Wont Start Up

[Frankfries]

Hey guys,

I've been having problems starting up my computer (Lenovo Y450). Every time I push the power button, it loads up the Windows logo and then goes into another screen where it says its doing a windows startup repair. It tries to repair, then it concludes by saying it couldnt fix the error and gives me the option to send information to Microsoft. Then it restarts my computer and this cycle continues on and on again. I cant even reach my log in screen. I have a OEM copy of windows 7 (from Lenovo) And I'm still covered for warranty unfortunetly Lenovo told me I run the "high risk" of losing all of my files (which I REALLY cannot afford to lose). Any advice out there?

 

[Thorsen]

I might not be back on for a while, but I will post some questions and suggestions:

Have you tried to boot into safe mode? this is done by pressing the F8 key when booting.

If you have a install disc you can also put the install disc in and do a system restore from the disc:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Use Method Two for the recovery disc

 

[Thorsen]

More info requested, Please also fill in your system specs in User Control Panel: http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra

Some info on how to get system specs from computer: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/8-forum-rules.html#post256049

Also, do you have another computer available?

 

[zigzag3143]

Hey guys,

I've been having problems starting up my computer (Lenovo Y450). Every time I push the power button, it loads up the Windows logo and then goes into another screen where it says its doing a windows startup repair. It tries to repair, then it concludes by saying it couldnt fix the error and gives me the option to send information to Microsoft. Then it restarts my computer and this cycle continues on and on again. I cant even reach my log in screen. I have a OEM copy of windows 7 (from Lenovo) And I'm still covered for warranty unfortunetly Lenovo told me I run the "high risk" of losing all of my files (which I REALLY cannot afford to lose). Any advice out there?

Can I assume you dont have a back up? Your only option besides a clean install is a repair install. You need to boot from the win 7 dvd and complete the repair install.

Failing that do you have another OS like linux, or mac?


ken

 

[Frankfries]

I'll try the safe mode once I get home (I'm at work right now).

Also if I were to do repair install, would I lose any documents, because I have very important files on my computer.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Always and I mean always do a back up first and store your important stuff on a thumb drive or DVD disk.
Then follow the steps or wait for Thorsen to get back to you.

 

[Thorsen]

Here is the Tutorial for the Repair Install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

You can only do this from within Windows. I think the system restore is your best first option. This will allow you to revert to a point before the error started occurring. Hopefully you have restore points. These are usually created automatically. Go back to the day before the last restore point (latest date) and if it doesn't work, then try the day before that restore point.

 

[Thorsen]

The other option is Startup Repair, but I think your system already tried this and failed. you can still try from within the installation disc: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html


Edit: you might get this to work by running it manually even though the system failed to.

 

[Thorsen]

Can someone post the best way to backup these files from outside windows?

 

[Frankfries]

Ok so just to clarify:

- First try a system restore (from the installation disk) and hope that it restores to a good point
- If not, try a Startup Repair, which is also done through the installation disk. Now is this Starup Repair the same thing as Repair Install?
- Last option is lose everything, reformat my computer, and all hell breaks loose =)

Also on a side note, if I were to access my computer via Safe Mode (as suggested earlier) could I fix the problem there? Or would I just access that way to get all my files and reformat my computer?

 

[Thorsen]

Ok so just to clarify:

- First try a system restore (from the installation disk) and hope that it restores to a good point
- If not, try a Startup Repair, which is also done through the installation disk. Now is this Starup Repair the same thing as Repair Install?
- Last option is lose everything, reformat my computer, and all hell breaks loose =)

Also on a side note, if I were to access my computer via Safe Mode (as suggested earlier) could I fix the problem there? Or would I just access that way to get all my files and reformat my computer?

no not really. All hell will stay put where it is. I posted in another thread for help. I will post their suggestions here

 

[Thorsen]

From within Safe mode, you could access all your files. I would suggest this first

 

[Lordbob75]

Can someone post the best way to backup these files from outside windows?

He has 2 options:
1) Take out the HDD and plug it into another computer to access the files
2) Install Linux to access the files

He should go buy an external drive and backup ALL his important files on it

~Lordbob

 

[Thorsen]

If it comes to doing a re-install, your previous system files will be saved in a file called windows.old This will contain all of your user data and program files. So even if you have to do an install you should still not loose your files.

Dont worry, we'll get to the bottom of this


Edit: Thanks Lordbob

 

[Lordbob75]

If it comes to doing a re-install, your previous system files will be saved in a file called windows.old This will contain all of your user data and program files. So even if you have to do an install you should still not loose your files.

Dont worry, we'll get to the bottom of this


Edit: Thanks Lordbob

Just make sure to NOT FORMAT YOUR DRIVE!

No problem Thor.

~Lordbob

 

[HighTechGeek]

If you have access to another PC, you can recover your files by opening both cases, removing the hard drive from the non-bootable system, and connecting it to the bootable system. You should be able to connect it to the motherboard using a SATA cable and most power supplies have extra power connectors for adding drives.

Now, when you boot up, the moved hard drive should show up on the bootable system as drive E: or F: or whatever. Copy whatever files you want off of it to the bootable system or to a usb drive or burn them to CD or DVD.

You shouldn't need anything but a screwdriver and a SATA cable (which you can temporarily pull out of the unbootable system).

Once you have all your files copied over to the bootable system, put the drive back into the unbootable system and do a clean install.

 

[HighTechGeek]

Can someone post the best way to backup these files from outside windows?

He has 2 options:
1) Take out the HDD and plug it into another computer to access the files
2) Install Linux to access the files

He should go buy an external drive and backup ALL his important files on it

~Lordbob

You guys post too fast! haha!
I see Lordbob's already suggested plugging into a 2nd PC!

If you can get into SAFE MODE, though, then that's your best bet for backing up your files!

 

[Thorsen]

Yeah, I am not sure if the computer he is posting from is a desktop or another laptop


Off topic....There are 6 Members looking at this post right now. You guys rock

Edit: Additional info.... I didnt want to post to much. So I am editing here.

I think frankfries is at work and cant do the instructions yet.

Frankfries, please post when you have tried to get into safe mode or if you need help with it.

 

[Lordbob75]

If you have access to another PC, you can recover your files by opening both cases, removing the hard drive from the non-bootable system, and connecting it to the bootable system. You should be able to connect it to the motherboard using a SATA cable and most power supplies have extra power connectors for adding drives.

Now, when you boot up, the moved hard drive should show up on the bootable system as drive E: or F: or whatever. Copy whatever files you want off of it to the bootable system or to a usb drive or burn them to CD or DVD.

You shouldn't need anything but a screwdriver and a SATA cable (which you can temporarily pull out of the unbootable system).

Once you have all your files copied over to the bootable system, put the drive back into the unbootable system and do a clean install.

That is a very good option. Don't forget that the HDD might be an IDE drive, in which case it may be more difficult (but the same procedure applies).

I recommend trying this first if you have a second computer.

~Lordbob

 

[Frankfries]

You guys hve been so helpful thanks so much! So here is a little update via my iPhone(pardon my spelling errors).
So I tried doing the f8 safe mode... Didn't work
I also tried the startup repair... Didn't work either
fortunetly being that I have a lenovo, I have my one key recovery button. I am curently in the proxcess of backing up all my files into my external.
After that I plan on doing a system restore but if that fails I will jar to reformat I believe