please don't laugh...

[DocBrown]

Another good point Dave ! I had not thought about the DVD Drive maybe being going bad.

 

[Dave76]

@Greg, I would continue with your "missing OS loader" Startup Repair first, hopefully this will get it running.

Trying to throw some ideas out, someone is bound to come up with a winner.

Will help with the USB install if you think it's necessary, after the current repairs are ran.


@Doc, can't figure the cause out, just running the possibilities down.
As far as hardware, suspects are ODD problem, HDD problem, maybe connection on one or both.
I've had laptop ODD problems where re-seating it helped.

Might try re-seating both.



This one is definitely a head scratcher.

 

[mypcbroke]

PW partition screenshot (literally)

Safe Mode does not go through...

 

[gregrocker]

That is the exact same situation as last time, with 5.07gb installed to Win7 partition. I don't think it could be the full Win7 install as it's never been reported to be smaller than 5.97gb.

If others disagree, then we can try rebuilding the bcd to overcome the "No OS Loader" result from Startup Repair. First would be to run the bootrec commands I just gave you from the Win7 DVD Command Line. Then the full rebuild commands I can provide.

Dave has a promising idea to try USB install. Do you have a clean copy ISO of Win7 that you can write to USB flash stick? What always works for me is to use UltraISO trial version, Open ISO on File tab, Write Image on Bootable tab, use Format button first, then Write button.
http://www.ezbsystems.com/ultraiso/download.htm

 

[mypcbroke]

My flashdrive is super old school and holds only 256MB... I bought it in high school and it has never needed replacing, so yeah... it's kinda small

I am currently at Command Prompt via Windows DVD. I have done the:
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
(it says: "The operation completed successfully.")
and
bootrec.exe /fixboot
(it says: "The operation completed successfully.")

 

[gregrocker]

If Win7 doesn't start return to DVD Command Line to type:

• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• c:
• cd boot
• attrib bcd -s -h -r
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• bootrec /RebuildBcd

 

[mypcbroke]

It says:
Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 1
[1] D:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? Yes<Y>/No<N>/All<A>:

Hit Y, enter. Got "The operationg completed successfully."

Can you tell I'm afraid of proceeding alone for anything now?

 

[gregrocker]

You are doing fine, better than most.

We'll be here until you get it working.

Can you borrow a 4gb+ flash stick?

http://compare.ebay.com/like/130401375418?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=157099381885&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=%3F*I8&GUID=d7386d1512b0a0aad433b6e3ffae6892&itemid=130401375418&ff4=263602_304662

 

[Dave76]

You will need a 4GB flashdrive to install Win7 from.

Might be worth the investment.
Should be able to get one at any local computer store for $10 or less.

Let's see how the rebuilding the BCD goes.

 

[gregrocker]

Dave can u see any way 5.07 gb could be a Win7 install?

This is what's installed last two times.

 

[DocBrown]

I have not installed any Home Premium versions, so I not sure of the total file size for them. All mine have been, Ult, Pro, & Enterprise (14gb or greater)

 

[mypcbroke]

I do however have a 250GB external hard drive...

But I CANNOT lose the files on that. I hadn't backed up in there for a few months, but it's as close as to my life as I have left (and as a writer, my life was in my currently sick pc)

 

[Dave76]

Greg, I agree with your previous comment, it's too small to be installed correctly.

I would give the BCD repair a fair shot, as you're nearly finished.

Then go from there.

 

[si8mon]

I do however have a 250GB external hard drive...

But I CANNOT lose the files on that. I hadn't backed up in there for a few months, but it's as close as to my life as I have left (and as a writer, my life was in my currently sick pc)

You WON'T be able to use the external hard drive as a boot device as one of the steps of making the hard drive bootable is by deleting everything on it.

 

[DocBrown]

Let's not take any chances with your ext HD. USB Flash drives are very cheap now. Somewhere between $ 6.99 & up ! But we need to be sure the laptop can Boot from
a USB device in the Bios.

 

[mypcbroke]

So I'm not going any further until I get USB drive?

 

[gregrocker]

Greg, I agree with your previous comment, it's too small to be installed correctly.

I would give the BCD repair a fair shot, as you're nearly finished.

Then go from there.

I think she just did.

The HD has been tested with GWScan WD diag/repair and DIsk Check which both passed, correct?

Best to complete testing the hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes: Memtest86 - Download Page

Did you try burning to DVD the MS Win7 ISO you got to try install? This would rule out the Acer Upgrade DVD being bad or modified to run from Vista. I asked several pages back for a screenshot of DVD contents.

 

[mypcbroke]

The HD has been tested with GWScan WD diag/repair and DIsk Check which both passed, correct?
Yes

Best to complete testing the hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes: Memtest86 - Download Page
I'll try this next <--which one do I get 3.4 or 3.5?

Did you try burning to DVD the Win7 ISO you got to try install? There is some question about the Acer Upgrade DVD integrity.
Yes, I have attempting with new DVD

OH! And my roommated just got home She has an empty 4GB flash drive (why empty? no idea, not gonna ask)
Not sure what I'm using it for, but it is available

 

[gregrocker]

Download and install Ultra ISO trial: http://www.ezbsystems.com/ultraiso/download.htm

plug in USB flash, on UltraISO File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab select Write Image file.

On page which opens, use Format button first, then Write button.

Then boot the USB flash stick using one time Boot Menu key.

Alternate USB flash automated create method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI

 

[mypcbroke]

Am I still doing this?

Best to complete testing the hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes: Memtest86 - Download Page
I'll try this next <--which one do I get 3.4 or 3.5?


Also, I know this might be a little late in asking... but I will be able to return the USB back in original emptiness right? Or do I owe her 15 bucks?