Startup Repair- windows cannot repair; Stuck in restart loop

[dragongirl92]

Hi,

I am unable to start up my laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium). TOSHIBA Satellite C660-1J6
It is stuck in a loop of 'attempting to repair this computer', which is unsuccessful and restarts.
There are no restore points to use.
I have received the BSOD which disappears quickly during startup.
I am able to start up in Safe Mode - however when I get to the login screen, the mouse and keyboard do not work.

I would highly appreciate any help or advice with this.
I am happy to reinstall windows as I have everything backed up. However I am unsure how to do so as I do not have a CD.

Kind regards

 

[AddRAM]

Firstly, a Windows 7 install disc is a dvd, not a cd.

You would have to find a working PC to download a Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 Iso File, either 32 or 64 bit, let`s assume you need 64 Bit.

After you have downloaded the iso file you have to burn it to a dvd at no faster then x4 speed. So the PC has to have a dvd burner and you`s need a blank dvd.

Everything you need is in the following links.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techn...icrosoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

Free ISO Burner

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

You can also use a usb stick to put the iso file on using Rufus. The usb stick must be at least 4 GB in size.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

You must also have a readable key on your COA to activate windows after you install it.

You will also have to install at least your network/ethernet drivers to get online. Then get your other drivers, and run Windows Update, which will take a long time, sometimes 24 hours.

Have more questions, just ask

 

[dragongirl92]

Hi, thank you very much for your reply. I was indeed referring to the install disc, and incorrectly called it a CD. Apologies.

My remaining characters of theKey sticker on my laptop is somewhat faded. However, I can try identifying it. Is there another way of finding my Key number other than the sticker?

Thanks

 

[RogerR]

My remaining characters of theKey sticker on my laptop is somewhat faded. However, I can try identifying it. Is there another way of finding my Key number other than the sticker?

Thanks

There are programs out there that do just that. Speccy is useful for other things as well.

 

[dragongirl92]

Hi RogerR

Thank you for your response.

I cannot access Windows as it does not go beyond login page to use programs such as Speccy.

Regards

 

[DavidE]

Below is a link to a thread similar to your problem.
Read through it, there are some "creative" ways you could try to see if you can read the key on the COA Sticker.

Also, is there any key you can press at bootup to possibly do a factory recovery from a hard drive recovery partition ?

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/308585-recovering-windows-product-key.html

 

[dragongirl92]

Hi DavidE,

Thank you for your response! I will check out the link.

It is worth mentioning
- I am able to start up in Safe Mode, However when I get to logon screen the keyboard and mouse do not work. (built in, not wireless or usb)
- When I select System Image Recovery on System Recovery Options, and 'search for a driver' I am able to see my files and folders are present and there is a folder called HDD Recovery - I wonder if it is possible to take advantage of that?

I have copied the HDD Recovery folder into an external hard drive in case it would be useful?

Regards

 

[torchwood]

Hi DragonGirl,
As its a lappy, it will have the built-in Restore to factory settings.
(note you will need to back-up any personal data).
http://forums.toshiba.com/tshb/attachments/tshb/brd_recovery/18474/1/C660UsersManual.pdf

see page 11

Roy

 

[DavidE]

- When I select System Image Recovery on System Recovery Options, and 'search for a driver' I am able to see my files and folders are present and there is a folder called HDD Recovery - I wonder if it is possible to take advantage of that?

I downloaded the manual for the TOSHIBA Satellite C660-1J6 and i couldn't find any info on doing a factory recovery
Perhaps someone else with Toshiba experience can be more helpful.

It looks like @torchwood just found info in the Toshiba forum

 

[bigmck]

Hi DavidE,

Thank you for your response! I will check out the link.

It is worth mentioning
- I am able to start up in Safe Mode, However when I get to logon screen the keyboard and mouse do not work. (built in, not wireless or usb)

Try using your Arrow Keys or Tab Key

 

[dragongirl92]

I cant use the arrow or tab keys as the keyboard does not work .

 

[dragongirl92]

The HeiDoc software has several options of Windows 7 Home Premium to select.
How do I check which version to select?
Kind regards

 

[DavidE]

Get the Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 ISO

This page shows it came from Toshiba with 64 Bit:
Satellite C660-1J6 - Toshiba

 

[Bertison]

Have not read all posts, so if I have missed something, sorry. I am in a bit of a rush, got to go out. Found this, hope it helps:
https://backupmedia.toshiba.eu/

You can order a backup disc for your laptop direct from Toshiba.

EDIT: Just got back to this from yesterday, seems that David E made a similar reply. How did it go, dragongirl92? Please tell us if you fixed it, helps others.

 

[Uniman]

Hi Dragongirl92,
I do not know if you have solved your problem , but as a windows 7 and Toshiba Satellite user,using W7 Home premium 64 bit ,I will share what I know about factory reset .
Firstly backup any files and folders you can access to some sort of external drive USB/Disk etc.
You say you can access a folder named HDD recovery then you're in luck and you do not need to know your product key. Using your arrow keys scroll to this folder and hit your "Enter" button.This should initiate the HDD recovery folder, from hereon follow on screen instructions(you do realize this will erase all existing data on your Hard drive) .The process may take up to an hour or more.Note:Any bloatware you may have previously uninstalled will be re-installed by default.
When the process is fully finished and has gone through "First time setup"you will now have a clean desktop with only basic icons, you now need to find out whether or not your version of Windows 7 has service pack SP1.
To do this hit the "Windows" key+R buttons,this will open a "run command box".In the search box type "winver"and left click the OK button.This should open a dialogue box showing information about your version of Windows 7.If it says you have SP1 ignore next bit of info.
However before going any further you will need to connect your PC to the internet, click on router strength symbol in the tasktray , this will open available networks, select yours and click connect, a dialogue box should open requesting your router password/phrase,insert your password/phrase and your computer should connect.
Now supposing you do not have SP1 go to-https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15090/windows-7-install-service-pack-1-sp1 and install same
Next go to "https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/Internet-Explorer-11-for-Windows-7-details.aspx" and download appropriate version of IE11, again followed by installing same.
Now you need to update windows, firstly go "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49542" and download KB 3102810 again followed by installing.
Next go to "All programs"and open "Windows update"click on "check for updates".This process may take up to 24 hrs.If all goes well after update you will have a clean copy of Windows 7 Home Premium 32 or 64 bit as appropriate.
At this point you can re-instate any files or folders you saved previously.
If you want to find your "product key" download and run "magical jellybean". This will find your product key and other info about windows .You can save this info where you like to keep it safe for future use.


Alternative way to update is to use "WSUS offline update".A tutorial for this can be found at https://malwaretips.com/threads/tut...date-windows-using-wsus-offline-update.57320/.
Good Luck
Uniman