Startup Repair problems?

Hi Chris -

Are you interested in learning how to do these things? If so, ask questions on what you don't understand instead of just ignoring the carefully presented steps to complain that they're too hard.

You don't have to lose any of your data if you copy it out using the Repair CD. There are pictures showing how this is done here: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

I would do that first.

You have already booted the Repair CD to attempt Startup Repair several times, correct? Well this time on the screen where it shows a Win7 installation to Repair, click on Load Drivers link to locate your files by clicking Computer, then C, then Users, then your User name, then whatever folders you have data in.

Copy each file you want by dragging it to the explorer bar at left and dropping it into the external HD, DVD or flash stick listed under Computer. If you have a bunch of files on, say, Documents then just drag the entire Documents folder to your external HD, DVD, or flash stick.

Next, if you will download and burn to CD free Partition Wizard bootable CD, boot it and post back a camera snap showing the drive map and listings (or typing out their labels) we can possibly see what is wrong and help you repair it better. Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

It's up to you. We assume you come here to learn enough to get things fixed.

Ok, that was much better thanks. It's a little clearer now. But I don't understand where the animosity is coming from. I am here to learn how to fix my problem. And I am totally appreciative. I did ask questions of what I didn't understand. And I didn't ignore the carefully presented steps. And I did not complain that it was too hard. I tried to use humor in this bad time, by saying I "no sabe" or "all greek to me"(meaning I didn't understand the steps, because I'm not that knowledgeable about computers. So sorry if you misunderstood me. And I did ask another pertinent question. What does a partition do, and what happens if it doesn't work, did I have to set it back. Or if it worked do I have to. I asked that because I could have sworn I read somewhere that it could cause problems. So all that, and you somehow thought I was being an ass, and not wanting to learn. Hmmm. Well thanks anyways. Sorry again. I will try your steps to the best of my ability, and hope it all goes well.

Either way, happy holidays to you.

Sato

Alright Gregrocker, probably tired of me. But just to let you know. I tried to copy files over. But I could not drag them to anywhere, it would just show a crossed out circle. Tried, to click, copy and paste to the DVD drive itself, but won't allow me to. All hope seems lost. But thanks anyways.

Sato

Chris, do you have factory-installed Win7? Did you make your Recovery Disks yet? If so you can boot them to reinstall to factory condition after retrieving your files.

If not, try running your Recovery Partition by pressing the key(s) given on first screen for Factory Recovery. If no key is given, look in the Manual on the Lenovo Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Often Factory Recovery will allow you to back up your files before restoring the computer to factory condition. If not use Paragon Rescue CD to see if files are retrievable.

If you have access to a Win7 install DVD you can also clean reinstall with the Product Key on your COA sticker: re-install windows 7

I am at my wits end. Did Paragon rescue kit, did recovery disks, did partitions wizard, did rebuild MBR, even tried power data recovery minitool, but they ask for money to buy a key. Not gonna do that, when I doubt it will work. Tried finding a key from Lenovo website. Could not find.

Might just have to bite the bullet, and consider my files lost. Gotta find my Windows 7 discs, since I downloaded it myself, it did not come installed.

This part confuses me...
"If not, try running your Recovery Partition by pressing the key(s) given on first screen for Factory Recovery. If no key is given, look in the Manual on the Lenovo Support Downloads webpage for your model." What key, what factory recovery screen. I am in way over my head on this one. This sucks.

Sato

We we need to be sure you are accessing the Repair console correctly on the Repair CD as it may be defaulting to a corrupted Win7 built-in Startup Repair. Does the Repair CD boot and proceed like this: Repair CD - System Repair Disk

If not download and burn another CD using ImgBurn at 4x speed, or burn one from any Win7 as shown here: System Repair Disc - Create

Once you access Startup Repair from CD, then run it at least three separate times with reboots to see if Win7 will start.

If it still won't start, boot into PW CD to see which partition is marked System and/or Active. Post back a camera snap or a list of partitions with the listings given on each so we can help you.

We need to see that either the 100mb System Reserved boot partition or Win7 partition are in fact marked Active. If not rightclick the 100mb or if not present Win7 partition itself, to Modify>Set to Active. Then boot into Repair CD again to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to see if it will start.

If Win7 will not start after 3 Startup Repairs with 100mb System Reserved partition marked Active, then boot back into PW CD to rightclick Win7 partition to Modify>Set Active to try running the 3 Repairs on it.

I am not sure why you can't copy out your data if you can see it. We've never seen it refuse to copy out using the Repair CD or Paragon Rescue CD once it is seen and appears intact. It may be that your Win7 is corrupted in a way that is blocking this. But you can try again.