computer keeps rebooting, sending to startup repair endless times..

[faisy26]

I have a computer given to me by a friend. It has windows 7 installed on it, with 1Ghz, 512 Ram, 120 GB Hard drive( not tech savvy).. anyways, I left it running at night, and when I got up in the morning, it was doing " startup repair". Now, it keeps on going to startup repair after being turned on, and says "searching for problems", then says attempting to repair, and finally says, "cannot repair automatically". when you hit ok, it restarts the computer and the whole process starts all over again with the same results.

In advanced diagnosis and repair details, it gives the following message:

No OS files found on disk.
Repair action: Partition table repair
Results: Failed, Error code = 0x490
Time Taken= 547 ms

is there anyway to fix it in the command prompt or anything else.. I tried to hit F8, but still goes to Startup repair instead of starting windows in safe mode. just started an online class, need the computer desperately,and don't have the funds to get another computer, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Are you sure it has Windows installed on it?

Have a look at this tutorial, you'll most likely need to go to step number 8 in the list.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

If the product key is still visible on the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker on the laptop base and you can beg, steal or borrow a copy of Windows the same as what should be on the laptop you can carry out a clean install and use the laptop's product key.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174907-clean-install-factory-coa-activation-key.html

 

[gregrocker]

You're running Win7 with an almost prohibitively small amount of RAM. I have run it on 512mb for test purposes but couldn't even run AV or gadgets until I upgraded to a gig of RAM which makes all the difference. I would only run 32 bit. You also need the cleanest possible install: Reinstalling Windows 7

You'll need to boot into System Recovery Options on Win7 DVD or System Repair Disc
to run Startup Repair repeatedly to see if it can fix the loop.

Additional troubleshooting steps.

 

[faisy26]

Thanks, but I tried something else here on the forum, where I believe I made a partition active, and now when I tried to restart it, it says " BOOTMGR missing".( stupid me)..couldn't fix one problem, and now started something new..

 

[gregrocker]

With that error you need to make sure Win7 partition or it's 100mb System Reserved partition are marked Active: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

Then run from the Win7 DVD or Repair CD Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

You can also mark Active using free Partition Wizard bootable CD which will provide a picture of what you're doing. Post back a camera snap of your partitioning if possible. Then click on Disk # to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply. This may preclude the need to run Startup Repairs.

Other steps in my troubleshooting steps.

 

[Layback Bear]

After gregrocker get you going don't forget about that ram. 2 gigs runs okay, 4 gigs runs good and more ram runs great. If you have any questions on ram just ask and we will help.

 

[faisy26]

Computer restarting...still not working...

Thanks guys for your help..especially gregrocker.. I finally got the partition thing done, and now " BOOTMGR Missing" message is gone..(it sucks not to know much about computers..lol) but still it keeps running startup Repair, and then keeps on saying " cannot repair the computer automatically. "
Then I tried to do the Repair install from Windows DVD, and when asked, I hit "upgrade", but then it gives me this message: (please see the pic, so you can know what it is).
Is there anyway to do repair install and keep the files? If I could I would rather do that, but if last resort can you please walk me through a clean install, I guess.
After this I will get back to you to see if my computer is upgradeable or not..it shows the following specs, as far as I understood:

Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Pentium 4 CPU 3.00 GHZ
1.5 GB RAM
120 GB HDD

Thanks you so much.

 

[gregrocker]

Your files should already be backed up externally since you are in the middle of repairs.

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map using SNipping Tool in Start Menu. Screen Shots

We need to make sure Win7 or it's 100mb system Reserved partition (preferred) are marked Active: Partition - Mark as Active

Then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 boots on its own, which may require repairing or rewriting the System Boot files to the Active Partition.

 

[faisy26]

100mb system Reserved partition

I think , I got it right..but after trying 3 times, it still send me to Startup Repair.. should I keep on trying?

 

[gregrocker]

Then check for infection and take other Repair steps to see if it can be started. Follow these steps to know you've done everything possible: Windows 7 fails to boot