Solved Windows 7 won't start

[JWelk]

My Windows 7 has stopped working again. It won't start. The HD lamp stays lit most of the time. I created backup/restore disks and they worked in January, but do nothing now. I had created several restore points, but the restore function can't find them.
By pressing F8, I can get to the start screen, no matter what function I select, I get "Loading Windows files" at the top of the page, and "please wait" at the bottom.
If I let Windows start normally, I get to the screen with System Restore,.....Command Prompt. The only function that seems to do anything is System Image Recovery. I install disk 4 (the last disk) as requested and I get message stating "The specified location does not contain information about your hardware."

For what its worth when doing Start up repair I get the following reports Number of repair attempts 29.
Root Cause found Start up repair has tied several times but still cannot determine the cause of the problem.
Auto Check run Number of Root Causes 1
A number of tests were performed successfully all with error code 0x0.
One other test that was performed found Root Cause 12
Many of these were .dll files that were not found
Appinfo,dciman32,devon, devrti, dpnhupnp, dpnlobby, droinst, dxmas, msoxm.ocx, spwmd, tsgqecid.
I was able to find all of these on C/program files/system 32.
Hopefully, there is an answer to this.
Thanks in advance

Jim W

 

[gregrocker]

Hi Jim -

Boot into BIOS setup using the key given on first boot screen. Is the HD detected under storage devices?

If not, reinstall the HD or replace it. You can test it with the maker's HD Diagnostic
extended CD scan if you're unsure.

If the HD is detected, then work through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

 

[JWelk]

Greg:
Thank you for the prompt response. While your post did not directly help me, you prompted a couple of questions which led me to an ACER help site. So far that has seemed to work, I have been able to use the recovery disks and have reloaded them. After I get it setup, create a restore point etc. I found a WD diagnostic site and will check the HD.
I'll repost anything interesting I find.

Thanks

Jim
If I mark this as solved will I be able to add updates? Should I wait until I (hopefully) discover the cause?

 

[gregrocker]

Jim -

The Acer factory preinstall is a corrupt install larded with factory bloatware and useless duplicate utiltiies which throttle and smother Win7's native performance.

That's why most tech enthusiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
following the steps in the tutorial which will yield a perfect install.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware but the bloatware corruption goes so deep it will never compare to the featherlight, instantaneous Win7 you get with a Clean Install.

 

[JWelk]

Thanks again. Found the problem, after going to the Acer site, I found a link to Western Digital. I was able to run the diagnostic, the short version went fine, the extended failed after 15 minutes or so, too many bad sectors. I ordered a new one from ebay last nite. Then I will follow your advice and get a clean version of Windows.
Should I do this before I install the new HD? Do I download with on another computer?

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

Just follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are detailed so that nothing will be forgotten in preparation for the install, then steps provided to get and keep a perfect install.

 

[boohbah]

send her this link

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[JWelk]

Greg:
Got the HD today and installed it. I then tried to follow the clean install steps. I downloaded a 3.1 gig .iso file. it did nothing when I installed it. I set the boot to the CDROM with Neg results. I'm not using the UEFI install format.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I used the first disk from the Acer group. Of course I want to delete this, should I format the new HD, and how do I do this.
Thanks

Jim

 

[gregrocker]

Are you following the guide Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7?

After burning the ISO to DVD with MS tool in Steps 1 and 2, boot DVD by tapping the F12 key at boot. It should give you a DVD drive choice on the menu to highlight an Select. Then it should prompt to Press any key to boot DVD. If not the DVD is not burned correctly or ISO is not complete.

Then follow the illustrated steps in Clean Install Windows 7 to complete the install while you study the other tutorial steps to set it up perfectly.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[JWelk]

Ahh the sweet sound of success. I got it running early this morning. The first 2 copies of the .iso failed to work. Don't know why they looked the same to me. It's registered and working, so another success to this thread. My question now concerns the drivers. Should I install all of the Acer drivers, or just the ones I think I need? I know I'm going to need the sound card, but am not sure of the others.
Thanks

Jim W

 

[DocBrown]

Hi Jim

Go to Control Panel & run Windows Update. Get all the recent needed updates. You may have to run this several times if not set to automatic.. After this, you may have to install some of the Acer drivers if you are still missing things.