Windows 7 won't boot!

[Omlet]

Just as the title says, Windows 7 won't boot AT ALL. I have no idea what happened. I use this particular computer just for gaming and has been working like a charm. I turned off the computer to take a nap, woke up and turned it on, and Windows won't boot! I'm taken back to the screen which allows me to choose to boot normally or fix the start-up. I've tried using my installation disc to repair the problem, but the computer can't find the OS during the fixing proccess! What could have possible happened after the last shutdown?? :shock:

Will this require a total re-format? I'd like to explore all other options before using this since it took me five straight days of installing games and patches. I REALLY would hate to go through that again.

Thank you in advance!

 

[richc46]

Try in safe mode and try a repair install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?filter[2]=General Tips

 

[Omlet]

Try in safe mode and try a repair install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?filter[2]=General Tips

I'll give it a go!

 

[thebigg123]

Just re-format. It will take you longer in diagnosis.

 

[Omlet]

I've actually just tried to do that. Howver, my setup refuses to go past the language screen. I know that it can't be the disc since I used it to install everything just fine.

 

[SIW2]

Boot a free partition manager , like this one:

Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to boot computer directly ...

See what it says about the partitions.

 

[polarbear]

Just re-format. It will take you longer in diagnosis.

Ouch...

Try all the other options first and post back before you try the above... GL

 

[Omlet]

I'm giving the partition manager a go.

 

[Omlet]

Alrighty, so, I used the partition manager and noticed that my partition name is *: and not C:. Would that be the problem? Other then that, I can see all my files just fine.

 

[Omlet]

Quick update: I ran the surface test tool and it found one error. How do I go about fixing this? A friend of mine said to put the drive in another ocmputer and set it as a slave, and then to use disc checker on it. Is this wise?

 

[darkassain]

Quick update: I ran the surface test tool and it found one error. How di I go about fixing this? A friend of mine said to put the drive in another ocmputer and set it as a slave, and then to use disc checker on it. Is this wise?

if its more convenient for you then yes if its recognized at all
if this is disk error (as in a bad sector) then mostly likely its bad and the only thing you can do is mark it as bad...


Question does the partition manager show its formated as NTFS or Fat32?
if not you might to use recovery software to see if you can still access and recover your data if you dont have a backup...

 

[karlsnooks]

Omlet,
Let's back up some.
First - do not panic
2nd - do not reformat
3rd - do not repartition.

Let's try to get your system to working again. No need to throw the baby out with the dirty water.

Can you SAFE BOOT?
In other words,
Turn power on,
Immediately, start tapping the F8 key
Keep tapping until you are presented with a "Advanced boot menu".

There are several options given there, but let's go for the gold: choose Safe Boot

A side question, did you make a "System Repair Disk"?
We may be able to use that. Incidentally, you can use one that someone else has made on their Win 7 system.

 

[Omlet]

I can't boot into Safe Mode either. It shows me the screen loading all the drivers, but then the computer just restarts itself and takes me back to the "Windows did not start successfully" screen. I have yet to create a system repair disc, however, but I can make one. I'm using my laptop which is running x32 Windows 7 while my desktop is x64. Would it be possible to create a disc using my laptop?

Also, darkassain, it shows my partition as NTFS. I can access all my folders with no problem, and I don't see anything out of the ordinary in the System32 folder.

 

[karlsnooks]

Omlet,
The win 64 System Repair Disk will not be compatible with a Win 86 system.

 

[SIW2]

Give it a drive letter with Partition Wizard. C if you think that is the right one - you can always change it later. Rt click the partition select change drive letter , choose C in the drop down, OK.
Then click APPLY in the bottom left of the window.

Then see how you get on with the win 7 boot disc.

 

[Omlet]

Changing the drive letter did no good. I still cannot get into safemode. If needed, I can upgrade my laptop from x32 to x64.

I renamed the drive to C. Should I leave it like that or change it?

 

[SIW2]

Try changing the drive letter in the operating system registry.

Easy to do with FREE Rescue Kit Express | PARAGON Software Group - free partition ...

Boot the Paragon cd, select Normal mode>Boot Corrector>Correct drive letters in system registry.

Assign the letter it originally had ( probably C ). I assume 7 identified itself as C when you were able to boot into it? If it was D or something else, use that letter instead

 

[Omlet]

Ya, I'll have to try that. Ever sinced I changed the drive letter, I can't even get into the setup mode. I'll keep you posted.

 

[yowanvista]

Ya, I'll have to try that. Ever sinced I changed the drive letter, I can't even get into the setup mode. I'll keep you posted.

Boot from your Windows7 setup DVD, select Repair> Command Prompt
The enter bootrec.exe/fixmbr
This should fix Boot manager if it is corrupted

 

[Omlet]

Ok, I think there is something major wrong with the HD. I went to the boot corrector, but it tells me I have no HD installed???