cannot boot windows 7


  1. Posts : 15
    windows 7 home premium 64 bit.
       #1

    cannot boot windows 7


    i think i've been hit by a virus [not this computer] . i can't boot. i get a black screen with a flashing curser. i've tried many things with no result.
    when i gave up and start to reinstall windows i get a screen that asks me where i'd like to install windows. it shows me a small disk 0. then i get an option to install at a partition 2 PRIMARY that shows me total 296 [my 300 gb drive] and 185.3. this indicates, to me, that there is still something on my hard drive.
    is there any way that i can access this?
    any help is appreciated.

    dell xps 15z
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #2

    It seems that you have a disk problem, not hit by a virus.

    Boot from a Win 7 installation disk, go to repair and open a cmd window and type
    chkdsk c: /f

    To retrieve your data, my suggestion is to boot from a Linux flash drive, find your data unser \users\"name" and save to an external drive.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 15
    windows 7 home premium 64 bit.
    Thread Starter
       #3

    thanks!
    how do i get a linux flash drive?
    with data unser users\***
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #4

    Fist you must check your disk.
    Boot from a Win 7 installation disk, go to repair and open a cmd window and type
    chkdsk c: /f

    The Zorin Linux Download Zorin OS from SourceForge.net
    Burn a DVD or transfer to a USB flash drive using Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 15
    windows 7 home premium 64 bit.
    Thread Starter
       #5

    thank you! ill give it a shot.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #6

    Hi nushie,

    nushie said:
    How do I get a Linux flash drive?
    Another Linux alternative.

    NOTE: The light blue text are links to the relevant websites and programs, just click them!

    Win 7 System Recovery Options - Linux LIVE DVD Or USB

    You can create a Linux Live DVD or USB [this means that the Linux OS runs directly from the DVD or USB and not the HDD because it doesn't need installation]. This will read the HDD information which is inaccessible through Windows directly from the controller and is often a better solution in these types of situations. Another advantage of this is that you will have less activity on your HDD while you are trying to access it and retrieve [look at] the contents.

    Download the Linux ISO [I have used Linux Mint for this example] from here => Linux Mint.

    Now burn the ISO [you can't just copy and paste it because it won't work] to a DVD or USB.

    To burn the ISO to a DVD, you can use the Windows 7 built in ISO burner.
    To burn the ISO to a USB, you can either use Rufus 3.3 or Rufus 3.3 Portable.

    Using Rufus will ERASE ALL THE DATA on the USB, so make sure that you backup any data that you need FIRST. The USB MUST be bigger than the ISO file that you are burning.

    Now boot into the DVD or USB.

    Nothing will be installed to your HDD unless you specifically tell it to. You can now retrieve [look at] the contents of the HDD from within Linux. When you have finished and want to go back into Windows, just remove the DVD or USB, then Shutdown and Restart the computer.

    NOTE: I have used Linux Mint as an example. There are several other versions available which work in exactly the same way.

    When creating a Linux Live Bootable USB using Rufus, you can pretty much leave the default settings as they are. However, you may be confronted with some ERRORS. Here are the errors and the ways to overcome them:

    [1] If the message This image uses Syslinux x.xx/xxxxxxxx but this application only includes the installation files for Syslinux x.xx/xxxx-xx-xx appears, this is because the version of Linux that is being installed is newer that what Rufus is supporting by default. Click Yes to download the new files.
    [2] If the message ISOHybrid image detected appears, click OK.
    [3] If the message WARNING: ALL DATA ON DEVICE WILL BE DESTROYED appears, click OK.
    [4] If the message IMPORTANT: THIS DRIVE CONTAINS MULTIPLE PARTITIONS!! appears, click OK.
    [5] If the message Error: Could not open media. It may be in use by another process. Please re=plug the media and try again appears, click Close. You simply un-plug the USB and re-plug it back in and start again. This time it will work!

    Win 7 System Recovery Options - Linux LIVE DVD Or USB Alternative [Thanks to SIW2]

    This alternative is an easier way to create a Linux Live Bootable USB.

    To watch the full process click the YouTube link here => Embracing Linux: Bootable USB Drive.

    The Universal USB Installer can be downloaded from here => Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.8.3.

    I hope this helps!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #7

    Hi nushie, did you have any luck sorting it out?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 64 bit and Windows 7 32 bit
       #8

    Megahertz07 said:
    Fist you must check your disk.
    Boot from a Win 7 installation disk, go to repair and open a cmd window and type
    chkdsk c: /f
    How to Make Bootable USB Flash Drive on Windows 10/8/7
    Burn a DVD or transfer to a USB flash drive using Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way
    I did it on my computer,burning a USB flash drive to boot computer is more effective.
      My Computer


 

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