Solved Windows won't boot and either hangs or loops

[alien72]

Hello. I have a Dell Alienware M14X Laptop running on Windows 7 Home Premium x64, and when I try to start my computer I get to the “Windows Error Recovery” screen with the options “Launch Startup Repair” and “Start Windows Normally”.

When I choose to start normally it just loops back to the Windows Error Recovery Screen. I’ve tried both the Launch Startup Repair option and using my System Repair/Installation disk and it they both get to the point where there it’s just the Windows wallpaper and mouse cursor, but it won’t load beyond that and is stuck that way with no menus.

I also tried to reformat my hard drive with my installation disk, but when it gets to the “Setup is starting...” screen it stays there and never loads.

When I try to run safe mode, it starts loading some files and then stops loading files for a few minutes and then it just loops back to the Windows Error Recovery screen.

So basically, pretty much everything I try won't load properly.

Some help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GokAy]

See this thread about AVG - http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...tuck-starting-windows-screen.html#post3091681

When you can't start in Safe Mode - https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en_US&urlname=Disabling-AVG-when-Windows-cannot-start

Report back if this doesn't work, so we can look at other alternatives

 

[alien72]

I used the AVG Rescue CD and went through all the steps, but windows still won't start.

 

[GokAy]

Try boot-repair-disk - Browse Files at SourceForge.net get the 64bit version

Also Lazesoft Recovery Suite, Windows System Recovery, Data Recovery, Password Recovery if that doesn't work

 

[gregrocker]

Everything that can be done is here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

If you decide to reinstall here are steps to Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[GokAy]

Greg, I was going to link "Failure to Start", but seeing OP can't even reach Recovery options I skipped it. By the way, Easy Recovery Essentials suggested in the tutorial is paid now (perhaps free at the time of writing).

 

[gregrocker]

Every time I've ever been told that System Recovery Options will not boot and run in a case where I have access to the PC, I am able to make them run - if not via F8 key, then using Win7 or System Repair Disk. It takes proper timing and persistence.

For this reason there is large section in tutorial on booting the disk correctly, if F8 cannot be made to work at all even after trying it repeatedly using tapping the key, holding the key down, etc.

If the disk fails to boot, then try flash stick alternative which is made available for all tools where there is a disk to use in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start .

Most hard drive diagnostics disks, Partition Wizard and Paragon Rescue disk (for rescuiing stranded files) will autostart without requiring the user to boot them. In the rarest case where nothing including resetting or reflashing BIOS will allow Win7 or repair disk to boot, then files can often be rescued by autostarting Paragon or slaving drive to another PC, then after testing hard drive with maker's HD Diagnostic disk/stick it can be wiped which should then force the Win7 installation media to autostart itself.

If slaving the hard drive is the only way files can be accessed and repairs run, then the reinstall can be done that way too, later using Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD or if that fails using SysPrep to move HD to another computer.

However I can't think of a case where resetting/reflashing BIOS or forcing wiping the disk to reinstall did not resolve the issue where disks would not boot. With a new install it always seems to work which points to bad boot code on the hard drive blocking OD boot, something which is seen irregularly here too. That's why a test to see if disk can be made to boot is to unplug hard drive. The fix for boot code which interferes is to use the Disk Utility to Quick Wipe which is the equivalent of Diskpart Clean Command .

I hope this helps. I know its frustrating but I've never seen one abandoned completely because of this seemingly insurmountable hurdle.

 

[alien72]

I used Boot Repair Disk but that didn't work. I tried using Lazesoft Recovery Suite, but after clicking on Windows Recovery its been stuck on the "Loading Windows information..." screen for about 30 minutes now. I'm not sure if it's not working and is stuck or if just takes a long time to load.

 

[GokAy]

No idea about repair being stuck

Try loading defaults in BIOS, and also try with a bootable USB repair disc as Greg hinted.

 

[gregrocker]

How exactly did you burn these disks? Use Windows Image Burner. For repair disk use the utility built into a Win7 PC of the same bit version, found by typing Repair CD into Start button search box.

 

[alien72]

I tried resetting BIOS to defaults, didn’t work. I made a Repair Disk using my other Win 7 64-bit computer and it didn’t work.

The USB Repair Disk didn’t work either, but it managed to get to the “System Recovery Options” window which I couldn’t get to before, but the OS doesn’t show up on the list and the cursor is stuck in a loading state not letting me click on anything.

I use PowerISO to burn off my disks. Also, at one point I thought that my hard drive was dead, but I was able to get access to my files and back them up onto my External hard drive using Ubuntu Live CD.

 

[GokAy]

Try running on battery alone and then remove battery and run on AC adapter only.

Boot with Partition Wizard free bootable media and do a disk surface check at least. Best is to check with HDD manufacturer's drive health tool.

 

[alien72]

I can't run on battery alone because my battery has been dead for a while now, so I kinda have to run on AC adapter only. I also already did a surface scan using Partition Wizard and it came up with 6 errors found.

 

[GokAy]

Those 6 errors may very well be the cause of your problems depending on where they are on the HDD.

Scan with Downloads | HGST Storage (WinDFT) and see what will come up.

 

[alien72]

I ran WinDFT, and under the device list, the only thing displayed is: <empty>

 

[gregrocker]

You may need to change the SATA controller in BIOS setup to IDE to get DFT to read the drive.

If that fails try Seatools, to confirm the drive is failing per Partition Wizard.

I am glad you got your files.

If you need to replace drive the best upgrade you can give yourself if to buy an SSD, better even then buying a new PC without one. Then do a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

 

[alien72]

The only options under SATA in the BIOS are: ATA and ACHI. I don't see IDE. I ran SeaTools and no hard drives were found.

 

[GokAy]

Select ATA, and don't forget to switch it back to AHCI later.

 

[alien72]

Okay, I changed it to ATA and I ran WinDFT again and now my hard drive is showing up in the device list. I scanned using Quick Test and after scanning it said: Disposition Code = 0x00

 

[GokAy]

perform an extended test or similar