Win won't boot- partition problems?

[MiniLo]

I had this problem once before: Would turn on computer, would see the motherboard screen, and then I'd get a blank screen with a flashing cursor. I stuck in my windows install disk, and I couldn't do any kind of recovery or memory check, and the startup repair was kind of useless. Well, I rebooted after starting up in safe mode with the CD still in, took it out, rebooted again, and successfully got to that safe mode menu thing. (I'm very technically articulate, aren't I?) So, that was a good sign. I selected the debugging mode option for the heck of it, Windows started normally, and everything was peachy keen until I wanted to turn my machine off again a couple days later.

I'd been putting it to sleep every night for the past 3 days or so, and resumed Windows without any problems. Only when the computer was completely shut down did I run into this again. Except that this time, I can't access the safe mode menu thing at all without the install disk in.

So I did some more probing around this morning, did another startup repair deal, and decided to take a closer look at the results. Everything was fine, except that it said there was something wrong with the partition: "The partition table does not have a valid system partition." Also said that this issue was fixed, but... Windows still isn't booting.

I googled some, and found this thread, actually: http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/36367-invalid-system-partition.html

The computer in question is still relatively new (about a month... first computer I've built myself) so I wouldn't be absolutely devastated if I had to reinstall the OS, but I'm trying to avoid having to go through the trouble of reinstalling all my programs and putting all the files back on. Anyways, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm willing to fool around a bit to fix this. So I tried what the very helpful posters on the above thread said to do in the command prompt. I was able to get to the bootsect menu, but none of the commands that the OP was told to do were recognized.

So... yeah. I'm at a loss. Should I just suck it up and reinstall? Or will that even fix my problem? What should I do? D:

EDIT- K major derp moment. I went back to try this stuff again. The command lines worked, but windows still won't boot. Fffuuuuu-

 

[1Bowtie]

First i'm not slamming you, but had you made a backup image this would have been fast and smooth:sarc: Now to the possibilities, 1. are you sure the hdd is ok ? 2. can you run a repair install that way you won't lose all your data and it could possibly fix the boot sector 3. if all else fails clean install and once your up and running BACKUP

 

[MiniLo]

I know I know! I have reasons for not having done it yet, but I suppose when this sort of stuff happens, no reason in the world is good enough.

1. Just ran the ckdsk utility, and it found no problems. I don't think I'd have any other way to check it ATM anyways.
2. Looked into it, but apparently I can only do a repair install after windows has properly booted?
3. YES I KNOW I PROMISE! :B

Also, I'm going to see if I can boot UNetbootin from my flashdrive tough, so I can at least salvage the half dozen or so files that I'd lose.

 

[1Bowtie]

You might go into bios and change the boot order to CD first, insert your Win 7 dvd and do the repair right from the dvd

 

[MiniLo]

The only option I get is to do the startup repair thing, and that's not doing me any good...

Icky. I guess I should just go and do a clean reinstall and then make that damn backup like I should have from the start.

 

[1Bowtie]

Sorry i wasn't much help but you learned anything it's do frequent backups

 

[MiniLo]

Lol that's alright, hehe.

Aside from the fact that Windows won't even install now. (???)
It says that it can't create/locate the partition it needs, and that I need to check some log for more information. I tried formatting the drive via the manager that pops up when you go through the installation process, but after doing as much as I could there, I can't even do anything through the command line either! Man, I am in over my head...

At this point, I really have nothing left to lose (wiped the drive already) except another $100 for another hdd.

 

[Mellon Head]

Suggestion: Go into BIOS and make sure that your RAM is set to the proper manufacturer's specified voltage, save and reboot. Also, open the case to make sure that the drive cables are securely connected. If it still won't work, try replacing the drive cables.

 

[MiniLo]

Okay, really sorry about wasting your time... all I had to do was restart and everything installed fine.

I'm making a backup image asap! D:

 

[MiniLo]

Aaaaand wtf I woke it up from sleep this morning to find it doing it again. Christ... NOW this is getting frustrating! AAUUGH

Do I need to replace my harddrive?