Windows won't boot from anything

[Shayno123]

Hi, im rather new to this but really REALLY need help with fixing my girlfriends computer, im relatively computer savvy but this one has eluded me for some time now. She wanted me to reinstall windows so I agreed to do so. However when I go to boot from disk, there is the small line flashing it disappears and then I get a black screen. I tried booting it from several different sources but none of them seem to want to work. I can't even get it to boot into safe mode. What is wrong with it?

Every source that I try booting from gets me a black screen now.

 

[x BlueRobot]

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

Follow the above tutorial for the perfect reinstall, are sure her DVD/CD-ROM drive is working?

Why is a clean install required?

 

[Sir George]

Hi, im rather new to this but really REALLY need help with fixing my girlfriends computer, im relatively computer savvy but this one has eluded me for some time now. She wanted me to reinstall windows so I agreed to do so. However when I go to boot from disk, there is the small line flashing it disappears and then I get a black screen. I tried booting it from several different sources but none of them seem to want to work. I can't even get it to boot into safe mode. What is wrong with it?

Every source that I try booting from gets me a black screen now.

Do you know how to get to the BIOS? If so, what is the first boot source?

HTH

 

[Shayno123]

A clean reinstall isnt "required" just want to clean everything off and now that I can get it to boot its looking like the only option and the disk drive works, im not sure if its a loose connection or what.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Have you booted into the BIOS, as suggested by Sir George?

You mentioned you were going to reinstall Windows 7 so why isn't a clean install needed?

You can check the BIOS, and then check if the hard-drive is being detected, you may also want to check the boot priority list in the BIOS too.

 

[Shayno123]

Its set to cd/dvd because I was going to clean install windows 7 but no matter what I change it to in the BIOS its still not booting.

 

[Shayno123]

it just doesnt seem to want to boot now idk what could possibly be wrong with it

 

[Shayno123]

It says it is reading the hdd and i put it as priority 1 but it still does not want to boot i get a black screen after i save settings and reset.

 

[x BlueRobot]

it just doesnt seem to want to boot now idk what could possibly be wrong with it

Where is the DVD is from? What is the condition of the disk?

 

[Shayno123]

from an iso file, and the disk is in perfect condition just bought

 

[x BlueRobot]

Do you hear any POST beeps?

I've requested more additional help so hopefully someone has a few ideas.

 

[Shayno123]

Do you hear any POST beeps?

Nope, it starts up, I see the Dell logo, then there's the blinking cursor, and it goes away and then its just a black screen.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Enter the BIOS, check if the CD-ROM/DVD drive is being detected, then go to the boot priority and change the it to the DVD, and then put the DVD into the drive.

Do you get a message saying "Press certain keys to boot from the DVD/CD-ROM"?

Also, this may sound slightly silly, but have you tried to disconnect all the hard-drives and the CD-ROM/DVD drive and repeating the above process?

 

[Shayno123]

Enter the BIOS, check if the CD-ROM/DVD drive is being detected, then go to the boot priority and change the it to the DVD, and then put the DVD into the drive.

Do you get a message saying "Press certain keys to boot from the DVD/CD-ROM"?

Where would it show it the drive is being detected? When I tried this earlier it was saying "press any key to start" but now it just shows a blinking cursor

 

[Shayno123]

I don't have a set of screwdrivers small enough to take the back panel off =[

 

[gregrocker]

Boot into BIOS setup by tapping the key given for it at boot, confirm the HD is detected, then make sure DVD drive is set to boot first followed by HDD.

Now try booting the DVD. Does it prompt to Press Any Key? If not burn another DVD from latest official ISO using tool provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If this fails, use the same tool to write official ISO to flash stick, try booting it by setting HDD first to boot in BIOS setup, save and reboot to tap the F key given on first boot screen for BIOS BOot menu, look for stick to boot under USB, Removable or HD's. If this fails unplug the DVD drive which may be interfering.

Once you're able to boot the disk run Startup Repair and then work through the other steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start leading up to possible Clean Reinstall after rescuiing any files.

 

[Arc]

Make a bootable flash drive and try using it?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

 

[Shayno123]

I dont have a flash drive large enough however im going to be leaving for a few minutes and am going to try and get a set of screwdrivers so that I can make sure the CD/DVD is secure.

 

[gregrocker]

I gave you other steps that don't require a screwdriver. Try them first.

4gb flash sticks are around $5.

 

[Slartybart]

Put the screwdriver away.

This is a Dell 63 bit Win 7 machine, right? At least that what your system specs tell me. Actually I had to divine the Dell part from one of your posts.


I'm guessing that you can still boot from the hard drive. While on the problem machine and logged on to SF - click on the Easy system specs link in my signature, download the exe and run it, tell the app to fill in the SF specs for you. There's nothing to install, just download and run

Is the Recovery partition available and can you launch the Dell recovery app. I know this is against your religion Greg and maybe Shayno123 will decide later a clean install is best, but for now I think a Factory Restore is a good path. Once Shayno123 has a stable machine for his girlfriend, they can discuss the re-reinstall.

I'm with you on the clean install though. I don't know how hard it will be for Shayno123 to create the media to accomplish that, given comments re: DVD drive, USB and screwdrivers.



Bad guess, just reread 1st post.

Anyway, please update the SF specs regarding the machine with the issue, Follow Greg's advice to get you up and running post haste.

Thanks in advance for updating your specs Shayno123