Solved Startup Repair Infinite Loop (Gateway NV55sO5u laptop)(Windows 7)

[samcham]

It started when I was browsing the internet yesterday, my computer started to hiccup, and it eventually froze. I tried everything I could but I ended up shutting it down entirely using the power button. Later that night I tried to boot it up, and it came up with the 2 options, try startup repair, or start windows normally. I tried starting it up normally first, but at the "starting windows" screen, it flashed the blue screen for a millisecond, and It rebooted automatically, bringing me back to the screen with the 2 options. This time I tried to run startup repair, it brought me to "windows is loading files". After this, the screen goes black, and does nothing. I left it on the blackscreen overnight to see if anything would happen, but nothing did. I then created a repair disc using my other computer, but booting it from that yielded the exact same results. I have windows 7. Please help me, I have over 3000$ of software on this laptop, and I can't afford to lose it.

 

[gregrocker]

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? If not reinstall it to see if you can get it to appear. If not replace it.

If HD appears, test the HD and RAM, then proceed with the other steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

If BIOS balks reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

 

[samcham]

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? If not reinstall it to see if you can get it to appear. If not replace it.

If HD appears, test the HD and RAM, then proceed with the other steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

If BIOS balks reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

How do I find out if the HD is detected? I can get into the BIOS setup, but I'm not sure how to check for that. And if it is detected, how do I run a test on it?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you boot into BIOS setup using the key given for that on the first screen to see if you can see the HD, listed under Storage devices or in BIOS boot order? It will often be listed as a serial number which if you google it will tell you the make or model.

HD Diagnostics are in the blue link tutorial along with everything else that can be done to start Win7 once you confirm the HD is detected.

 

[samcham]

Did you boot into BIOS setup using the key given for that on the first screen to see if you can see the HD, listed under Storage devices or in BIOS boot order? It will often be listed as a serial number which if you google it will tell you the make or model.

HD Diagnostics are in the blue link tutorial along with everything else that can be done to start Win7 once you confirm the HD is detected.

Ok, this is the boot order, with all the exact serial numbers, devices etc.. Are any of these the HD?

1. HDD: WDC WD6400BPVT-22HXZT1
2. ATAPI CD/DVD ROM: MATSHITADVD-RAM UJ8AOAS
3. USB FDD:
4. Network Boot: BRCM MBA Slot 0100 v14.4.5
5. USB HDD
6. USB CD/DVD ROM:

This is the entire boot order as is.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, the HDD is the first listing there.

Have you tried unplugging your PC and battery, holding power button for 30 seconds, then plugging back in the AC to see if it will start.

If not work through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

 

[samcham]

So, following your tutorial, I created a disk for windows defender offline first. I booted it up on my laptop, and it got to a screen that said "Windows defender offline", with a loading bar underneath, but it ended up freezing after 10 minutes. So I tried a different rescue disk, which gave me the same exact results. I'm starting to think that this Laptop is beyond saving.. Murphy's Law hasn't been kind to me

 

[gregrocker]

Reset the BIOS to defaults. Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight to test it.

Pull your HD out again and try booting these disks. If they will boot without the HD or in another pC then I would slave the HD to another PC to rescue your files and then wipe it from Windows with Diskpart Clean Command so that it clears boot code which may be blocking the disks from booting. Then you can Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[samcham]

Reset the BIOS to defaults. Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight to test it.

Pull your HD out again and try booting these disks. If they will boot without the HD or in another pC then I would slave the HD to another PC to rescue your files and then wipe it from Windows with Diskpart Clean Command so that it clears boot code which may be blocking the disks from booting. Then you can Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I finally got it to boot doing those steps, and everything is back to factory settings. I tested my RAM and nothing was found wrong. My files are saved on my desktop now, and my laptop is fully functioning! Thank you so much for your help. Saved me hundreds, I guarantee it.

 

[gregrocker]

Except that Factory Recovery is the worst possible install you can have. You'll never even experience Win7 until you do a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

For now you can recover some performance lost to the bloatware and duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7 by Cleaning Up Factory Bloatware