Crash to bootscreen on startup, startup repair black screen

[Okard]

Upon booting my computer, I'm presented with the option to go into startup repair, or start normally. If I start normally, it loads the logo, but before it gets to the login screen, it crashes to the boot screen. If I select the startup repair option, it shows a loading bar, which completes, but then the screen just goes completely black, no cursor.

I tried to use the disk system repair that Microsoft recommended, but it just shows a blue screen (not a bsod), and just the spinning load cursor. I'm currently writing this from Ubuntu running on livecd from the same computer, running at native resolution (in case it was an issue with the graphics card).

My specs are:
Packard Bell iPower X3.0
Intel® Core™ i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80GHz × 8
ATI Radeon 5570
6GB DDR RAM
2x 500GB HDD

 

[writhziden]

See if disconnecting the hard disk allows you to boot from the repair disc off your CD/DVD drive. Avoid Static Damage to Your PC when removing the hard disk connection. Also, before removing the hard disk connection, make sure the power is drained from the system by turning off the computer, unplugging it from the wall/surge protector, and holding down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and allow power to dissipate from components.