Unable to start windows

[Kelly]

a couple of days ago i reset my laptop to factory defaults, after which i had to install a load of windows updates. one of the updates entirely screwed up my laptop. i had to restart after the updates, but i got stuck on the 'logging off' screen, which took all night. then i decided to reboot it and after that windows just wouldn't start. i left it on for hours, but there was no progress whatsoever. so i figured i'd start from scratch and reset my laptop to default settings AGAIN, except when i turn on my laptop, press F8 and choose system recovery (which is supposed to load the toshiba screen), it tries and starts windows instead. i cannot get pass the 'starting windows' screen, no matter how long i leave it on. my laptop is nearly a year old and i've never gotten this problem (maybe because when i just got it i didn't really install any updates).

my laptop is a toshiba satellite with windows 7 home premium.

 

[Solid Snake]

Did your laptop come with a System Recovery disc? If not, supply your Laptops model number and I will try to assist further. The model number will be located on a label underneath the laptop usually accompanied with serial numbers etc.

Dan

 

[Kelly]

first off thank you for replying!

this is a school laptop and i did not get the os disc when i got it.
if i'm correct my laptop is a toshiba satellite c860, i'm not sure if that is what you meant.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

How to use Toshiba Recovery.
How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

You can order Toshiba Recovery disks from here:
https://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/serviceUnitVerification.jsp

 

[Kelly]

system recovery is what i was aiming for, but like i said, when i try and start system recovery it takes me to the windows loading screen instead, and the options on the site you gave me seem only possible when you are already in windows. i did not create recovery cds either. also, i can not order the recovery cds on the toshiba website because i live in europe.

 

[Solid Snake]

Your Windows partition maybe damaged enough to not let you access the boot menu, If you have access to another working computer, it may be wise to download and create your own recovery disc. Use the links provided by theog.

Dan

 

[Kelly]

the site does not tell me how to download such a cd though. am i supposed to make the recovery cd from another toshiba laptop?

 

[Solid Snake]

There is one other thing you could try, but this does not apply to all Toshiba laptops. Follow these steps:

Make sure the computer is turned off
Remove any peripherals such an external mouse, keyboard, monitor, USB flash drive etc.
Make sure the Mains Adapter is plugged in and working.
Press and hold down the 0 (zero) key on the keyboard while powering on the computer. Release it when the recovery warning screen appears.
If the recovery process offers a choice of Operating Systems, select the appropriate one for you.
A warning screen appears, stating that when the recovery is executed all data will be deleted and rewritten.
Click Yes to continue.
When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens select "Recovery of Factory Software" or the appropriate option for your needs.
Continue to follow the directions restarting as necessary.

As far as creating a recovery disc, I am looking into that for you now.

Dan

 

[Solid Snake]

Sorry Kelly is your Windows 7 installation 32bit or 64bit? and are you familiar with burning ISO images to disc?

 

[Kelly]

i came as far as selecting the os before it took me back to the same startup screen. (windows is unable to start due to a hardware / software problem. system recovery / start windows)

right now i'm downloading a recovery cd but it's for a toshiba c660 (my laptop is a c650), does it matter much?

my windows is a 64bit, and yes i am familiar with iso files and disc burning.

 

[theog]

the site does not tell me how to download such a cd though. am i supposed to make the recovery cd from another toshiba laptop?

the first day you had your new PC.

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.​

& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create ​

http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/HTD7C02140000R01.htm

Using Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery partition

In case of a hard disk drive failure, you may be able to restore the drive to the factory default state using the on-disk Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility (in a special partition on the hard disk drive).
You can select restoring the entire hard disk drive to the factory default state, or restoring only the C: drive -- without affecting other partitions (for example, a D: drive) -- or changing the size allocated to your C: drive, and then restore it.
To recover your hard disk drive from a system failure using the utilities stored on your computers HDD, follow these steps:


If the computer is running, shut it down -- by clicking Start, Shut Down, and again Shut Down.

Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your keyboard and then press the computers power switch. When the computer turns on, the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting three options:

 

[Kelly]

i already told you i did not make the recovery cd, i always assumed if my laptop were to cause problems i could always reset it to system defaults (like i did yesterday)

If the computer is running, shut it down -- by clicking Start, Shut Down, and again Shut Down.

Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your keyboard and then press the computers power switch. When the computer turns on, the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting three options:

i tried this several times as well, to no avail.

i came as far as selecting the os before it took me back to the same startup screen. (windows is unable to start due to a hardware / software problem. system recovery / start windows)

 

[Kelly]

i tried the windows repair disc you gave me but it takes me to the same startup screen, still. the system recovery doesn't do anything either. i'm starting the iso from a usb stick. am i doing something wrong maybe?

 

[Solid Snake]

i tried the windows repair disc you gave me but it takes me to the same startup screen, still. the system recovery doesn't do anything either. i'm starting the iso from a usb stick. am i doing something wrong maybe?

Are you sure you are booting from the recovery image, and not windows still? It shouldn't bring you to the same menu, it will look totally different.

 

[Kelly]

i used boot manager (F12) to start the usb. i'm not all that computer savvy so i might've done it wrong. could you explain to me how to start windows from the usb?

 

[Solid Snake]

I wouldn't rely on using a USB flash drive, I would strongly recommend burning the ISO image to a CD.

Dan

 

[theog]

Using Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery partition

In case of a hard disk drive failure, you may be able to restore the drive to the factory default state using the on-disk Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility (in a special partition on the hard disk drive).
You can select restoring the entire hard disk drive to the factory default state, or restoring only the C: drive -- without affecting other partitions (for example, a D: drive) -- or changing the size allocated to your C: drive, and then restore it.
To recover your hard disk drive from a system failure using the utilities stored on your computers HDD, follow these steps:


If the computer is running, shut it down -- by clicking Start, Shut Down, and again Shut Down.

Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your keyboard and then press the computers power switch. When the computer turns on, the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting three options:

 

[Kelly]

i don't have any empty cds by hand so i'll have to try later and let you know whether it worked or not. thank you so much for your help up to now though!

 

[Kelly]

Using Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery partition

In case of a hard disk drive failure, you may be able to restore the drive to the factory default state using the on-disk Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility (in a special partition on the hard disk drive).
You can select restoring the entire hard disk drive to the factory default state, or restoring only the C: drive -- without affecting other partitions (for example, a D: drive) -- or changing the size allocated to your C: drive, and then restore it.
To recover your hard disk drive from a system failure using the utilities stored on your computers HDD, follow these steps:


If the computer is running, shut it down -- by clicking Start, Shut Down, and again Shut Down.

Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your keyboard and then press the computers power switch. When the computer turns on, the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting three options:

i'm sorry, but do you even read what i am saying? this does not work for me.

 

[Solid Snake]

haha

Good luck kelly I will keep an eye on my mail for reply's. Once you have the file properly applied to a disc you should be fine.

Dan