Solved Not able to boot. no help from system recovery or restore points

[EmDubYa]

Ok, so my laptop (a Sager notebook) has Windows 7 Home Premium installed on it. For the past month or so, whenever I shutdown it'll say installing update 1 of 1 and then when I go to reboot, it will say applying updates x out of 35,xxx. Well, it'll always fail and I'll have to do a system recovery. Yesterday, I forgot to plug my pc into the power source and it died in the middle of the updates it does at boot. Now, it'll say updating 2 of 35,xxx and then I have the option of doing system recovery. That doesn't work at all. Neither does trying to use a restore point. They all say failed to extract a file D:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\en-US\hmmapi.dll.mui from the restore point. I've tried deleting that individual file (not sure if that was a good idea), but it says the file path doesn't exist. I've tried chkdsk on D, but that doesn't fix the problem either. Can't do a sfc /scannow because a system recovery is in process and I'm told to reboot, but that just continues in a cycle. I'm having my mom send me the recovery disk, and I hope that can help. I have no options left except to attempt to use Ubuntu Live, boot from the disc, transfer whatever info I want to keep, and then do a reinstall. Anyone have any helpful suggestions? Not having the best weekend and I'm at my wits end :/

 

[Sir George]

Ok, so my laptop (a Sager notebook) has Windows 7 Home Premium installed on it. For the past month or so, whenever I shutdown it'll say installing update 1 of 1 and then when I go to reboot, it will say applying updates x out of 35,xxx. Well, it'll always fail and I'll have to do a system recovery. Yesterday, I forgot to plug my pc into the power source and it died in the middle of the updates it does at boot. Now, it'll say updating 2 of 35,xxx and then I have the option of doing system recovery. That doesn't work at all. Neither does trying to use a restore point. They all say failed to extract a file D:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\en-US\hmmapi.dll.mui from the restore point. I've tried deleting that individual file (not sure if that was a good idea), but it says the file path doesn't exist. I've tried chkdsk on D, but that doesn't fix the problem either. Can't do a sfc /scannow because a system recovery is in process and I'm told to reboot, but that just continues in a cycle. I'm having my mom send me the recovery disk, and I hope that can help. I have no options left except to attempt to use Ubuntu Live, boot from the disc, transfer whatever info I want to keep, and then do a reinstall. Anyone have any helpful suggestions? Not having the best weekend and I'm at my wits end :/

For clarification, are you stating there are over 35,000 updates?

 

[EmDubYa]

When the Windows is starting image comes up, yes.

 

[Kaktussoft]

How did you delete D:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\en-US\hmmapi.dll.mui ? form linux, or just from win7 recovery environment? Deleting a file is useless btw... the more you delete ... the more it has to restore.

In recovery environment your win7 partition is called D I see.
Is C called "system reserved"? And is that the active boot partition? sfc/scannow is surely the wrong syntax... it checks the recovery environment itself!

sfc  /scannow  /offbootdir=c:\  /offwindir=d:\windows

if not working try

sfc  /scannow  /offbootdir=d:\  /offwindir=d:\windows

 

[Kaktussoft]

try to do system restore from win7 install dvd or recovery dvd! of course do first:

chkdsk/f d:

 

[Jacee]

hmmapi.dll.mui belongs to IE8 .... Did you install IE9, or not? A few more details involving IE and what you've done with it might help us to help you.

 

[gregrocker]

Boot into the Win7 DVD's System Recovery Options or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair. It should offer to run System Restore, but if not run it from the Recovery Tools list to restore to a point when it worked correctly.

If this fails you might need to rescue your files then get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
- everything you need is in the blue link. Once it's setup save a WIn7 backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again - just reimage with DVD and stored image in 20 minutes.

 

[EmDubYa]

@Tak - I typed that into command prompt as you suggested, but it it still says that I need a reboot because a system recovery is in process :/ also, I mention that I tried deleting the specified file but couldnt, not that I did. Thanks for helping though!

@Jace - I hate IE. I'm a chrome or Firefox girl myself so I've never bothered with it lol.

I'll just have to wait until the recovery disc arrives in the mail to try using that. I'll update this thread once it does. Thanks everyone!

 

[EmDubYa]

Also, this is what I got after running what you suggested kak.

 

[gregrocker]

A Recovery disk only restores the PC to factory Condition, but offers none of the System Recovery Options you may still be able to trigger via the F8 Advanced Boot Options or from the Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk.

The WIn7 DVD is available in the Clean Reinstall tutorial I linked which you would know if you'd read it.

You can make a Repair CD on any WIn7 PC of your same 32- or 64-bit version.

So you can try repairs using one of those methods now. Every possible repair is listed in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start so these are no mystery,.

If faced with running Recovery disks to reinstall all of the corrupting factory bloatware, I'd instead follow the steps to get a perfect clean reinstall. It is a specialty of these forums so we will help you as much as needed, both with the repairs or the reinstall. Note you can also rescue your files doing either.

 

[EmDubYa]

Sorry Greg I didn't realize that the recovery disc and repair disc were two different things. The advanced boot options are of also no benefit atm. Sorry if I don't seem like I'm wanting to help myself by reading your suggested threads, I just wanted to provide as much info as possible pertaining to my problem. But thank you so much for the assistance!

 

[EmDubYa]

So today I had a technician at my university look at it. Of course, I had to check my laptop in and whatnot, but they called me back once I got to my dorm. The mouthpiece, as I like to call her, informed me that the technician said that he was trying to boot up under a different OS and extracting my data, but that wasn't working. I was then asked by the mouthpiece if I wanted to just clean install, obviously all my info would be lost. I said, "Let me think about that, and then I'll call you back." So, I deliberated and called them back when she then told me that the reinstall couldn't be done. Somehow, I asked the question of how much longer my hard drive had left and she went to ask the technician. She reported back to me and said that it had 3-4 years left. I said well just do the reinstall and get it overwith. She then said that there was a problem with my hard drive, and that it needed to be replaced, and that it wouldn't boot up until it was. I'm confused how the hard drive could be good for another 3-4 years yet not allow me to use my computer?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Sorry Greg I didn't realize that the recovery disc and repair disc were two different things. The advanced boot options are of also no benefit atm. Sorry if I don't seem like I'm wanting to help myself by reading your suggested threads, I just wanted to provide as much info as possible pertaining to my problem. But thank you so much for the assistance!

recovery environment and repair disc are the same!

 

[Kaktussoft]

So today I had a technician at my university look at it. Of course, I had to check my laptop in and whatnot, but they called me back once I got to my dorm. The mouthpiece, as I like to call her, informed me that the technician said that he was trying to boot up under a different OS and extracting my data, but that wasn't working. I was then asked by the mouthpiece if I wanted to just clean install, obviously all my info would be lost. I said, "Let me think about that, and then I'll call you back." So, I deliberated and called them back when she then told me that the reinstall couldn't be done. Somehow, I asked the question of how much longer my hard drive had left and she went to ask the technician. She reported back to me and said that it had 3-4 years left. I said well just do the reinstall and get it overwith. She then said that there was a problem with my hard drive, and that it needed to be replaced, and that it wouldn't boot up until it was. I'm confused how the hard drive could be good for another 3-4 years yet not allow me to use my computer?

replace harddisk? resinstall can't be done? unable to save your data?

What the heck happened!!??? System was booting when you gave it to them. At least it found some files. They're talking shit.... unless harddrive went faulty on transport to them

 

[gregrocker]

I gave you all of the steps needed to rescue your data and try everything possible to Repair the OS, even diagnose your HD if indicated. We can still help you do these things if you can get the PC back from the Repair Maw in one piece.

recovery disc and repair disc are the same!

A Recovery Disk set is used only to restore an OEM PC to factory condition. Most need to made by the owner, ideally when setting up the PC.

A System Repair Disk is a Win7 boot disk used to run Repairs when the OS will not boot, including Startup Repair, System Restore, Windows Memory Diagnostics, or System Image Recovery from a stored backup image.

 

[EmDubYa]

So today I had a technician at my university look at it. Of course, I had to check my laptop in and whatnot, but they called me back once I got to my dorm. The mouthpiece, as I like to call her, informed me that the technician said that he was trying to boot up under a different OS and extracting my data, but that wasn't working. I was then asked by the mouthpiece if I wanted to just clean install, obviously all my info would be lost. I said, "Let me think about that, and then I'll call you back." So, I deliberated and called them back when she then told me that the reinstall couldn't be done. Somehow, I asked the question of how much longer my hard drive had left and she went to ask the technician. She reported back to me and said that it had 3-4 years left. I said well just do the reinstall and get it overwith. She then said that there was a problem with my hard drive, and that it needed to be replaced, and that it wouldn't boot up until it was. I'm confused how the hard drive could be good for another 3-4 years yet not allow me to use my computer?

replace harddisk? resinstall can't be done? unable to save your data?

What the heck happened!!??? System was booting when you gave it to them. At least it found some files. They're talking shit.... unless harddrive went faulty on transport to them

I had a morning class, and took it with me, but it wasn't slung around and I carried it in my laptop bag. Unless they just go faulty for no apparent reason, but I think they're talking out of their asses. Then again, I'm not big into computers so I'm not totally sure.

 

[EmDubYa]

And greg, it looks like I'll just have to follow your suggested tutorials and see if I can do this myself. I guess if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself...or at least try to anyway.

 

[gregrocker]

Good. First thing to do is to boot into BIOS setup to see if HD is listed under Storage devices. Do this by tapping the key given on first screen for BIOS setup or similar.

Next boot the PC and report back what it says exactly.

 

[EmDubYa]

Good. First thing to do is to boot into BIOS setup to see if HD is listed under Storage devices. Do this by tapping the key given on first screen for BIOS setup or similar.

Next boot the PC and report back what it says exactly.

I'll definitely get on that when I get back to my dorm. Had to go to another part of campus to use their computers for a research paper and to update you guys. And I believe my BIOS settings our F2, but I'll know for sure in a bit! Thanks once again!!!!!

 

[EmDubYa]

Like I said, I'm not very computer saavy so please bare with me. So I opened BIOS and didn't specifically see storage devices, but it listed my SATA ports?
SATA Port 1 - [ST9750400A5-(S1)]
SATA Port 2 - [None]
SATA Port 3 -[None]
SATA Port 4 - [TSSTcorpCDDVDW TS-L]

And in boot order it listed USB HDD first while the IDE HDD as second, and I could continue if need be?