Solved Windows 7 Startup Failure

[makehillflat]

G'day,

First post here, and I'm at the end of my tether. I've got a machine that has a lot of important (and difficult to rebuild) Outlook 2007 accounts, and and some other complex configurations that won't be easy to rebuild.

Yes... I know, and I will advise that this machine remains backed up in the future.

It happened after a power outage and the people who own it were able to get in, then couldn't.

What I've tried:

1. Windows startup repair (ahahahah, that's funny)
- Automatic
- Restore
- Command line (fixes for MBR and HDD scans, etc)

2. Verified all hardware is working. Even rebuilt on different, known good machine (same type and BIOS).

3. New Windows OS install, copied over old profile to new profile. Pandora's box of folder ownership and privaleges opened. This is not an option unless you are REALLY patient. At one point, I got the profile working, access to all folders, then *POOF*, thank, M$, all lost, no access to the folders, files and programs I had during the same session.

4. Obviously, Safe Mode; Just no go.

5. Logging: Wouldn't log anything.

6. Last Known Good: Just hahahahaha.

What I REALLY want to do is be able to get into Windows to export all the accounts and things out. Failing that, if I could find a way to restore Outlook 2007 email account SETTINGS, that would be awesome. I tried moving all the APPDATA files, but Outlook don't care. Outlook's a badass.

Thanks for any help!!!

Cheers
Dave

 

[GokAy]

How many HDD does that PC have? Can you post a screenshot of the drives with bootable Partition Wizard free (Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition). Make sure all partitions and their details are visible. Take a couple of photos if need be.

See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html in case you have missed a step.
Also see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

 

[makehillflat]

Thanks for that, GoKay.

I went back through the steps, and while the answer wasn't there, it reminded me of something that, should I have checked, would've saved me some long bloody hours!

Apparently the power spike freaked out the BIOS and reset everything. Windows was installed with the SATA controller on ATA mode. The bIOS seen it back to AHCI. A couple clicks later, I was back into Windows.

Don't worry, I face palmed with tremendous force

Thanks again ��
Dave

 

[GokAy]

Oh hehe, glad it got fixed. If you wish to revert to AHCI - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61869-ahci-enable-windows-7-vista.html. Adjust BIOS after registry change. If no go, revert BIOS and keep using ATA.