Unknown issues, possible start up repair loop.

[TechSore]

First time user here, desperately seeking help(right before work, that's smart T_T) Roughly four to five months ago my partner bought me a factory refurbished laptop to replace my old one that was slowly dying. It's a Toshiba Satellite C850 running Win7 home premium service pack 1 64bit. For ages it ran just fine. Then out of the blue it wouldn't boot normally. I could get it to run in safe mode but after trying system repair and restore it still wouldn't boot normally. So I backed up my files and formatted to out of box condition. This seemed to work for awhile. Then again with no warning I was unable to boot normally, I've forgotten how I fixed it that time but I remember it only worked provided I never switched it off. However after windows installed some updates I was forced to restart and the issue resurfaced. After fruitless attempts to fix it I ended up just formatting the damn thing again. It was running fine for roughly a month and now today it's having the same issue. It was running fine all night and there didn't appear to be any issues after shutting down.

I've booted in safe mode with networking to try and find some kind of solution to this issue without having to format again as it's getting to be tedious. I've been running Malwarebytes Pro and never encountered a virus before so I don't think that's the issue. When attempting to boot in normal mode start-up repair does load but just get's stuck in an endless loop, it doesn't say failed and it doesn't fix anything. So I thought it was a loop. However I've checked some other threads on that issue and so far nothing suggested has helped(again do not want to format my HDD as it would be the fifth time since buying it) Before I leave for work I'm posting this here in the hopes someone else might have an idea what I can do to restore my laptop to it's previous working condition without formatting the HDD. Although at this rate I'm wondering if the place my partner bought it from offered some kind of warranty(doubtful since it was refurbished).

 

[Yard Dog]

Hello TechSore, Welcome to the Forums.. try this : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Tech mate you didn't say what sort of HDD you had and what sort of use you put it to - heaps of stuff or just general everyday emails etc.

I only ask because I have two Toshibas and with the annoying amount of bloat they put on and the constant problems a bit like you I stuck SSD's in both and an OEM. I must admit I only surf and email with mine and get away with 120GB in both and I would reckon a 256GB would be more than enough. Just for the record I cut the boot time in half using 7 using the SSD and this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

But that is before I found this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html which is a good option.

 

[TechSore]

I'll be honest and say I don't know much about HDD specs but what I managed to get is that I have an IDE Toshiba MQ01ABD050 500GB. I mostly use it for just web surfing but will play a few various Steam games as well. Nothing to large though.

 

[indianacarnie]

After trying the options already suggested you could try this if the problem isn't resolved.

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

You could also run a disk check.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Welcome to the forums by the way!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep well you said the magic words to me at least Toshiba drive - rotten things and the reason I replaced mine.
Now if you want to get a new one (spinner) this is good and local http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_267&products_id=22915&zenid=a8d93144c130ca6c2be5d00a2f4362cf
Personally I prefer Seagate but the choice is yours.
You can then run that tutorial (second link) I mentioned before and transfer the data back (that you want) form the old drive by using a SATA to USB gadget which you can get reasonably cheap and are always a handy gadget to have. (see pic)
Seems a fussy way around but you will end up with a bloat free machine with just you stuff on it.

 

[TechSore]

The check disk option came up with nothing. The start up recovery option though successful once before seems to be failing me now. Looks like I will have to get a new HDD, however would I also need to download necessary drivers for the hardware on my laptop? Last time this issue happened I attempted to switch out the HDD for one my partners old laptop used and it booted fine but I couldn't connect to the internet or use the mouse pad because it didn't seem compatible with the hardware my laptop was using.

 

[HAVOC]

Is there some type of warranty on the laptop? Maybe a hardware issue and you can get the laptop replaced.

 

[TechSore]

Well it was bought factory refurbished so I'm unsure, I will be looking into it though.

 

[TechSore]

My laptop has put me through another fresh level of hell. Without knowing how I got it to boot normally. Switched it off before bed and turned it back on the following morning. Windows boots fine and everything appears to load but I cannot launch anything. I cannot run chrome or steam, not even clicking the start menu has any effect. All I can do is hover my mouse around. Booting into safe mode everything works fine. So what is going on?? I am completely lost, I contacted a specialist in laptop repairs via email. But after giving him an extensive walk through on what's wrong he hasn't contacted me since. Should I assume that this thing is more ****ed than I thought and buy a new laptop?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well mate for what it is worth I have had several Toshibas all with HDD's I have had to replace in the pic if yu want to slip a new one in it isn't exactly your model but close.
This is a nice spinner if you want one Seagate ST500LM000 Laptop Thin SSHD 500GB Hard Drive [ST500LM000] - $89.00 : PC Case Gear
On the same site look at the SSD's if you can afford one it knocks spots off the spinners.

While yo are at that you may as well clean the slots and u the RAM if you want to .

SLOTCLEANING

Now as for the slots to clean them use astrip of old credit card about 1/2 inch wide nip the corners off one end - preferably round them off hold apiece of thin lint free cloth over the end dab on some form of alcohol - isopropyl alcohol (what we swab the skin with before an injection) is good and GENTLY swipe along the slots.

This can also be done for the GPU slot/s.
To reinstall use this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html the activation code should be on the sticker on the bottom of the machine if not you can usually find it with Speccy Speccy - Download under Operating system.
For future use if you need to order specific parts you will need the PARS NO as in pic of mine it denotes where the machine was made and for what region it was made for

 

[Layback Bear]

Once you get your computer fixed please remember that you need to also run a anti virus program along with Malwarebytes Anti Malware Professional. One does not replace the other. They work together.
Malware and viruses are two different things.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Once you get your computer fixed please remember that you need to also run a anti virus program along with Malwarebytes Anti Malware Professional. One does not replace the other. They work together.
Malware and viruses are two different things.

Yep so true as Bear says mate and these two aer musts for me as well.


http://www.superantispyware.com/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

(download from bleeping computer)

 

[TechSore]

Well now I feel like a colossal idiot. Before my last format I was running AVG internet security 2013, somehow completely forgot about re-installing it. I was more paranoid about the malware since my partners laptop had the Ukash virus not too long ago. I've made a decision on how to fix all my problems but I'm running into some walls. What I'm attempting to do is replace the HDD with one from an old gateway laptop. I want to clone the HDD I'm currently using with Macrium Reflect since I've heard positive things about it but right now I can only boot my laptop in safe mode and though I can still download Macrium I can't install it. Also my previous restore point has been deleted somehow so I can't fall back on that and windows start up repair claims there is nothing wrong. Yet trying to boot in normal mode doesn't get me past the welcome screen anymore. It either just loads infinitely or loads a blank black screen. What options do I have left besides hurling this thing into a river in frustration?

 

[TechSore]

Also might help to add, checked the device manager (again) but this time clicked show hidden devices. This brought up a list and one of the items in it has a yellow flag. Security Processor Loader Driver, is not working properly code 24. The driver details only show that the service has been stopped and attempting to hit start comes up with error, the service cannot be started in safe mode. Could this be my issue or is it just safe mode giving me false positives?