Solved Startup Repair + Windows Installation

[krichards]

Hello,

recently I've started having problems with my laptop. A couple of days ago the screen went blue, laptop was restarted and it went into Startup repair. The problem with it is that the repair goes on forever and nothing happens. Then I tried this - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html - and it didn't work because when I tried to access drive C: (I have drives C: and D: on laptop, on D: drive I have only a folder named "drivers") it said something like:
"Volume in drive C has no label
Volume Serial number is .... (can't remember this part)
Directory of C:\
File not found"

Then I decided to reinstall windows 7. I tried to download ISO file of Windows 7 from Microsoft's page. I entered the product key and got this:

Error

The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options.

I have a Lenovo laptop and Windows 7 was preinstalled and I got the product key from a sticker on my laptop. What else can I do? Can you get Windows 7 from anywhere else (I have no intention of buying it again, since I've already bought it once)?

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Hello krichards,

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Please, finish filling out your "System Specs" we need this information to better assist you.
http://www.sevenforums.com/member.php?u=500573

Did you install any new hardware or software just before the BSOD issue started.

What is the model number of your Lenovo Laptop? Look a the sticker on the bottom of the Laptop, provide the entire model number. Such as, XXX2345-678.

Did you buy your Laptop new with Windows 7 preinstalled?

Do you have OEM Recovery Software provided by the system builder, or an installed Recovery Partition on your HDD?

Read through these tutorials for a possible fix:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

Are you able to boot into Safe mode, then do a System Restore.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Hope this helps'
John

 

[krichards]

Thank you for the reply. I filled out the parts of system specs that I know. I didn't install any new hardware or software just before the issue started. I have a Lenovo Ideapad Y560, model name 20038. I bought laptop new with W7 preinstalled. I have an OEM recovery software as far as I know. I tried to boot into safe mode but it goes straight to startup repair. I'll try also the other tutorials you mentioned and I'll let you know what happened.

 

[krichards]

I went through all the possible solutions John posted but in the end I just left startup repair running. Now it's been running for over 15 hours repairing disk errors. Is it possible that my hdd is broken?

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Hello krichards,

Not sure what started this problem with Windows 7 failure to start. May of been a recently installed bad Windows Update, or there is the possibly of Hardware failure.

The easiest way to check your HDD is to run a full Disk Check (chkdsk /f) but to do that we need to access the Advanced Boot Options menu. Since your unable to do this, it may be time to do a Clean Install.

But, first let's make sure you are not able to access Advanced Boot Options menu.

Follow these steps:

Shut down your Computer by pressing and holding the power button. As you restart the Computer, press and keep tapping the F8 key about every second until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Note: If the Windows startup logo appears, you will need to repeat the above steps. On some systems, tapping F5 may also work.

Let me know what happens.

John

 

[krichards]

Hello,

I accessed Advanced Boot Options menu, but after choosing Repair Your Computer option the screen turned blue (like it is when you enter your password to sign into windows) and after that nothing happened. I let the laptop like this for over two hours.

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Hello,

I've been busy today with family, but back now for awhile.

That's great your able to access Advanced Boot Options, however your saying it's inactive?

Let's try something else in there. Go back into ABO and using the up/down arrow key to navigate. Tap the down arrow key until you have "Last Know Good Configuration" highlighted. Press Enter. See if that works.

If no, and it does nothing to fix the startup problem. But, it did try too. Then, we will attempt to run Check Disk (CHKDSK /f) by selecting Safe Mode with the Command Prompt.

Get back to me when you can and we will continue.

John

 

[krichards]

Hello, thank you for the reply John. I tried both suggestions (Last Known Good Configuration and Safe Mode with the Command Prompt), but in both cases the same thing happens - the screen turns blue (like this - http://i.imgur.com/ESivnLQ.jpg, with mouse cursor on the screen) and after that nothing else happens (the same thing also happened after selecting Repair Your Computer option). In both cases I let the computer run for 2 or 3 hours before turning it off.

 

[bigmck]

I have a Lenovo V570, just about same model. I once had a problem where it would not get past the Windows screen. It turned out to be a bad Hard Drive Disk (HDD). If you can't get in your PC at all even Safe Mode, it sounds like to me that is your problem. If you have a HDD in your laptop and not a Solid State Disk (SSD), this would be the time to get one. A SSD will make you PC much faster. You don't list what country you are in so I don't know the availability but if you can get one, it would be a good option.

 

[krichards]

Ok, I see. I was looking online for SSDs and found this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/HyperX-FURY-240-SATA-inch/dp/B00KW3MT7W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470576707&sr=8-1&keywords=hyperx+fury+ssd. Is it worth the price, because I don't know much about SSDs? My budget is around 80 euros (~90$).

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Do try to attempt to clean install first before resorting too buying new hardware. May need to change your boot order to DVD drive - first boot device.

As far as, replacing the hard drive. Yes - you can reinstall OEM on a replacement hard drive in the same computer.

When it's an OEM license
1. You can reinstall as many times as needed on the same computer. 
2. You can replace the hard drive and reinstall Windows OEM on the same computer.
3. You can not move OEM to a different computer.

Difference Between a Full/Upgrade/Retail License and an OEM/System Builder License.
OEM licenses of Windows:
1) Are bound to the first computer installed on and can't be moved to a different computer.
2) Can not do an in place upgrade from older versions of Windows, only a clean/fresh install is possible.
3) Offer no free support from Microsoft.

Hope this helps'
John

 

[krichards]

I already tried to reinstall windows 7. I tried to download ISO file of Windows 7 from Microsoft's page. I entered the product key and got this:

Error

The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options.

I got the product key off a sticker on my laptop. I bought laptop new with preinstalled Windows 7. So the biggest problem right now is that I can't install Windows.

 

[bigmck]

Ok, I see. I was looking online for SSDs and found this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/HyperX-FURY-240-SATA-inch/dp/B00KW3MT7W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470576707&sr=8-1&keywords=hyperx+fury+ssd. Is it worth the price, because I don't know much about SSDs? My budget is around 80 euros (~90$).

The HyperX Fury is made by Kingston which is a name brand and it is a good price. Here is a review on it and seems to be a good one. Kingston HyperX FURY 240 GiB SSD Review - Hardware Secrets
I don't think you can go wrong with that one. Since you are new to SSD's, read this link, it will help. Good luck. My 1st SSD - What Do I Need to Know? - SSD - Storage

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Well, there's always the option to look at one of those bias reviews when making a chose.
Best SATA Drives of 2016 - Budget SSDs With High Performance & Value

As Bigmck pointed out, it's all about your budget.

John

 

[krichards]

Thank you for all the replies. In the end I bought Samsung 850 evo SSD, which was a little over my budget but I think I'll manage

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Please, let us know how everything turns out.

John

 

[krichards]

Yesterday I took the laptop in for service and they'll install windows. I hope I won't have any more problems after I get it back

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Glad you were able to get it sorted.

We can consider this issue closed.