Can't boot after recent windows update

[sanghai]

So today windows update notified me of some new updates (about 30mb or so) and like I normally do I installed them. However, upon restarting the computer,it just got stuck at the Starting Windows boot screen. However, the animation with the colourful windows logo DID NOT show up, it was simply a black screen with the two words: Starting Windows.

I have tried the startup repair tool - nothing. Chkdsk found no errors as well. When I tried to system restore, I could see a list of previous restores, but each one of them gives me an error at the end of the restore. If needed I can post the error code and the error messages if there are any. I have also tried going into safe mode, but it just hangs at the screen where it says "Loading windows files" at the top.

I highly suspect that the recent batch of updates is the culprit, since this failure to boot rose right after I installed them. Luckily I can access all the files when I plug the HDD into a different computer, so I have been able to backup my important files. Can anybody suggest any other methods whereby I can rollback the recent updates I installed? Unfortunately I do not have a windows backup (totally my fault). If not, I guess a fresh install would be my last resort.

 

[Bill2]

Try the system restore and startup repair from a win7 install dvd.

What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

if you dont have a win7 dvd, you can do the same from a system repair disk.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Another option is to fix startup by rebuilding bcd or the bootsect command.

How to Solve BCD Corruption in Windows 7 - Windows Data Recovery Software

How to repair MBR on Windows 7 | eHow.com

 

[id1412]

I have got the same issue! A few hours ago I normally updated Windows and restart computer as notified and requested, then the computer cannot boot?? There are 2 notifications on Window boot screen: Start-up repair and Start windows normally.

I even tried start up repair, system restore8 (to the time before this update) in win7 dvd, chkdsk, boot to safe mode but all do not work. Now I have to use Mini xp to rescure private data and Norton ghost to back up Windows.

Agreed with sanghai, I believe this problem caused by recent Updates since we got same situation!!

 

[theog]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[pebbly]

If anyone else has this problem the first thing to do is go into safe mode ,then device manager, network adaptors ,highlight any device close device manager then restart windows I cannot tell you why this works but it does I have fixed 5 different comps for friends this way All after patch Tuesday this month and last

 

[id1412]

Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.

I did startup repairs more than 4 times, but always got the notification: Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically.

If anyone else has this problem the first thing to do is go into safe mode ,then device manager, network adaptors ,highlight any device close device manager then restart windows I cannot tell you why this works but it does I have fixed 5 different comps for friends this way All after patch Tuesday this month and last

I did try boot to Safe mode many times, but it loaded some files then hang up and computer restart

 

[WDAexodus]

I have a friend that has the exact same thing happening with her XP machine. Same exact symptoms. She said that she got the update message, restarted her pc and then lock up at the Windows XP graphic. She can start in safe mode fine though. Definately something was put out corrupt.

 

[WDAexodus]

Found some other threads with people stating the same issues.

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/144007-windows-7-problem.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/143920-win7-startup-problem.html#post1237555

 

[sanghai]

I tried to system repair numerous times with no success.

I tried to repair the MBR and BCD and it still won't boot.

I can't get into safe mode, screen is just stuck at "Windows Loading Files"

I might just have to bite the bullet and do a reformat and a clean install....

 

[Brink]

Hello Sanghai,

If you decide to reinstall, then you might consider doing a custom install if you have data on the drive that you wish to try and save.

It's like a clean install except that it will copy your current installation into a C:\Windows.old folder during the new installation. After the installation is finished, you will be able to copy the contents of the C:\Windows.old folder back into the new installation. When finishe, you can delete the C:\Windows.old folder to regain the HDD space used by it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sanghai]

Thanks Brink for the suggestion. May I ask, what are the contents inside the windows.old folder? Is it just the C:\Windows folder from the previous installation? Or are there also the other folders inside the C drive, such as the Program Files or Users folder(s)?

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sanghai.

It's a complete copy of your current Windows 7 installation with all files.

 

[SIW2]

You shouldn't need to reinstall .

Boot to the sys recovery options command prompt.

Type :

diskpart

(then press enter)

lis vol

( then press enter. Find you windows 7 partition driveletter - it may be different from how you see it in windows)

exit

( to leave diskpart )

Then type (Replace z: below with your windows drive letter)

cd /d z:\windows\system32

(then press enter)

DISM /image:z:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

( then press enter - you should get a message asking you to reboot )

 

[sanghai]

Ok firstly, it looks like the custom install does not work as well. In the tutorial you posted earlier Brink, I get up to step 11, but when the computer restarts, I get a black screen, with no cursor or anything at all.

Would you still recommend me to follow SIW2's instructions? Even though my previous windows installation should now be in windows.old, with my current installation half complete and not usable at all.

Sigh...

 

[Brink]

Yeah, give SIW2's suggestion a try to see if it may be able to help.

 

[HJay]

You shouldn't need to reinstall .

Boot to the sys recovery options command prompt.

Type :

diskpart

(then press enter)

lis vol

( then press enter. Find you windows 7 partition driveletter - it may be different from how you see it in windows)

exit

( to leave diskpart )

Then type (Replace z: below with your windows drive letter)

cd /d z:\windows\system32

(then press enter)

DISM /image:z:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

( then press enter - you should get a message asking you to reboot )

I have done this twice, I didn't get a message asking to reboot but I did anyway. No change.

I do get a message that says " The scratch directory size may be insufficient to perform this operation. This can cause unexpected behavior.
Use the /ScratchDir option to point to a folder with sufficent scratch space. The recomended size is at least 1024 MB"

I am totally out of my depth what should I do? I am running, or was running, Windows 7 Pro 32bit, upgraded from Windows Vista Business

Help much apprecieated as I have already reinstalled the OS once only to have the same thing happen again after the update