Windows Will Not Boot - Startup Repair Only

[tekstylez]

Ok, so here's the dealio....

At first, Windows would start via Startup Repair and run forever until. out of frustration, I powered down my laptop, restarted, and Windows would load.

Now, Windows WILL NOT start. Instead, Startup Repair Starts and runs... But states that it can not detect any problems.

So, my question is, first of all, What caused this to happen or what could of caused it to happen... Also, how do I get Windows to startup again!?

[Nuclear Krusader]

System specs please.

[tekstylez]

I cant get in to gather that info... But the following is what I gathered from my account page on Dell website.

Hard Drive, 120GB, Serial Ata 9.5, 5.4K, W125
Processor, T5450, 1.66, 2MB, Core Merom, M0
Dual In-Line Memory Module, 1G 667, 128X64, 8, 200, 1GBIT

[tekstylez]

anything?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Which version of Windows?

[tekstylez]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Which version of Windows?

vista

[glc]

Pull the hard drive and connect it to another computer with a USB adapter to recover the files you need. Then reinstall it and follow Dell's instructions for a complete system recovery using the recovery partition.

[tekstylez]

well, it's a laptop... which isnt THAT easy to mess with when it comes to hardware... Upon searching, I found this to be a possible solution to my problem..... Makes sense...?

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Put the Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.

Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

[MikeMoss]

Hi

I know this sounds stupid, but try running startup repair 3 times in a row.
I have heard from many people that this repaired computers that didn't respond to running it only once or twice.

Personally I have never run startup repair and had is say that it fixed anything.
It always says that it couldn't solve the problem, but after running it when I tell it to boot normally the computers usually worked.

The other and probably more fool proof option is to run a repair install of Windows 7 from the original disk.

Repair Install - Windows 7 Forums

This should retain all your setting etc.

Mike

[Nuclear Krusader]

A laptop is actually easier to work with in terms of taking the hard drive out. The solution that G is suggesting allows you to recover your data. If you don't care about your data, then do what you just found: restore and wipe out all your personal files.

[tekstylez]

when running system restore... To reinstall Vista.. It does not detect an HDD

[Nuclear Krusader]

The hard drive might have died. That's why we're suggesting you plug it to another machine and run diagnostics from there. Taking it out will also allow you to see which brand it is and thus download the appropriate set of diagnostics tools.

[tekstylez]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader The hard drive might have died. That's why we're suggesting you plug it to another machine and run diagnostics from there. Taking it out will also allow you to see which brand it is and thus download the appropriate set of diagnostics tools.

Gotcha... will post an update ASAP