Can't boot my PC now

[EllisDeTripp]

No, it's a desktop/tower

It's a desktop/tower, not a laptop.

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.

 

[EllisDeTripp]

Yes, I can get the Safe mode menu to appear, and I've tried every option on there and it simply tries to start Windows, but then it reboots again, unless i tell it to not auto-start after a boot failure, in which case I get the "BSOD".

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"?

 

[EllisDeTripp]

In an earlier post, I said that it offers me the option to "Launch Startup Repair" or "Start Windows Normally" after it tells me that Windows failed to start. I could write down & post word-for-word what it says, but that's the gist of it & there's nothing else telling me any info other to do or what's happened.

I found it curious that in the BIOS it doesn't show an IDE Master or Slave drive.

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.

Please confirm that safe mode is actually starting. It is displaying some windows stuff and then reboots. Correct? If so MBR and bootsector and bootmenu are fine (most likely). Windows starts... but crashes.

Perform a "system restore" from "recovery environment"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html Option Two

 

[EllisDeTripp]

Yes, I can get to the Safe Mode menu. I've tried every option on that menu and they all try to start Windows, then it auto reboots after about 30 secs, unless I select to not auto-reboot, in which case I get the BSOD. Actually, the ones that try to get me into a command prompt stop in mid-scroll and then reboot.

Please confirm that safe mode is actually starting. It is displaying some windows stuff and then reboots. Correct? If so MBR and bootsector and bootmenu are fine (most likely). Windows starts... but crashes.

Perform a "system restore" from "recovery environment"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html Option Two

 

[Kaktussoft]

Also this text?

WINDOWS BOOT MANAGER

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:

1) Insert your Windows Disk and restart
2) Choose language settings and click Next
3) Click Repair Windows


File \Boot\BCD
Status 0xc000000f

Or realy no relevant extra info?

 

[Kaktussoft]

or this one?
It says "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your Computer".

Status: 0xc0000225.

There must be some status I assume?
And what stopcode on BSOD?

 

[EllisDeTripp]

Please read all the previous posts first as I addressed this earlier. When I use the Win 7 installation disk, it will read it & I select a language & then on the next page I select "Repair Windows", then it does nothing except go to the Win 7 Home Premium default blue background with only the mouse pointer showing on the screen and it does nothing. I left it on all night to see if it would eventually do something & it didn't. I tried using rescue discs that I copied from my PC and they can't be read.

Also this text?

WINDOWS BOOT MANAGER

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:

1) Insert your Windows Disk and restart
2) Choose language settings and click Next
3) Click Repair Windows


File \Boot\BCD
Status 0xc000000f

Or realy no relevant extra info?

 

[writhziden]

Is the system still under warranty?

   Warning

Before you proceed with the following, answer these two questions: Are you still under warranty? Does your warranty allow you to open up the machine to check hardware? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, contact your system manufacturer. :warn:WARNING: The steps that follow can void your warranty!!!

Strip down your system to run only the bare essentials: one RAM module, the CPU, motherboard, one hard disk, one graphics card (or use onboard graphics if you have it), keyboard, mouse, and one monitor. See if the system will boot. If it is stable, add one piece of hardware back at a time until you get crashes again. Take notes of what hardware you add and how the system responds to the hardware changes.

As you add and remove hardware, follow these steps for ESD safety:

1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working. If you do not have an anti-static workbench, desk, or pad, you can use your computer tower/case by finding a metal hold in it, such as a drive bay.

Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

 

[Kaktussoft]

So F8 "repair your computer" is there but freezes ... strange

 

[EllisDeTripp]

All the selections "try" to work, i.e., if you select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt", it will start scrolling files, but then it stops and reboots. If you select "Repair Your Computer", it will load some files from somewhere, then it looks like Windows is loading, then it "resets" itself & reboots. One of these scenarios is what you get on every choice.

So F8 "repair your computer" is there but freezes ... strange

 

[EllisDeTripp]

I'd like to try a new approach --- what would be the best method to gain access to the files on the hard drive & copy it? Then I could just wipe the drive clean & try starting over with my programs & download the files afterward.

 

[writhziden]

I'd like to try a new approach --- what would be the best method to gain access to the files on the hard drive & copy it? Then I could just wipe the drive clean & try starting over with my programs & download the files afterward.

The best methods would be outlined in Post #3 of this thread... You said you could not boot the CDs, though. Are you sure your boot order in the BIOS is set correctly? I am wondering if you are actually reading from the boot media even with Windows. It is possible you are getting to the recovery environment from the Windows installation rather than the boot media which is not what you want.

 

[Kaktussoft]

All the selections "try" to work, i.e., if you select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt", it will start scrolling files, but then it stops and reboots. If you select "Repair Your Computer", it will load some files from somewhere, then it looks like Windows is loading, then it "resets" itself & reboots. One of these scenarios is what you get on every choice.

So F8 "repair your computer" is there but freezes ... strange

"repair your computer" is just one file WINRE.WIM that acts like a boot disk. A mini windows starts. Actually the same as "repair windows" on install DVD. Both crashes. So....

Hard disk has errors or more likely... corrupt memory.
start again to "advanced boot options" so you see safe mode and repair your computer etc.(F8). Now press ESC. Then presse tab-key to select "memory diagnostics" and press enter. Let it run a few hours. Post results.

Check for memory errors before backupping files!!! Otherwise the backup will be corrupt as well

 

[Kaktussoft]

After checking memory and not finding errors:

Boot from WIN7 installation DVD. On the screen where is "install now" press SHIFT+F10
Now you get a black "Command prompt"

DIR C:
DIR D:
DIR E:

What is the drive letter of windows? Assume it's C in this recovery environment

chkdsk/f C:

Replace C with actual drive letter
Any errors? All errors repaired? Eventually do it more than once to repair all errors.

 

[karlsnooks]

Ellis,
I agree. copy off everything dear to your heart.

Let's try this approach, which I've used numerous times:

Boot up from your Win 7 DVD.

At the very first dialog. use SHIFT + F10 key combo.

That will get you to a command prompt.

The command prompt will show X:>
X: is a ram drive created by Win 7.

Enter:
Cd /D C:\

now
DIR
do you see anything.

do the same for D:, E:, F:

If this works, we'll be able to copy the files over to a a usb stick or usb drive.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ellis,
I agree. copy off everything dear to your heart.

Let's try this approach, which I've used numerous times:

Boot up from your Win 7 DVD.

At the very first dialog. use SHIFT + F10 key combo.

That will get you to a command prompt.

The command prompt will show X:>
X: is a ram drive created by Win 7.

Enter:
Cd /D C:\

now
DIR
do you see anything.

do the same for D:, E:, F:

If this works, we'll be able to copy the files over to a a usb stick or usb drive.

@karlsnooks : Copying important files to USB-drive is always a good idea!!
But because even WINRE crashes I think it's faulty memory or harddisk has errors.

 

[karlsnooks]

I only give valid advice.

Thanks for recognizing that.