cannot boot computer-PC can't seem to recognize OS

[ramblinflebro]

In the process of trying to create a dual booting system, all I have managed to do is create one big mess. I cannot boot up my machine. The only way I can boot up is by using Paragon Recovery Media. I put in the Paragon disk and it ask me what I want it do? I select find OS'es on my computer. In another window it shows Win 7. I click on that and my machine boots right up. This is the only way to boot my computer. I have tried re-installing the OS. I can't do a 'clean' install because my machine won't boot up. I have tried everything I know, I am totally stumped. I ran CHKDSK, no problems there. Can someone please help me?

 

[Carl Lawrence]

What happens when you turn your PC?

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi ramblinflebro, welcome to the forums

Once booted, open up Command Prompt (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories) by right clicking and 'Run as administrator'. Next, type sfc /scannow

This will scan your system files for changes and integrity issues and restore any corrupt/damaged files. After rebooting it should be ok from there on.

Hope this helps


OS

 

[ramblinflebro]

Are you asking, What happens when I turn on my machine? The HP logo pops up as usual. The all I get is a black screen with a cursor flashing in the upper left hand corner. I then insert the Paragon Recovery Disk which locates the OS and boots up with no problem. it seem s my pc can't find the OS to bootup.

 

[whs]

My guess would be that the MBR is messed up. What is the second system in the dual boot - Linux?

 

[ramblinflebro]

Thank you Orbital Shark, I did as you suggested, and this was what appeared after the scan "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations." I guess that means everything is supposed to be ok. Thanks again.

 

[ramblinflebro]

whs, Yes, I wanted to try Linux Mint. Just about a year ago I triple booted with Vista Win 7 and Ubuntu. This time I used Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite as I had in the past. No problems then but total chaos now. Can you tell me how to find MBR and any suggetions on how to fix it? Thanks

 

[whs]

There is a whole selection of threads on this Forum on how to fix the MBR. Here are a couple of examples:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20864-mbr-restore-windows-7-master-boot-record.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/17521-how-fix-mbr-through-command-prompt.html

 

[sandman]

I just ran into one that wouldn't boot and nothing would fix the issue turned out to be bad hard drive were the boot manager or sector are written changed the hard drive and did a restored and all was well. I found it out by booting to Lucky puppy and it told me the boot sectors were corrupt thanks to Linux I figured out the problem and saved my data. Might not be the same with your problem but it something to look into.

 

[ramblinflebro]

I want to thank everyone here for their input. I just said to heck with it. I wiped my hard drive clean with the Paragon hard disk manager and did a clean install. That opened another whole can of worms. Windows told me my activation key was only good for an upgrade. I have done a few recoveries since I purchased Win 7. This was the first time I encountered this problem. When I bought it I thought the gentleman on the other end clearly understood I did not want an upgrade. Oh well, Microsoft has a work around this problem, a very looooooong process. I am back up and running, and would like to say thanks again. Hopefully, I can be of some help to someone someday.

 

[gregrocker]

You needed to boot the WIn7 DVD, mark Win7 partition active, then run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

That and the workaround to clean install an Upgrade version to wiped HD are probably the two most frequently given fixes here.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Glad you got it running. Hope you didn't lose any files.

 

[ramblinflebro]

Thanks gregrocker, I have saved the links you provided, I am positive I will need them in the future. The process Microsoft put me through to activate my copy of 7 was like Chinese water torture. Anything of value is kept on an external HD. Thanks agsin.