Can't boot my PC now

[EllisDeTripp]

My wife did something on her PC (she doesn't know exactly for sure what & can't explain it completely me), and now she can't boot up her PC. She says it had something to do with changing the security settings for a program she uses a lot so it wouldn't keep asking her if she wanted to launch it, and that's when it told her to restart the PC, then it wouldn't boot up anymore.

When you reboot, the screen eventually goes to a black screen saying "Windows failed to start. A software or hardware error may be the cause" or something to that effect. It offers me the option to "Launch Startup Repair" or "Start Windows Normally".

If I Launch Startup Repair, nothing much happens --- it says it's adding files, then it looks like Windows is about to boot up, then it goes to a black screen for a long time & nothing happens.

If I choose Start Windows Normally, it simply reboots & eventually brings me back to the same screen again.

I've tried using rebooting and selecting ESC to get to the boot menu, then installing the Win 7 installation disc & selecting the DVD drive, then I select the language, then I click Repair, but it sits there forever with nothing happening.

I also tried an outside boot disc I found on the web & it doesn't launch.

Any suggestions? This PC is a quad core AMD & only a few months old with proper AV software & scanning done nightly.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Have you considered a Repair Install?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Failing that, you may have to consider a clean install of Windows.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[writhziden]

Since it does not sound like you can get into Windows to do a repair install, may I recommend clearing all corruption from the temporary memory and resetting the BIOS hardware/software connections. This will sometimes allow a user to at least access the recovery options:

1. Shut down and turn off the computer.
2. Unplug the computer from the wall or surge protector (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
3. "Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station, disconnect
   cables to printers or devices such as external monitors, USB memory sticks or SD cards, headset or external speakers, mouse or auxiliary keyboard, turn off WIFI and Bluetooth wireless devices." (Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC series - HP Customer Care (United States - English))
4. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This closes the circuit and ensures all
   power from components is drained to clear the software connections between the BIOS
   and hardware and clear any corruption in the temporary memory.
5. (If it is a laptop, plug the battery back into the laptop and then) Plug the computer back into the wall. Do not reconnect any unnecessary peripherals; monitor, keyboard,
   and mouse should suffice and be the only peripherals reconnected.
6. Turn it on to reinitialize the software connections between the BIOS and hardware

Let us know if you can then get into the recovery options. If you can, follow the steps for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

If you cannot, you will need to find a way to backup any important data. See if other boot media will work:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

PartedMagic

Rescue Kit Free Edition - CNET Download.com

Hiren's BootCD

 

[FaberTech]

Press F8 continuously while the computer is booting up until you get a menu. Select Safe-mode and see Windows boots all the way. If it does, it could be a driver issue. If you can get into safe mode, try running system restore. Also, In the installation DVD, If it is sitting in automatic repair mode and nothing is happening, then try canceling automatic repair and select command prompt. Type "bootrec /fixboot" and hit enter. Then type "bootrec /fixmbr" and hit enter. Then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" and hit enter. exit command prompt and reboot your computer. If it still has trouble booting try running the auto repair again. It shouldn't hang the next time.

 

[EllisDeTripp]

Neither of these options will work because I can't get the Win 7 installation disc to work, much less get to a Windows menu to do anything. What happens now is that I have to click ESC to get to the boot menu, then I click "boot from DVD", then the DVD starts and I select the language, then I select "Repair", It then goes to the blue Win 7 default background screen and nothing else is happens. It has stayed on that screen for about 3 horus with nothing happening before, and now I'm going to let it sit overnight & see what happens.

She has a lot of info on her PC that she cannot afford to lose and her last backup was some weeks ago as she wasn't checking to ensure that the backup software was getting a good backup each week, so any solution needs to be one that preserves the info on her hard drive.

 

[EllisDeTripp]

I'm going to try this solution below next for sure. I'm currently going to try waiting out the Win 7 installation disc process and see if it takes all night to start working, unless you think that it's futile to continue waiting for that solution, i.e., it's not going to work.

Since it does not sound like you can get into Windows to do a repair install, may I recommend clearing all corruption from the temporary memory and resetting the BIOS hardware/software connections. This will sometimes allow a user to at least access the recovery options:

1. 
   
2. Shut down and turn off the computer.
   
3. Unplug the computer from the wall or surge protector (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
   
4. "Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station, disconnect
   cables to printers or devices such as external monitors, USB memory sticks or SD cards, headset or external speakers, mouse or auxiliary keyboard, turn off WIFI and Bluetooth wireless devices." (Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC series - HP Customer Care (United States - English))
   
5. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This closes the circuit and ensures all
   power from components is drained to clear the software connections between the BIOS
   and hardware and clear any corruption in the temporary memory.
   
6. (If it is a laptop, plug the battery back into the laptop and then) Plug the computer back into the wall. Do not reconnect any unnecessary peripherals; monitor, keyboard,
   and mouse should suffice and be the only peripherals reconnected.
   
7. Turn it on to reinitialize the software connections between the BIOS and hardware
   

Let us know if you can then get into the recovery options. If you can, follow the steps for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

If you cannot, you will need to find a way to backup any important data. See if other boot media will work:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

PartedMagic

Rescue Kit Free Edition - CNET Download.com

Hiren's BootCD

 

[EllisDeTripp]

F8 gets me nothing. The only options I can choose that do anything are ESC to go to the boot menu, or DEL to go to the BIOS info.

Press F8 continuously while the computer is booting up until you get a menu. Select Safe-mode and see Windows boots all the way. If it does, it could be a driver issue. If you can get into safe mode, try running system restore. Also, In the installation DVD, If it is sitting in automatic repair mode and nothing is happening, then try canceling automatic repair and select command prompt. Type "bootrec /fixboot" and hit enter. Then type "bootrec /fixmbr" and hit enter. Then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" and hit enter. exit command prompt and reboot your computer. If it still has trouble booting try running the auto repair again. It shouldn't hang the next time.

 

[FaberTech]

If you are having trouble reading the DVD, you could always try this solution and boot from USB if you can get on another computer. Good luck. Make sure you are pressing F8 continuously until you see the MBR menu. It should show up if you say you can see start windows normally and such.

Maximum PC | How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key!

writhziden solution is a good idea as well. so try both if you cant get it to work.

 

[karlsnooks]

EllisDeTripp,

To avoid marital discord:

Boot from your Win 7 DVD.
Go to a command prompt.
(writeup follows)

Have her, and not you, copy over what she wants to save to a usb stick.

After doing all of that, and while at a command prompt, using DiskPart's CLEAN ALL command prepare the disk.

Now carry on with the install.
======================================================================
GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING YOUR WIN 7 DVD


Booting from a DVD/CD
On some computers, immediately after pushing the Power ON button, start tapping the F12 key and choose the option to boot from DVD/CD.

On some computers, this capability is assigned to another function key.

This is a one-time boot and doesn’t change your normal boot sequence.

If your computer doesn’t offer this capability, then you will need to boot into the bios and change the boot order there so that Boot from DVD/CD is the first choice.

You will need to consult your computer manufacturer’s documentation.

STEPS TO BOOT TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING A WIN 7 DVD
Ø Insert your Win 7 DVD into the optical reader
Ø Power down your computer.
Ø Power up your computer.
Ø Boot from the Win 7 DVD using the procedure applicable to your computer.
Ø When the following is displayed on your screen,
press the key combo of SHIFT + F10.

Do NOT click on Next.
Press the SHIFT + F10 key combo.

You will have a X:\Sources> command prompt.
X: is a ram drive created by Windows 7.
X: contains a mini-version of Windows 7 called a PE (pre-execution environment).

If you do not plan on installing windows at this time, you may now remove the DVD.

If you plan on continuing with an install, then do not remove the DVD.

Execute the desired commands.
Use the EXIT command to return to the Win 7 installation procedure.


=====================================================



Prepare hard disk for use



type DISKPART and hit ENTER
the prompt will change to DISKPART>


Enter following commands:
LIST DISK
this will list the disks

SELECT DISK 1
to select Disk 1 (if that's the disk you want)
DETAIL DISK
to make sure that you've got the correct disk
CLEAN ALL
this will write zeroes to each and every byte on the selected disk
this can take some time and there will be no progress indication
you must simply wait for the diskpart prompt to appear again
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
this will create the entire disk as a single primary partition
FORMAT FS=NTFS
this is going to format the entire disk and will also take some time
ACTIVE
this will let the disk be used as a system disk if you ever decide that you would like to install an operating system on the disk
ASSIGN
the next available drive letter is assigned to the disk
EXIT
exit from DiskPart
EXIT
exit from the command shell

Your disk is now ready to use.

 

[slurp812]

Can you boot a windows type of CD, like BartPE or even mini windows in Hirens? Something to rule out hardware issues.

 

[karlsnooks]

forget those:

Boot from your Win 7 DVD.

 

[writhziden]

Karl, I agree, a Windows 7 disc is the best choice if the user can get it to run. I am a little concerned about the command prompt method of backing up files, though. For the average user, this is a bit intimidating and some important files may be missed. Greg's tutorial that I linked to earlier, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html, contains links that lead to a method for backing up data that is a little more user friendly. For convenience, I will link directly to the user friendly backup method here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

 

[karlsnooks]

let us await the user.

 

[EllisDeTripp]

Safe mode options don't work

I had said earlier that I couldn't get into safe mode, but I essentially laid on the F8 and it came up. I then tried virtually every option in Safe mode and it looks like it's going to work, then it simply reboots each time.

Press F8 continuously while the computer is booting up until you get a menu. Select Safe-mode and see Windows boots all the way. If it does, it could be a driver issue. If you can get into safe mode, try running system restore. Also, In the installation DVD, If it is sitting in automatic repair mode and nothing is happening, then try canceling automatic repair and select command prompt. Type "bootrec /fixboot" and hit enter. Then type "bootrec /fixmbr" and hit enter. Then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" and hit enter. exit command prompt and reboot your computer. If it still has trouble booting try running the auto repair again. It shouldn't hang the next time.

 

[EllisDeTripp]

CD/DVD drive not read on rescue CD's

I first tried turning off the power & unplugging everything & holding the power button for 30 secs & that didn't work.

I then tried downloading some rescue CD's using the links you provided. The PC won't read them. The only CD/DVD that it will read is the Win 7 disc, and it doesn't work --- I tried leaving it running in the repair mode all night and nothign happened --- I still see the simply the default Win 7 blue background on the screen and nothing else except the mouse pointer/cursor.

Is there any other way to access a rescue program other than a CD/DVD? What about an external drive? She has an external drive I could hook up to my PC & download a bootable program there, then select that drive to boot from if that would work.

Since it does not sound like you can get into Windows to do a repair install, may I recommend clearing all corruption from the temporary memory and resetting the BIOS hardware/software connections. This will sometimes allow a user to at least access the recovery options:

1. 
   
2. Shut down and turn off the computer.
   
3. Unplug the computer from the wall or surge protector (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
   
4. "Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station, disconnect
   cables to printers or devices such as external monitors, USB memory sticks or SD cards, headset or external speakers, mouse or auxiliary keyboard, turn off WIFI and Bluetooth wireless devices." (Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC series - HP Customer Care (United States - English))
   
5. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This closes the circuit and ensures all
   power from components is drained to clear the software connections between the BIOS
   and hardware and clear any corruption in the temporary memory.
   
6. (If it is a laptop, plug the battery back into the laptop and then) Plug the computer back into the wall. Do not reconnect any unnecessary peripherals; monitor, keyboard,
   and mouse should suffice and be the only peripherals reconnected.
   
7. Turn it on to reinitialize the software connections between the BIOS and hardware
   

Let us know if you can then get into the recovery options. If you can, follow the steps for http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

If you cannot, you will need to find a way to backup any important data. See if other boot media will work:

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

PartedMagic

Rescue Kit Free Edition - CNET Download.com

Hiren's BootCD

 

[EllisDeTripp]

backing up files

My main concern is backing up the files that (I hope) still exist on the PC. I could reload all the programs & files later if I needed to wipe the drive clean afterward. However, I can't seem to get the PC to boot from any source yet.

Karl, I agree, a Windows 7 disc is the best choice if the user can get it to run. I am a little concerned about the command prompt method of backing up files, though. For the average user, this is a bit intimidating and some important files may be missed. Greg's tutorial that I linked to earlier, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html, contains links that lead to a method for backing up data that is a little more user friendly. For convenience, I will link directly to the user friendly backup method here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

 

[EllisDeTripp]

I can get in the BIOS setup & when I look under System Info, the IDE Master shows "Not Detected", which I assume means it isn't detecting the hard drive.

 

[writhziden]

I assume this is a laptop? I wonder if you have an intermittent hard disk connection... The first thing to check is whether the hard disk is physically connected to the motherboard properly. To do so:

• Shut down and turn off the computer
• Remove the AC Adapter
• Remove the battery
• Hold down the power button for 15-30 seconds to close the circuit and drain any residual power
• Remove the panel on the underside of the laptop where the hard disk is housed
• Remove and re-insert the hard disk by sliding it away from the connector and then gently but firmly pressing it back into the connector (no screws should need to be removed to do this step)
• Replace the panel on the underside of the laptop to cover the hard disk
• Replace the battery
• Replace the AC Adapter
• Turn on the computer and see how it responds

Post back once these steps have been implemented whether the system is able to boot. Sometimes these problems can occur due to a loose connection.

 

[Kaktussoft]

When you reboot, the screen eventually goes to a black screen saying "Windows failed to start. A software or hardware error may be the cause" or something to that effect.

What is exactly there?? there must be some extra information!!

 

[Kaktussoft]

I had said earlier that I couldn't get into safe mode, but I essentially laid on the F8 and it came up. I then tried virtually every option in Safe mode and it looks like it's going to work, then it simply reboots each time.

Press F8 continuously while the computer is booting up until you get a menu. Select Safe-mode and see Windows boots all the way. If it does, it could be a driver issue. If you can get into safe mode, try running system restore. Also, In the installation DVD, If it is sitting in automatic repair mode and nothing is happening, then try canceling automatic repair and select command prompt. Type "bootrec /fixboot" and hit enter. Then type "bootrec /fixmbr" and hit enter. Then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" and hit enter. exit command prompt and reboot your computer. If it still has trouble booting try running the auto repair again. It shouldn't hang the next time.

Press F8 again. do you see this?

as described on http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html

Do you see "repair your computer"?