windows won't boot after update?

Hi all,

Last night (Sat 17/6 Australian) when I shut down my computer for the night I chose "install updates and shut down", since there was one waiting. The update had been waiting for maybe 3-4 days since download as I was just putting my computer to sleep (working on a project - saved to USB!).

It was just one update, but it seemed to take an abnormally long time to install, maybe half an hour.

This evening when I pressed the button to start up my computer it came up with a screen that said that Windows couldn't start and that a corrupted or incomplete file may be the cause. It gave two options - to start Windows normally or to use Startup Repair.

I tried starting Windows normally but it just came back to that page. I tried using System Repair but all that happens is it says "Windows is loading files" and then after a minute or so the screen is black with a white mouse arrow (I can move the mouse arrow around). Nothing else happens.

The computer is a Toshiba laptop only seven months old (if that), and it came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium (I think it may have been 64 bit but I'm not certain). It did not come with a Windows boot disk. I have not had any problems with the computer except for a virus accidentally downloaded four months ago, and removed with no problems by System Restore. Lately the computer has been locking up frequently in Internet Explorer (just freezing and then unfreezing).

Everything on that computer I can afford to lose; I don't care if I have to System Restore it back to the very beginning, but I can't get to the command menu to do System Restore. It's like I'm stuck. Help please?


EDIT: I managed to get to the Advanced Boot menu by bashing my F8 button. It still won't run Startup Repair, it won't start Windows normally, it won't start in safe mode.

But worse, I can't find "System Restore" on it anywhere, which is what I want to do!

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

I take it reading from your post you didn't create a set of recovery discs?

As your computer is less than a year old it should be under warranty and as such you could contact Toshiba for a recovery disc. Tell them that your computer won't boot and you didn't create a recovery disc(s).

You can create a system repair disc, which should get you into the Recovery Environment to repair your Windows installation: System Repair Disc - Create

Alternatively you can download a repair disk from Neosmart.

As a workaround, remove your laptop battery, plug in the mains cord, and then try restarting your computer. It worked for my wife's HP laptop.

And once you get your system up and running make sure your first task is to create a Toshiba recovery disc(s).

seavixen32 said:

I take it reading from your post you didn't create a set of recovery discs?

As your computer is less than a year old it should be under warranty and as such you could contact Toshiba for a recovery disc. Tell them that your computer won't boot and you didn't create a recovery disc(s).

When I first got the computer I wasn't told I had to make a set of recovery disks, then when I tried it wanted something like 25 DVDs and I just didn't have that many on me, so I ended up forgetting about it.

I'll ring Toshiba tomorrow, but the main thing I want to know now is - why can't I make it do a System Restore?


EDIT: And maybe I would download those disks if the links weren't broken for copyright clarification.


EDIT 2: And my computer is plugged in and running off mains power, it's always running on mains power.

"...something like 25 DVDs...."

You would be using CDs if you want that many. Had it been DVDs four or five would have been enough.

Have you tried removing the battery? And while you're waiting for Toshiba read the tutorial to create a repair disk.

Startup Repair: frequently asked questions

What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

Press F8, than Repair my Computer.

How to use Toshiba Recovery.
How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility

You can order Toshiba Recovery disks from here:
https://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...rification.jsp