Solved Systems Repair loop, Netbook, Windows 7 Starter

[SarahCrazyChild]

If that fails enter BIOS setup using F2 to reset BIOS to defaults. You will see this setting on one of the tabs, select it.

While in BIOS setup set your bootable install media written from Step 5 of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start first to boot, then Hard Drive.

If you burn the installation DVD or write it to flash stick correctly, then it should prompt you to "press any key to boot disk" when you reboot with it inserted. You can then work through the other repair steps in tutorial above, or proceed directly with Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 if you're sure you have all of your files rescued - if not there are steps in both tutorials to do this using the Installation media.

As I wrote earlier you can also try running Gateway Full Factory Recovery .

I will try these because ESC doesn't work. Literally the only thing that works is F2. It might take me a while, I will write back if I have any trouble.

 

[gregrocker]

You're welcome.

Once you try resetting BIOS to defaults then your other F keys might work, including F12 which is the normal key to get a BIOS Boot Menu, and F10 to run Factory Recovery which is still an option.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

In the step 5 of "Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start" I followed the links, but this is talking about the iso for Dell Dell Community

I'm just confused because my computer is Gateway with Windows 7 starter. I didn't purchase the full Windows 7. I just need to know what I should be doing here, I obviously don't want to screw up my computer any more than it already is. Thanks. I would like to do anything I can before having to do a "clean reinstall".

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

I restored the defaults, but still only F2 works.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

If that fails enter BIOS setup using F2 to reset BIOS to defaults. You will see this setting on one of the tabs, select it.

While in BIOS setup set your bootable install media written from Step 5 of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start first to boot, then Hard Drive.

If you burn the installation DVD or write it to flash stick correctly, then it should prompt you to "press any key to boot disk" when you reboot with it inserted. You can then work through the other repair steps in tutorial above, or proceed directly with Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 if you're sure you have all of your files rescued - if not there are steps in both tutorials to do this using the Installation media.

As I wrote earlier you can also try running Gateway Full Factory Recovery .

I followed your steps in dowloading the iso file and was able to boot my netbook. I clicked on the repair computer option and am now at the system repair. Could you please re-state my options from this point. Obviously, wiping clean my computer is a last resort, but I'm not opposed. In addition, could you please go over what that would entail, seperate from the other options. Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

In the step 5 of "Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start" I followed the links, but this is talking about the iso for Dell Dell Community

I'm just confused because my computer is Gateway with Windows 7 starter. I didn't purchase the full Windows 7. I just need to know what I should be doing here, I obviously don't want to screw up my computer any more than it already is. Thanks. I would like to do anything I can before having to do a "clean reinstall".

Those are the official Win7 downloads, just hosted by Dell's site.

Follow he steps in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start from the top since if there is infection it may not repair until it is disinfected. Then everything possible to repair it is given leading up to if necessary rescuiing any leftover files, then running Recovery or getting the superior Clean Reinstall.

If you'll post back results we might have other steps or shortcuts.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

Sorry I have been away, busy with upcoming Christmas stuff. I tried booting into Safe Mode with Networking via F8, but am getting a black page with "Safe Mode" in each corner and "Microsoft (R) Windows (R) (Build 7601: Service Pack 1" at the top, with the Install Windows window up. I minimized it, and it won't maximize again, so I closed the window and it restarted.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

I am going to continuing trying the other step from the Troubleshooting.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

I tried doing the system repair, but it say nothing's wrong. It says "If you have recently attached a device to this computer, such as a camera or portable music player, remove it and restart your computer. If you continue to see this message, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance."

 

[gregrocker]

Have you unplugged all other peripherals?

Set the DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup via F2, reboot the PC and Press Any Key when prompted to boot DVD. At the first screen after DVD boots press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK 0 (first Confirm Win7 HD is Disk 0 from List Disk)
LIST PARTITION
SEL PART 1 (first confirm from LIST PARTITION that Win7 partition or the 100mb System Reserved partition - preferred if you have it - is Partition 1)
ACTIVE
EXIT

On Second screen of booted installer select Repair My Computer, accept any offered repair, reboot. If Win7 doesn't start, run three separate Startup Repairs no matter what it reports.

If this fails to start Win7 you can use one of the bootable AV's to check if PC is infected which can keep it from starting, or you can proceed to copy out your files if necessary and Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

The only thing plugged in is the thumb drive with the Windows 7 iso set up on it. I've been starting it with the Windows 7 on the thumb drive, it wants me to install it, but I've just been going to the "repair my computer" option. I want to make sure this is right.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, that's the correct way to access the Repair Options from boot.

How about marking 100mb partition or (if you don't have it) Win7 C partition Active to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times?

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

I was just curious about that because I was getting that message about nothing being wrong so it wouldn't restart on it's own, I'd have to restart after I pushed "finish" and then it would go to the page anting me to install windows 7. Just checking.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

I don't have anything to boot that says dvd, I have two things that say CDROM.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you can use USB flash stick installer instead of DVD to mark Active and run the three Startup Repairs using the steps I gave you in Post #50.

Be sure to reboot between each Startup Repair to see if Win7 will start.

If these fail then you can either start at the top of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start to disinfect from boot and try repairs again, including other repair steps given, or move on to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

How will I get Windows 7 to start if the Windows 7 on the usb is what comes up after restart every time. 'Cause I did do the three startup repairs and then removed the usb before the last restart and same uable to boot screen came up, even after switching the boot order. I did it a couple of times, a couple different ways.

 

[gregrocker]

What you have is a USB installer used to repair or reinstall Win7 only. Use the Repair choice given on second screen after booting it.

Again: have you have first marked Active the 100 mb System Reserved partition or if you don't have it then the C WIn7 partition? Startup Repair will not work if one of those is not marked Active first.

If that does not work your choices are to proceed with the other steps in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start to try every repair possibility,

or skip to rescuiing your files (if any need it) then use the Install Now choice to Clean Reinstall Win7 after deleting all partitions as shown in Steps 6-7 of Clean Install Windows 7

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

Have you unplugged all other peripherals?

Set the DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup via F2, reboot the PC and Press Any Key when prompted to boot DVD. At the first screen after DVD boots press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK 0 (first Confirm Win7 HD is Disk 0 from List Disk)
LIST PARTITION
SEL PART 1 (first confirm from LIST PARTITION that Win7 partition or the 100mb System Reserved partition - preferred if you have it - is Partition 1)
ACTIVE
EXIT

I tried this, but it's saying certain words like "list" are "not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."

Am I doing something wrong? I never knew how to type in these command things even on the computers in our Elementary school in the 90s.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

Disregard. I figured it out. I'll reply again with results in a few minutes.

 

[SarahCrazyChild]

Under List Disk here is the information available:

Disk ### Status Size Free
Disk 0 online 232GB 0GB
Disk 1 online 7648MB 0GB