Windows 7 stuck in reboot loop following windows 10 upgrade

[Norfbech]

^^ Cheers - absolutely right. One COA sticker on the back of one, the other was hidden inside the batt compartment.
Both Home Prem.

Have downloaded the Windows 7 (via download tool) and can it as a DVD Drive (E): GSP1 (presume this is the ISO?)- presume this is the file (I went away as it was downloading) so I'll try and locate a burning option on the PC I'm currently at. I haven't fully read the instructions yet so I'll give them a quick read.

Many thanks.

 

[DavidE]

I don't know what GSP1 is.
The file downloaded should have an .ISO extension.

Here is a tutorial for creating a bootable DVD from an ISO.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/548-burn-disc-image-iso-img-file.html

I use ImgBurn to create bootable discs, but Win 7 has a built in tool.

 

[Norfbech]

I'll have a proper read. No ISO extension, just the DVD Drive (E) GSP1 then the boot, efi, sources, support etc folders and a setup at the end. This was via the download tool.
I'm also about to download the DVD/USB tool (via Windows) but it's asking for .net 2.0 before I can continue.
Have downloaded 3 versions so I'll see where that takes me!
Cheers.

Edit - just to clarify (and not knowing Windows too well) I'm doing all this on a new PC with Windows 10 (not sure if ISO are read/downloaded differently)?

 

[DavidE]

I'm not sure.
In my screen print in Post #11 ,I clicked on Save and specified where to save the download file.
Did you click on Open ?

 

[Norfbech]

I'll try again - can't recall (and it was only a short time ago!!) if I clicked open or save, and although it downloaded, I cannot find a ISO windows 7 file...

Cheers.

 

[DavidE]

I tested downloading an iso using the Open option and that created a GSP1 file on a DVD drive.
I also found the ISO file in a temp folder on my C drive.

I'm sure these are usable, but i've never done it this way before.
I always like to do a Download / Save, so i know where the file is, and i have the original file to work with.

 

[Norfbech]

I tested downloading an iso using the Open option and that created a GSP1 file on a DVD drive.
I also found the ISO file in a temp folder on my C drive.

I'm sure these are usable, but i've never done it this way before.
I always like to do a Download / Save, so i know where the file is, and i have the original file to work with.

Hi David - there is probably a way, but I haven't really looked into it.
In the meantime I've installed/downloaded the ISO file (Saving it this time) and have located it this PC's documents folder. Next step is to burn (presumably there is a built in burner in Windows 10 - otherwise I'll dig around for a prog) and try and install on both DELL laptops.
Ultimately it might be a case of hardware (HDD fail) in both machines rendering this pursuit a dead end (although, as ever, I've learned a few things from this thread alone!).

Many thanks - I'll report back as and when.

 

[DavidE]

OK, keep us posted with results and questions.

If you can't get this working another possibility is to do a Clean Install of Windows 7.
For that you would need a READABLE Product Key on the COA sticker.

If it is a HD failure, you would need to get a new HD first.
All this is possible, if you want to spend the time and effort to keep these Laptops usable.

 

[Norfbech]

OK, keep us posted with results and questions.

If you can't get this working another possibility is to do a Clean Install of Windows 7.
For that you would need a READABLE Product Key on the COA sticker.

If it is a HD failure, you would need to get a new HD first.
All this is possible, if you want to spend the time and effort to keep these Laptops usable.

Thanks David - ISO has burned successfully, so the next step will be trying to boot from that (I'll jump back to the Windows notes).

Apoloigies - not sure what you mean (or at least what it entails) by Clean Install? I thought by burning a copy of Windows 7 then that would be the 'clean install' rather than a system repair?
New HD might be an option, but I'll have to weigh up the cost vs other factors (I've replaced parts in PC towers but thought it nigh on impossible in certain laptops). Will look into though (RAM is probably a bit low on these machines). The PC I'm typing in (my daughters new one) came in at a very good price for the spec (not the highest, but works very well for her needs: Minecraft, SIMS, browsing, Word etc).
Went for an integrated AMD board, but for the price I'm very impressed. Going a bit off topic here though!

Many thanks!

 

[DavidE]

This thread has many possibilities that have been discussed.
I thought we were now trying to see if a Startup Repair might fix the problem.
I'm not sure what "state" these laptops are in now, but in post #1 you stated:

Unfortunately it fell short of the full upgrade and rendered the laptop unusable. However, the laptop did return to a working Windows 7 (I presume Home edition - not sure how I can find out at the moment) for a brief period.
It then returned the reboot loop: Error 0xcf000000f - every option including repair, safe mode does not work and it enters another reboot.

If you want to do a Clean Install, there are tutorials for that.
A Clean Install will wipe out everything on the "C" drive, including all installed programs and User data.

Having the bootable Windows DVD, you should have the choice of what you want to try, Repair or Install.

 

[Norfbech]

Having the bootable Windows DVD, you should have the choice of what you want to try, Repair or Install

Thanks David - this is where I'd got a little lost - ignore my last post!
Either is fine (both backed up) but I'll try repair then install (I mistakingly thought I needed to versions of Windows 7 - one for repair and one for clean install...).

Huge thanks again - I'll keep the thread updated with progress!

Cheers.

 

[Norfbech]

Good results.
On the first laptop (Dell Inspiron) Windows 7 has successfully installed. Not had a full 'play' yet, but all seems to be running smoothly. One thing: I've lost the internet connection and currently unable to find a driver to get the wi-fi working (and not being connected to the internet has scuppered plans to find one!). I suspect it might be better to pick up a new USB wi-fi dongle anyway (like the one on this new PC).

The second laptop (Dell Vostro - newer than the Ispiron) is a little more tricky. Went for system repair (as she probably has a few new files she hadn't backed up) and although Windows 7 was back up (with all her programs in the same state) it crashed shortly afterwards. It won't allow me to restore up to the previous working state due to lack of memory (she has thousands of photographs on there from various projects)...but then it crashes before I could make any attempt to back up.

I might try the suggestions on the first page of this thread (re backing up) otherwise I'll have to advise her she'll lose a few files if she wants a working computer again. Still might be a HD fail however.

At least one laptop is working fine however - means our youngest boy has some kind of computer to play around on!

Huge thanks again.
I'll keep updating regarding the Vostro laptop.

 

[TrustMe]

If you would like to backup the photographers on the Dell Vostro you can use Kyhi's Bootable Rescue Disk. It is a live version of Windows. Just download the ISO and burn it to DVD or extract it to a USB flash drive. Boot the DVD or flash drive and copy all the photos, documents, music, to an external hard drive.

I would download the 32-Bit version (x86).

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

 

[Norfbech]

If you would like to backup the photographers on the Dell Vostro you can use Kyhi's Bootable Rescue Disk. It is a live version of Windows. Just download the ISO and burn it to DVD or extract it to a USB flash drive. Boot the DVD or flash drive and copy all the photos, documents, music, to an external hard drive.

I would download the 32-Bit version (x86).

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

Many thanks - I'll try that. I've dropped a load of her old files late last year (onto my EXT drive connected to my Mac). However, the Vostro Windows isn't stable enough to access any files before it drops into the reboot loop. Therefore your suggestion above should be ideal!

Cheers!

 

[Norfbech]

If you would like to backup the photographers on the Dell Vostro you can use Kyhi's Bootable Rescue Disk. It is a live version of Windows. Just download the ISO and burn it to DVD or extract it to a USB flash drive. Boot the DVD or flash drive and copy all the photos, documents, music, to an external hard drive.

I would download the 32-Bit version (x86).

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

Is this suitable for the Windows 7 machine (being a Windows 10 version)?
I've created the ISO and burned to disc the booted up the laptop from DVD, but it's currently sat on the Windows 10 logo (it might be doing something slowly in the background, but as of yet it doesn't seem to be opening to Windows)?

Many thanks.

 

[Norfbech]

Ok - it works fine. Can see all the files I need to transfer
However, all my external HDD's are formatted for MAC so this Vostro can't pick up the HDD when it's attached (it reconized the connection but I can't access the drive to drop files into).
I think there is a piece of S/W to (HFS explorer?) to enable the PC and Mac formatted drives to see each other, but I'll need to get the laptop online (it's lost the drivers for Wi-FI). Failing that, I wonder if I can attach the laptop via ethernet cable direct to my Mac and drop the files there?
Or, pick up a HDD and format it to a PC (more costly method!)

Cheers.

 

[TrustMe]

Well, at least you can see the files. Hopefully it will work out for you. My daughter is in love with MAC, so I know how nothing is compatible.

 

[Norfbech]

^^ Thanks.
Ethernet via sharing is a likely option (and I have done it that way before) but it currently cannot connect...something is awry, but I'll get to the bottom of it! My daughter has around 100Gb of photos on that machine and she'd prefer not to lose anything!
Pressure

Many thanks again.

 

[townsbg]

For cross-compatibility it is best to reformat the drive to either exfat or fat32. Both mac and windows can write to either. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4605709?start=0&tstart=0 Mac should give you the option (under the disk utility) to format as exfat. I don't believe that windows does. A thumb drive will probably come as fat or fat32.

 

[Norfbech]

Thanks townsbg. I may even have another HDD connected to my mac that is formatted to fat32 (my USB drives are, but such is the size of the documents - 100GB + - I can't really use that option).
I'll try that.

Incidentally, I'm having a royal struggle trying to access files on the Vostro when connected to the network (via ethernet).
I have actually (successfully) carried this out last year, but I cannot for the life of me access it anymore.
Not sure if it's due to the Windows7 version being corrupted? I've ended up on threads on here trying to find a resolve (spent the past couple of hours going through everything!!

I can't even find the Network Username/Password as the Homegroup option is not working for me.
I can see the Mac from the PC and vice versa...very frustrating.

Wondering if I could boot up the rescue disk (as posted above) and see if I can access the files that way (if the current Windows is too corrupted to access)?

Cheers.