on all partitions a Disk Check automated by Startup Repair run from DVD/Repair CD, from the Repair CD's System Recovery Options Command Line, or using Partition Wizard CD given later.

You also need to check for infection. Download, burn to CD or write to flash stick then boot to run a full scan with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

Again boot the Win7 Repair CD to run Startup Repair to see if it finds issues. If not, boot into Repair Command Line again to run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

You have now checked your HD, checked for infection and checked System Files. Next check your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress test.

We need to see a picture of your HD. Boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD take a camera snap showing drive map and all listings, post back using paper clip in reply box. The 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred) or Win7 should be marked Active - if not rightclick to Modify>Set to Active. Then click on HD to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply, reboot. You can also check File System (Disk Check) with repair boxes checked.

If you needed to mark either partition given Active and Rebuild MBR doesn't start it, then boot into Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to rewrite the System Boot files. If these steps fail on 100mb partition, change the Active flag to Win7 partition itself and repeat all steps - your System Reserved partition could be corrupt.

If all of these fail, then run Full Factory Recovery from its partition or Disks you made or order from manufacturer's Tech Support, or find a Win7 installer for your version to do a superior clean reinstall following these step to get a Perfect Reinstall.

 

[SlasherIT]

@gregrocker - I'm going to have to disagree with you. Using Ubuntu to backup and browse his data is much easier for him than via console. Also, its much easier to just format now instead of wasting some time on some of your steps... Time is key.

@Jim15 - Did you format the USB clean and make sure it is FAT32?

 

[gregrocker]

Clean reinstall is always the best option as far as I'm concerned and I provided detailed steps for that, however OP specfically stated he wanted to avoid it so I gave him detailed Repair steps.

Another data recovery option freeware is Paragon Rescue CD.

To write Win7 installer or any Linux distro easily to stick use Universal USB Installer

 

[Jim15]

I just deleted the repair CD on my usb to make room for ubuntu, so I guess that's out the window... is there a difference in using a different OS to back up the files?

I've tried a lot of the things listed before:

Disk Check sometimes tells me that it's found no problems, other times it tells me that some files can't be read. either way, it never fixes whatever problem I have. After a reboot, the same chkdsk comes up and finds the same problems... sometimes more. This was earlier on when my problems first started though, chkdsk no longer comes up automatically.

I've done a deep system scan before for viruses, just not with the program you recommended. I used Vipre Rescue, which said I had no viruses or malware.

SFC /scannow refuses to run for me. I've even tried doing it offline, but even then it decides to give me an error which isn't explained.

I've also done memtest hoping to solve the problem, but it said everything was alright.

I'm willing to give Partition Wizard bootable cd a try, but at the moment I have no access to a blank CD. For the time being, I'm going to attempt backing up my files with Ubuntu. Hopefully this works out okay.

Edit:

SlasherIT: Yeah, that was the problem. I've got it on the usb now, and the Windows 7 install iso is currently downloading. Looks like it's going to be a while, a 3 GB download. (Hope the disk I borrow is big enough)

 

[gregrocker]

As stated when Disk Check is unresolved the next step required is running the maker's HD diagnostics extended CD scan, followed by Disk CHeck again to see if it resolves. This can actually repair the HD as well as file system.

I have never heard of Vipre Rescue scan. We recommend MS Standalone System Sweeper which can write to flash stick. It's important to know if you're infected because the System is never suspected to be lost or a losing proposition unless seriously infected - then I would consider bailing to a Clean Reinstall. Other problems can be fixed.

You can get 5 good quality CD's or DVD's on the wall rack at Walgreens for $2.

You're welcome.

 

[SlasherIT]

Great, so it installed Ubuntu onto the USB?

 

[Jim15]

gregrocker: I looked at using the maker's CD, but I have a problem in that regard: I have no idea what the make and model of my hard drive is. In the directions given for the link you provided, I'd have to have access to windows in order to find out.

Also, about what I said earlier- I did want to avoid reinstalling and losing my installed programs, but I'm really on my last legs here. I've spent a solid 2 weeks trying to fix this problem, and I guess... I just want it to be over. I'll lose a few programs, but if I can back up my important files and this problem finally goes away, it'll be worth it.

I do appreciate you listing ways to fix this though, thanks.

SlasherIT: Yep, I'm going to go back up my files now. I'll update if I can't figure anything out... hopefully this goes well!

 

[SlasherIT]

Is Ubuntu loaded? Are you ok navigating with it?

You can find all your installed programs by going into C:/Program Files/ and checking what is installed so if you want you can make note of what to re-install.

 

[Jim15]

I'm not sure if I did things right. At first there was a screen with some options, but then it booted up into the operating system. I know you said that I was supposed to do some other things first (Try Ubuntu), so I'm not sure if I've already done something wrong. I also can't seem to locate my flash drive on there, but I did find my files.

 

[SlasherIT]

Go onto Computer, you should find the USB there. But it will probably be listed as something else as Ubuntu is running off it...

 

[Jim15]

Go onto Computer, you should find the USB there. But it will probably be listed as something else as Ubuntu is running off it...

I found something called system reserved. Do you think that might be it? I see a few files in there, but the ones that stand out to me are "boot" and "bootmgr"

If it's not that, then I'm not sure where else to find it...

Edit: I also found another one called cdrom. It actually has a syslinux folder in it. Not sure if I should use that one or the other.

 

[SlasherIT]

Don't you know what files are on the USB?

Why don't you just give me a screenshot of the Computer window, I'll be able to help you better...

 

[Jim15]

There are some pictures I took of what I see, hope those help.

I only have the unbuntu boot on my flash drive, so you'd think it'd be easy for me to spot, but no such luck so far.

 

[SlasherIT]

Can you find a program called Disk Manager or something like that? It basically allows you to benchmark all devices and things like that. Try finding it... You'll find it somewhere under System (not the drive)

 

[SlasherIT]

Alright, I found it. Go under System > Administration > Disk Utility. In Disk Utility, it will list all drives and its information. You will then be able to identify your drive by the amount of space it has, and open it.

 

[Jim15]

Found something called disk utility. I was able to find the usb through that, but it's different from if I was using Windows. It doesn't look like I could drag and drop into a space. Maybe it's just because I'm looking at it through disk utility... I will try some other things and update in a minute.