Solved Windows won't start - system files integrity check and repair 0x490

[rcampana]

A couple nights ago I left my pc on to complete a download and set it to shutdown when it completed. I have done this many times without issue. But since waking up that day, I can not get Windows to start. I have run the start up repair and it is unable to fix my computer. It returns the system files integrity check and repair 0x490 error. I did a system restore from less than a week before and it didn't fix the problem. I have been able to start Windows in safe mode, but that hasn't helped in fixing the issue either.

I recently moved and left my install disk somewhere at home so I am trying to find a way to fix this without having to reinstall Windows. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[writhziden]

Go through each step carefully from the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html tutorial. Report back as you progress and the results of each step.

 

[Hanna 1]

Welcome to the forum
Alongside of what writhziden propose, you can visit this site and see if that can repair your computer:

Run Windows Startup Repair to fix Unable to boot System with error code 0x490

 

[Arc]

Welcome aboard, rcampana

I recently moved and left my install disk somewhere at home so I am trying to find a way to fix this without having to reinstall Windows. Any help would be appreciated.

You need to run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html , for at least three times with restarts after every single run to fix the corrupted MBR. This suggestion is already included in what writhziden suggested.

In order to get the desired results, you are to run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html either using the installation disk, or using a repair disk. As you dont have the installation disk ATM, you can download a repair disk from the link specified in the first post of the thread http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/182947-win7-repair-disk-download.html#post1550905 (you need the 64 bit one, as your system is).

Burn the downloaded ISO in a blank disk, boot from it, and run startup repair for three separate times.

 

[rcampana]

I've been stuck on step one of the link writhziden posted. I can start in safe mode with networking, and I was able to download, install, and update Malwarebytes. I've tried running a full scan twice now, and both times the program froze up about an hour or so into the process. Up to that point, only one infected file was found, which I deleted, but it was an .exe for a firefox addon I've had on here almost as long as I've had the computer. I don't think the problem is related to malware based on what caused the issue and what I've read about it online, which is an unclean shut down.

I'm not sure if I have any blank discs at the moment so I'll have to look. Is it possible to do it with a USB drive or an external HD if they have enough space?

Thank you for the help.

 

[writhziden]

A USB drive can be used. Similar steps to those outlined in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92177-boot-windows-7-system-repair-disc-usb-using-grub4dos.html can be used with other ISOs. That link is to guide you in putting the ISO on USB and making it bootable; you do not need the repair disc parts of the tutorial unless you also want to make a repair disc.

Regardless, I would recommend you skip the malware steps and get straight to the startup repair steps since that is the general consensus from the other people who have offered help. Do the steps in that tutorial I gave in this order: 4 (run the startup repair at least three times with a restart in between each), 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, and if needed: 2, 1

 

[rcampana]

I was able to make a bootable USB and am in the process of doing the first of three start up repairs and restarts. Does it matter if they are not in immediate succession? The disk repair can take over an hour and I won't be able to wait here to do the next two.

 

[writhziden]

It is best to run them in succession. Not doing so may lead you back to needing to run three in a row later.

 

[rcampana]

Ok I did the first repair, but after I restarted and ran the second repair it said it couldn't find anything preventing Windows from starting. I tried to start Windows normally then but it still didn't work. I'm just gonna have to do this tomorrow because I'm leaving shortly.

 

[writhziden]

Alright, when you do so tomorrow, run the repair three times with a restart in between each even if it says it did not find anything to repair.

 

[rcampana]

Ok so I went through all three startup repairs and restarts and it still doesn't work. Just like last night, it couldn't find any problems on the second and third repairs.

 

[rcampana]

SFC scan did not find any violations.

 

[boyans]

You can try deleting bootmgr.

( "drive_letter:" is where Win 7 is installed could be c: d:, e:, ...! Use dir command or diskpart to see drive mappings)

From Recovery prompt:

drive_letter:
attrib -s -h -r bootmgr
del bootmgr

+ these commands:

bootsect /nt60 ALL /force /mbr - writes MBR and PBR's
bcdboot drive_letter:\windows - this command recreates bootmgr and \boot

 

[writhziden]

Looks like you've made good progress. Did you have a chance yet to rebuild your BCD and fix the MBR? Any success with those steps?

 

[rcampana]

I tried the bootrec.exe tool which worked successfully but didn't fix the issue. I then tried boyan's suggestion but the last line of the commands was not working. And now since I have no bootmgr, I can't even start in safe mode. When I try booting from the USB, it also no longer works.

At this point I think I'm probably stuck without a Windows install disc.

 

[writhziden]

You can create a Windows install disc or bootable USB Windows Installer. The links are given in Greg's tutorial. All you need is a blank disc or a blank USB with at least 4 GB.

 

[boyans]

I am sorry not to mention that Recovery means Recovery CD / USB.

When you repair the booting on HDD you should always have some other media( CD/DVD/USB ) for starting/repairing the computer !
It is best to have a CD/DVD and a USB if optical or USB device fails.

You can copy bootmgr to root "\" using whatever LiveCD.

Copy of bootmgr can be found in \Windows\Boot\PCAT on your HDD.

 

[rcampana]

You can create a Windows install disc or bootable USB Windows Installer. The links are given in Greg's tutorial. All you need is a blank disc or a blank USB with at least 4 GB.

I don't know which tutorial you are referring to and I'm not exactly sure how I would be able to burn a cd when Windows can't even start in safe mode.

 

[writhziden]

You would burn a CD or DVD on a different computer. See if you can use a friend's system or sometimes libraries have this capability.

Did you see my post #2? That is Greg's tutorial. See step 5. for the USB bootable option.

 

[rcampana]

I was able to borrow a friend's install disc so I'm up and running now on a fresh Windows install. It seems that it also created a "Windows.old" folder that has all of my files so I didn't even lose anything! Thanks for the help guys.