Issues with Windows booting, Windows repair and trying to reinstall

[Brumski]

Hey,

So I had a problem today in which Windows decided that it wouldn't boot, Instead it would just reboot constantly

This happened after I heard a ticking noise from my computer, things started to freeze, and so i had to restart. When I tried to turn it back on I had the above problem.

NOW, I tried to use Windows Repair option that is there by default. It loads up the blue windows background, gives me a pointer but then doesnt do anything.

I have a W7 repair disc, I booted to it. That too done the exact same thing, it lets me choose the language/keyboard style to use and then sits on the blue windows background and gives me no options.

Finally, I have a full W7 installation disc that I booted to. I tried the repair option and got the same problem as before.

I also clicked the "Install Now" button and it has been stuck on "setup is starting" for over 10 minutes now, with no hope of it doing anything.

So currently I cannot repair or install Windows. I assumed it was a harddrive failure, but why wont my disc based solutiions even work?

Any help would be great, thanks

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Brumski some system specs mate please that ticking sound sounds like a hard drive to me but without any specs mate it is hard to tell you what to do.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[AddRAM]

Sounds like a bad drive to me also. Do you still hear the ticking noise ?

Unhook the hard drive and see if you still hear the noise, yes, you can start the pc without the hard drive.

 

[theog]

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

 

[Brumski]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

The only reason I haven't done the harddrive checks is BECAUSE; if it was harddrive problem, why is Windows Repair failing to load when I boot from DVD?

Also, as I pointed out, when I boot the Windows Installation DVD it also does not load up the proper screens to let me reinstall Windows.

Seems like problems that are independant of the drive (unless the DVD is trying to access data on that drive..of course)

 

[gregrocker]

Not necessarily. A bad HD can block DVD boot. The noise could also be coming from the DVD drive.

Try the bootable HDD diagnostics. If there isn't one for your brand, use Partition Wizard
bootable CD which will also confirm if a disk will boot to run HD surface test with Partition Wizard.

If you'll also post back a camera snap of the PW drive map and listings we can also tell more.

If the HD tests out OK continue with the RAM test and other steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Like theog says Brumski as did I (system specs) what is the brand of your drive mate.

 

[Brumski]

Thanks again for the replies guys.

In the morning, I will open the case and check which brand of drive I have. I know one of my drives is a Samsung but I don't remember what the (potentially) failed one is.

One note though, it doesn't strictly speaking block the DVD boot remember. It lets me boot so far as showing me the windows background + letting me choose the language/locale

G'night

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Brumski no need to open the case mate just see pic.

 

[Ranger4]

Brumski no need to open the case mate just see pic.

I don't think he can get there as his computer can't start, so he will have to open the case.

 

[theog]

You can also check in the BIOS for the make.

 

[Brumski]

I just went and checked in the BIOS as advised (I would have done this sooner, but I was sure the text string that identified the drive was really generic...but I just didn't look at it properly before)

It's a Western Digital (P0-WDC WD5000AAKS)

Running some tests now

 

[Brumski]

I used the Seagate Tool on both of my drives, ran basic tests, both passed. Used the Seagate tool due to reports of the WD tools not working too well sometimes.

Used Partition Wizard on my main drive, listed in previous post, and it found 1 single error block

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Brumski no need to open the case mate just see pic.

I don't think he can get there as his computer can't start, so he will have to open the case.

Hmm thats a point

 

[gregrocker]

I used the Seagate Tool on both of my drives, ran basic tests, both passed. Used the Seagate tool due to reports of the WD tools not working too well sometimes.

Used Partition Wizard on my main drive, listed in previous post, and it found 1 single error block

How about a camera snap of PW drive map and listings?

Then further check the HD with all other HD's unplugged by running Partition Wizard Check File System.

Next rightclick on the 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) or C to Mark Partition Active, highlight the HD to run Partition Wizard Rebuild MBR Video Help. Reboot to see if Win7 will start and if not run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times

If these fail and you're ready to try reinstall, highlight the HD, from PW CD run Partition Wizard Wipe Disk Video Help. Create and format a NTFS Primary partition which you mark Active to try Clean Install Windows 7. Partition Wizard Create Partition - Video Help
How to Set Active/Inactive partition -Partition Wizard Video Help.