Unable to boot into Windows

[JerryOnion]

Hi guys, I need some help here.

When I start up my PC, the "Windows Error Recovery" message appears on the screen prompting me to Launch Startup Repair or Start Windows Normally.

When I choose "Start Windows Normally", I am unable to progress beyond the windows loading screen (The windows boot animation doesn't even appear, just the words Starting Windows). Then this error message appears -



I tried to restart windows and launch startup repair from my installation disc, but it fails -



For the past few days prior to yesterday, my PC was working just fine. Then all of a sudden, this problem popped up.

I haven't replaced or removed any hardware.
All my BIOS settings are at default.
I've tried changed AHCI to IDE.
I've tried booting with one memory stick on different slots.
I've run Windows Memory Diagnostic but no errors were returned.
I've tried connecting nothing but my Super Talent Boot Disk in.

So I am at a loss here. Naturally formatting and reinstalling Windows would be a last resort, so I've turned to you guys for help b4 I do anything else.

Anyone free to help a poor bloke like me ?

 

[theog]

   Information

Boot up using the Startup Repair CD or Windows 7 DVD. (not the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk) If you have a Netbook, you will need a CD/DVD drive.
NOTE: Make sure no USB drives are plugged in.
Do not use a USB Pendrive for Startup Repair.​

Do a Strartup Repair:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

 

[Bill2]

Boot from the install dvd and run the bootrec commands.

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

 

[JerryOnion]

Boot from the install dvd and run the bootrec commands.

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

I tried running all the bootrec commands but my Windows Startup still stalls at the same step.

 

[JerryOnion]

   Information

Boot up using the Startup Repair CD or Windows 7 DVD. (not the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk) If you have a Netbook, you will need a CD/DVD drive.
NOTE: Make sure no USB drives are plugged in.
Do not use a USB Pendrive for Startup Repair.​

Do a Strartup Repair:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

I must have done it like 10 times now

 

[Bill2]

Try running system restore from the recovery options.

 

[JerryOnion]

Try running system restore from the recovery options.

I don't have any restore points.

 

[theog]

Boot from the install dvd and run the bootrec commands.

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

Rebuild BCD & FixMBR

 

[Bill2]

OK. Lets try different things. To rule out a problem with the disk, download a repair disk from this site and use it to run startup repair and sfc scan.

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc — MAXIMUMpcguides – Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

To run sfc scan from the disk, use the offline method.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

If above 2 dont help, try restoring a pristine copy of the registry this way (skip the startup repair steps).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

 

[JerryOnion]

OK. Lets try different things. To rule out a problem with the disk, download a repair disk from this site and use it to run startup repair and sfc scan.

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc — MAXIMUMpcguides – Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

To run sfc scan from the disk, use the offline method.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

If above 2 dont help, try restoring a pristine copy of the registry this way (skip the startup repair steps).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

Tried to run sfc scan -



Tried to restore pristine copy by following instructions. Windows Boot Manager still gave me the same error

 

[TVeblen]

If you installed W7 in AHCI mode, be sure the BIOS setting is back on AHCI mode. You don't need 2 problems to deal with.

A couple of other things to try:

• Borrow and use a wired keyboard and mouse to test.
• Go into the BIOS settings and see if you can run the graphics in standard VGA mode - this disables the normal graphics drivers.
• Disable the Sound and LAN devices in BIOS and test.

The possibility that the SSD is faulty is great. Read this post to see one way to test the SSD without the OS: http://www.sevenforums.com/1001830-post119.html

 

[gregrocker]

Scan HD for infection by burning to CD or writing to flash stick Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

If you haven't run Startup Repair from the DVD Repair console or Repair CD then it has not been run. You cannot count on Startup Repair run from the HD as the OS System Files or HD may be corrupted.

Test your SSD with maker's diagnostics/repair extended CD scan.

See if you can copy out your files or see them using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then boot the Win7 DVd to clean reinstall adapting these tips to get a perfect reinstall:
Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[metalmania31]

OK. Lets try different things. To rule out a problem with the disk, download a repair disk from this site and use it to run startup repair and sfc scan.

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc — MAXIMUMpcguides – Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

To run sfc scan from the disk, use the offline method.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

If above 2 dont help, try restoring a pristine copy of the registry this way (skip the startup repair steps).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

Tried to run sfc scan -

View attachment 172718

Tried to restore pristine copy by following instructions. Windows Boot Manager still gave me the same error

Which drive path is your OS installed C: or X:? Try doing the sfc /scannow again on the C: drive. The screen shot looks like you only scanned the X: drive.

 

[JerryOnion]

OK. Lets try different things. To rule out a problem with the disk, download a repair disk from this site and use it to run startup repair and sfc scan.

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc — MAXIMUMpcguides – Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

To run sfc scan from the disk, use the offline method.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

If above 2 dont help, try restoring a pristine copy of the registry this way (skip the startup repair steps).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

Tried to run sfc scan -

View attachment 172718

Tried to restore pristine copy by following instructions. Windows Boot Manager still gave me the same error

Which drive path is your OS installed C: or X:? Try doing the sfc /scannow again on the C: drive. The screen shot looks like you only scanned the X: drive.

I tried running sfc scan both from c: and x: drive. Neither works.

 

[JerryOnion]

If you installed W7 in AHCI mode, be sure the BIOS setting is back on AHCI mode. You don't need 2 problems to deal with.

A couple of other things to try:

• Borrow and use a wired keyboard and mouse to test.
• Go into the BIOS settings and see if you can run the graphics in standard VGA mode - this disables the normal graphics drivers.
• Disable the Sound and LAN devices in BIOS and test.

The possibility that the SSD is faulty is great. Read this post to see one way to test the SSD without the OS: http://www.sevenforums.com/1001830-post119.html

I've got no GFX (using onboard as enabled in the BIOS). I disabled sound, lan, usb3 devices. Still don't work

And Gparted detected on problems with my SSD -

 

[TVeblen]

Your issue could be hardware related (failed hardware) or software related (corrupted drivers or OS). What I am doing here is trying to eliminated obvious hardware failures. If we can find none then you can focus on repairing the OS. It doesn't make sense (to me) to work on software before checking the hardware.

Can you borrow a wired keyboard and mouse?

Can you get to the Windows "Advanced Boot Options" menu? You do this by pressing the F8 key just before Windows starts to load (just after the BIOS finishes and hands off to the OS).

If you can, try the "Enable Low Resolution Video" option. Let us know the results.

You could also try the "Last Known Good Configuration" option afterward. But check the video first.

 

[JerryOnion]

Your issue could be hardware related (failed hardware) or software related (corrupted drivers or OS). What I am doing here is trying to eliminated obvious hardware failures. If we can find none then you can focus on repairing the OS. It doesn't make sense (to me) to work on software before checking the hardware.

Can you borrow a wired keyboard and mouse?

Can you get to the Windows "Advanced Boot Options" menu? You do this by pressing the F8 key just before Windows starts to load (just after the BIOS finishes and hands off to the OS).

If you can, try the "Enable Low Resolution Video" option. Let us know the results.

You could also try the "Last Known Good Configuration" option afterward. But check the video first.

I tried booting up with a wired keyboard and mouse.

I tried enabling low resolution Video under advanced boot options and last known good configuration.

Didn't work.

 

[TVeblen]

Bummer.
Then you should start working on some of the suggestions made by Gregrocker in post #12 above to start.

If you can copy your files out it will further show that the Hard drive is OK.

EDIT: And don't forget the repair disk method mentioned by Bill2 in Post # 9 too.

 

[JerryOnion]

Scan HD for infection by burning to CD or writing to flash stick Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

If you haven't run Startup Repair from the DVD Repair console or Repair CD then it has not been run. You cannot count on Startup Repair run from the HD as the OS System Files or HD may be corrupted.

Test your SSD with maker's diagnostics/repair extended CD scan.

See if you can copy out your files or see them using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then boot the Win7 DVd to clean reinstall adapting these tips to get a perfect reinstall:
Reinstalling Windows 7

Aye, MS Standalone system sweeper yielded nothing.

From the looks of it I may have to reinstall Windows