Windows won't boot even in safe mode

[martin789]

Windows7 won't start on my laptop Samsung RF711. Initially I was able to open safe mode and tried to scan with Malwarebytes anti malware. In the middle of scanning my comp rebooted (having found 3 objects by then). I did it once again and same thing happened and since then i havent been able to open safe mode anymore (it freezes). "Repair" doesn't work either, it also rebooted and since then has been freezing. I also tried "last good configuration" (or something like that) but didn't help either. What should I do?

 

[mitchell65]

Hi Martin789 and welcome to the Forum.
Before you do anything else have you got any data on the laptop that you need to keep. If yes have you got access to another computer, if yes then download a copy of Linux Ubuntu from here:
Download Ubuntu Desktop | Download | Ubuntu
and create a disc . With this you should be able to use Ubuntu from the disc, no need to install and then gain access to your data on the hard drive. You will then be able to copy that data to an external source so that will be safe. Then if you finish up doing a clean install of Windows your data will be safe.

 

[martin789]

Thank you so much for the reply but I don't understand what "create a disc" means. I'm not good at computers so please explain. Also my laptop has no CD drive.
I do not have any super important data on the broken laptop but would like to retrieve some of it if possible.

 

[michael diemer]

"Create a disc" means burn an ISO image of Ubuntu, which you then run live as above. If you don't have a CD/DVD in your computer, you can use a flash drive to burn the image. If no repair options work, you may need to reinstall Windows. You can do this without destroying your files, by selecting the "upgrade" option when installing. Windows will then assume you are upgrading, like from Vista to Seven, for example. It will preserve your files, but you will need to reinstall your programs.

A better option is a system image restoration, but you would have had to have made a system image first. If not, then the first option. But I would wait for more knowledgeable folks to chime in here, there could be an easier way to do this.

 

[mitchell65]

martin789, The important thing at the moment is as I asked before "Have you got access to another computer?"

 

[whs]

If it helps - here is one of my older tutorials on how to create a data recovery disc. I used Mint Mate but if you prefer Ubuntu, the procedure is the same.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

And as Mitch asks, you need a running PC to do it.

 

[martin789]

martin789, The important thing at the moment is as I asked before "Have you got access to another computer?"

Yes, I do have access to 2 other laptops

 

[martin789]

If it helps - here is one of my older tutorials on how to create a data recovery disc. I used Mint Mate but if you prefer Ubuntu, the procedure is the same.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

And as Mitch asks, you need a running PC to do it.

Thank you. I will follow your tutorial. I will use Ubuntu as it takes much more time to download mint mate.

 

[martin789]

I have followed the tutorial, opened Ubuntu on the broken laptop and now I can see my files. How do I copy them to pendrive?

 

[whs]

I would use copy/paste. Finding the pendrive in Ubuntu may require a bit of footwork.

 

[martin789]

Yes, the problem is I don't know where to paste them.

Edit: I think ive found the pendrive but when copying there it says it wont copy as I dont have permission to create a folder there (or sth like that)

Also, when booting ubuntu theres a menu where I'm selecting "try ubuntu without installing" but theres also "check disc for defects" - should I use that?

 

[mitchell65]

I'm confused here. You say you have

followed the tutorial, opened Ubuntu on the broken laptop and now I can see my files. How do I copy them to pendrive?

But in the post above #11 you say

when booting ubuntu theres a menu where I'm selecting "try ubuntu without installing" but theres also "check disc for defects" - should I use that?

Can you confirm that you definitely have Ubuntu running from the pendrive and you can see your data files?
Are you trying to copy the data files onto the pendrive that you are using to run Ubuntu. It looks like that to me! As WHS says in his tutorial. You need a second pendrive to copy your files to.

 

[martin789]

I do use a 2nd pendrive but I can't see it in ubuntu. I probably did try (unintentionally) to copy files to the wrong pendrive (I thought it's the 2nd one).

Here is exactly what I'm doing:

I plug in the pendrive with ubuntu,
start the comp
press Esc

then a menu opens which says "select boot device" and gives the following options:
P2: TSSTcorp DVDWBD TS-LB23A
P0: SAMSUNG HN-M500MBB
USB Flash Memory PMAP (or sth like that, thats what I select)
P1: SAMSUNG HN-M500MBB

then another menu opens which says "installer boot menu" and gives the following options:
Try Ubuntu without installing (thats what I select)
Istall Ubuntu
Check disc for defects
Test memory
Boot from first hard disc
Advanced options (it;s empty)
Help

then Ubuntu opens

I can see folders with my data some of which I'd like to copy

then I plug in 2nd pendrive but nothing happens and I can't find it in devices (I can only find the pendrive with Ubuntu located in Computer-->Media-->cdrom)

the second pendrive works on other laptop and the usb port also works for sure

so I can see my data files but I can't see the 2nd pendrive to where I'd like to copy them

 

[mitchell65]

Give the second pendrive a distinctive name so that it is easy to recognise then plug it into a USB slot whilst still in Windows and before booting Ubuntu. When that pendrive is recognised in Windows go through the motions to boot up Ubuntu. Then you should see the second pendrive in Ubuntu. Then use the select, copy then paste to put the folders and files onto the pendrive.

 

[martin789]

The previous problem is gone (i can see the 2nd pendrive now) but theres a new one.

I copied files to the 2nd pendrive, then uplugged it, plugged it to the other comp BUT it now says the disc is damaged (it was not prior to that) and has to be formatted, I formatted it then the disc seems to be working again, I tried to copy files again on the broken comp and then again i wasnt able to open them on the other comp, again it requests formatting and says its damaged.

 

[mitchell65]

I assume you followed my advice given in post #14? Did you just unplug the pendrive from the PC without going through the "Safely remove USB stick" procedure? What file format did you use when you formatted the pendrive?

 

[martin789]

I assume you followed my advice given in post #14? Did you just unplug the pendrive from the PC without going through the "Safely remove USB stick" procedure? What file format did you use when you formatted the pendrive?

Thank you, now I have copied my data successfully to the other comp. I didnt safely remove previously.

What should I do now to reinstall Windows? I have found a tutorial but cant understand it. I have a preinstalled windows 7 on the broken comp. I do have a product key and a 4GB usb drive.

 

[mitchell65]

Which Tutorial are you looking at?

 

[martin789]

Which Tutorial are you looking at?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164
Do I understand it correctly that I will not be able to download an ISO?

 

[mitchell65]

Go to here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7
Type in your licence key and see if it is accepted.