Solved Windows 7 not loading from Bootable Repair Disc

[mrbongo]

I have a Samsung R530 Laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit.

It will now not boot into Windows and I have tried the following:

Startup Repair - this searches through files and then finally hangs for a while, a brief flash then goes back to initial boot and continues to loop this way.

I have tried hitting F8 and trying all Safe Mode options but no luck.

I have removed all usb devices etc.

I have attempted to use Samsungs Recovery Solution at initial boot but again... this just hangs at the initiail screen saying 'Please wait... ' and even after leaving for hours will not progress further.

I have downloaded and burned the Windows 7 Repair disc iso and burned to disc using ImgBurn. I then change boot priority to boot from disc drive in an attempt to run repair from the disc. When I do this, it begins as normal but will only allow me to choose the keyboard region/language and then nothing else happens, just stays on the Windows 7 screen (with the leaves and bird...)

I also tried a Windows 7 installation disc and then choosing the 'Repair My Computer' option at the bottom and again, nothing happens.

I tried another repair disc download incase the first one was bad but this does the same thing.

I am running out of patience and options now.

I have booted an Ubuntu live CD to see if I can get into my Windows Files from there but not sure what I should be looking for. I also run Memtest to check all is ok, it scanned a few times with no errors so I think my RAM is good.

Given the examples I have attempted, does anyone know the possible problem and any fixes or any further options I can try.

If my only option is a reinstallation of Windows 7, I would appreciate advice on how to remove my data (possibly using Ubuntu to access?) I understand this may include mounting the drives but as I have never tried this, I want to ensure I am not creating more problems for myself.

*edit*

I forgot to add that when I attempt to start in safe mode it loads files then stops at CLASSPNP.sys which according to a Google search may indicate a HD problem? I'm no expert on computers but being able to use Ubuntu to access my HD files makes me question if it is a HD problem? I'm not averse to opening the laptop up and checking connections, I will do (almost) anything to fix this lol

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these other steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

Burn to DVD or write to flash stick the installer provided to do repairs/reinstall. It should boot if correctly burned/written since you can boot an Ubuntu CD.

When rescuiing files you should be looking for C drive User folders, if you organize your files that way. Otherwise browse to where you put them.

 

[mrbongo]

That's the installer I burned to disc, it starts up when I boot the computer but when I select 'Repair my Computer' it does nothing.

 

[gregrocker]

Then you'll need to burn another DVD using the tool given or ImgBurn at 4x speed, since if Ubuntu will boot then Win7 should boot if your OD will boot DVD's too.

Or write the installer to flash stick to try another method. Everything is in the link.

 

[mrbongo]

Then you'll need to burn another DVD using the tool given or ImgBurn at 4x speed, since if Ubuntu will boot then Win7 should boot if your OD will boot DVD's too.

Or write the installer to flash stick to try another method. Everything is in the link.

Sorry for being dumb but do you mean write another DVD with the Windows 7 Install/Repair iso?

And I'm not sure what you mean when you say "if your OD will boot DVD's too"

I was trying to get my head round the Testdisk tool in Ubuntu but I will try your suggestion first.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you even read the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot? If so then please direct your questions to completing each step correctly.

The installer ISO and tool to burn to DVD or write to flash stick is included to do repairs or if necessary reinstall.

 

[mrbongo]

Did you even read the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot? If so then please direct your questions to completing each step correctly.

The installer ISO and tool to burn to DVD or write to flash stick is included to do repairs or if necessary reinstall.

Yes I read it and have done most already so wasn't sure which 'tool' you were referring to as there is a Windows Defender step and the Bootrec.exe tool also mentioned.

 

[gregrocker]

Windows Defender requires burning its own disk or flash stick? Did you do that?

Bootrec can be run from installer's Command Line in System Recovery Options.

 

[mrbongo]

Windows Defender requires burning its own disk or flash stick? Did you do that?

Bootrec can be run from installer's Command Line in System Recovery Options.

When I boot up with the Windows Defender iso disc, it doesn't get as far as doing a scan, just stays on the initial grey screen with blue box 'Windows Defender Offline' and the progress bar thing continuing and not going any further no matter how long I wait.

Now about to attempt another DVD of Windows 7 Repair/Istall boot disc.

 

[mrbongo]

When the Installation disc loads, here is what happens:

Initial screen asking language, Time and currency format, Keyboard or Input method.

I input these and click next.

This brings me to the Install screen. I choose

'Repair your computer'

near the bottom and click next.

Nothing new appears and the blue Windows background screen (with the leaves and the bird) remain. The cursor can move around. Nothing else happens.

 

[gregrocker]

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? Is DVD drive set to boot first, then HDD?

There are other bootable AV's in the tutorial to download and burn to CD, boot to disinfect Win7.

Since disinfecting is the first step before doing any repairs, you really haven't even started yet.

 

[mrbongo]

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? Is DVD drive set to boot first, then HDD?

There are other bootable AV's in the tutorial to download and burn to CD, boot to disinfect Win7.

Since disinfecting is the first step before doing any repairs, you really haven't even started yet.

HD detected. Boot priority is Dvd/cd drive first, HD second.

Booted with AVG disc in and left overnight to scan files, 1 pup file was the result now deleted.

Restart computer with same results.

 

[mrbongo]

So now I restart, hit F8 and attempt to enter recovery options. Click on repair computer and it eventually gets me to the Windows blue background screen with the leaves and the bird. No dialogue box comes up to start repair, just stays on this screen doing nothing. I try this three times and still the same. I notice the little blue light that normally flickers during activity goes off at this point.

 

[F5ing]

You might want to try checking the health of your hard disk. I'm not sure of the make/model of your drive but you could run a bootable diagnostics app from Western Digital (burn the iso to a CD and boot from it) just to make sure the drive reports a good SMART status:

WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD VelociRaptor

If it reports the SMART status as anything other than PASS, you need to make sure all of your personal data is safely backed up to some other reliable media before going further.

 

[mrbongo]

You might want to try checking the health of your hard disk. I'm not sure of the make/model of your drive but you could run a bootable diagnostics app from Western Digital (burn the iso to a CD and boot from it) just to make sure the drive reports a good SMART status:

WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD VelociRaptor

If it reports the SMART status as anything other than PASS, you need to make sure all of your personal data is safely backed up to some other reliable media before going further.

I'm just in the process of making the iso disc but using DIsk Utility in Ubuntu, the SMART status shows after a quick test that it has 1 bad sector. I am about to back stuff up and then see what I can do to remedy this.

 

[gregrocker]

Use the bootable diagnostics/repair scan provided by the HD maker: HD Diagnostic
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

Then run Disk Check if necessary creating a full disk partition to do the scan using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[mrbongo]

Use the bootable diagnostics/repair scan provided by the HD maker: HD Diagnostic
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

Then run Disk Check if necessary creating a full disk partition to do the scan using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Thanks in advance for your help, this will keep me out of mischief for a while.

One quick question, I ran a back up of Data I want to keep in my Windows files using the BackUp thing in Ubuntu, saving it to and old HD I use for storage. Once complete I looked in to check it was ok and the files are all in gzip files. I assume when if and when I get Windows 7 up and running again, I can unzip these and they will be in normal jpeg, mp3 files etc?

I am literally learning as I go along here so bear with me if I'm asking dumb questions.

 

[gregrocker]

I would drag the files out intact using explorer and not another OS: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

or Paragon rescue disk to recover data.

Relying on a backup program can end in disappointment, and zipped files aren't really necessary.

 

[mrbongo]

I would drag the files out intact using explorer and not another OS: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

or Paragon rescue disk to recover data.

Relying on a backup program can end in disappointment, and zipped files aren't really necessary.

The Windows Recovery Console tutorial unfortunately will not help me as the nature of my problem means that I have never gotten past the first screenshot in that example. The window opens and I click Repair Computer near the bottom but have never seen the next screen.

Kind of why I had to back up thru Ubuntu OS, I can't find any other way into my files

 

[gregrocker]

If Ubuntu will boot then Win7 installer or Repair CD should boot, too. It does for everyone else.

If using the Repair CD, then burn another one. If that fails then download and burn to DVD or write to flash stick the installer from the link in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot.

Once you have the bootable disk you can complete the other steps. Did you try another bootable AV disk? Burn using ImgBurn at 4x speed which never fails.

If these fail, try resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

If disks fail, try flash stick installer. If that fails unplug DVD drive.